1813 Dump, struck with the Type A/1 dies

When you look at this Dump in your hand, the design details are crisp and clearly visible to the naked eye. The fields are smooth and reflective and have toned to a beautiful charcoal grey. 

This is a quality example of the nation’s first coin, graded Very Fine, and in the top fifteen per cent. The average quality Dump is graded at Fine, with this coin three grades higher at Very Fine.

Over and above its quality ranking this coin has attributes that are highly prized and the reason why we refer to it as a 'textbook' Dump. It has traits that you simply don't see in every Dump. 

This is a text-book example of the 1813 Dump.

1. A coin to enjoy and show around

Struck with the A/1 dies, the crown is classically well-centred. The design details are chunky, strongly three-dimensional ... and by this we are referring to the crown with its fleur-de-lis and pearls, the legend New South Wales, the date 1813 and on the reverse, the value Fifteen Pence.

2. Evidence of the original Spanish Dollar design, an aspect that really counts

The design detail of the original Spanish Dollar from which this Dump was created is evident on the crown side of the Dump. We refer to it as the under-type and it is not always present. Its existence re-affirms the origins of the Dump and is highly prized.

3. The 'dot' above the '3' in 1813

This Dump shows a 'dot' above the '3' in the date '1813'. This is almost certainly due to a pit in the die and only occurs in those coins struck with the type A/1 dies. And even then it is identified in very few type A/1 examples.

4. Henshall's claim to fame - the elusive 'H' on the reverse

William Henshall declared his involvement in the creation of the Dump by inserting an 'H' into some (but not all) of the dies used during its striking. Its presence is highly prized whenever it is appears. This Dump clearly shows the ‘H’ for Henshall between the 'FIFTEEN' and the 'PENCE' on the reverse.

5. Strong denticles that are rarely seen

The denticles around the edge of the coin are almost complete, a feature that is seldom seen in even the very best examples. A piece of art without a picture frame is a blank canvas ... and the denticles act like a picture frame to the coin and give it substance.

6. Oblique milling

Notice the oblique milling around the edge. It is evident. As our comment, the edge milling was used as deterrent against clipping whereby the unscrupulous shaved off slivers of silver, reducing the silver content of the Dump. And making a small profit on the side.

1813 Dump, struck with the Type A/1 dies 

Price $35,000

Very Fine

Governor Lachlan Macquarie imported 40,000 Spanish Silver Dollars to create Australia’s first coinage, enlisting the services of convicted forger, William Henshall, to complete the task. 

Henshall cut a large hole in the centre of each dollar, thereby creating two coins out of one, the first a holed dollar which was over stamped to become the Holey Dollar. And the second, a circular disc, which was also over stamped to become the Dump. 

It is very clear when you look at a Holey Dollar that it originated from a Spanish Silver Dollar. But that is not often the case with a Dump which is why we like this coin. 

There is very clear evidence of the original Spanish Dollar design on its obverse.