Mexican Ambassador to Australia Ernesto Céspedes-Oropeza was invited to the Royal Australian Mint to press new commemorative coins resembling the first-ever coins used in Australia. Photo: Jarryd Rowley.
The Royal Australian Mint is rolling out a unique new coin that stands out for what’s missing: a hole right in the middle.
The new Holey Dollar, to be released to the public on Tuesday (7 September), is a silver coin that honours the unique design and history of Australia’s first minted coins in 1812.
The Royal Australian Mint marked the minting of the non-circulating coin by inviting the Mexican Ambassador to Australia, Ernesto Céspedes-Oropeza, to press some of the coins to honour the 60-year diplomatic history between Australia and Mexico.
During his visit to the Mint, Mr Céspedes-Oropeza revealed that Mexico played a major role in the minting of Australia’s first-ever coins, with the metal originally forged in the North American nation.
“A little bit over 200 years ago, the first Australian coin was actually a Spanish silver coin minted in Mexico City,” Mr Céspedes-Oropeza said.
“They were used for trade between Spain and Asia. Originally, they were forged in Mexico before being placed on Manila galleons departing the Mexican port of Acapulco for the Philippines.
“A lot of countries would rebrand these coins with their own country’s name. The same thing happened in NSW, when their governor (Lachlan Macquarie) imported 40,000 of these Spanish silver dollars.”
The new Holey Dollar. Photo: Supplied.
One of the original Mexican minted coins used in New South Wales. Photo: Supplied.
The new coins will be available for purchase next week for $35. Photo: Jarryd Rowley.
Of the 40,000 original Holey Dollars sent, about 300 are still accounted for worldwide. The rarest of the bunch, a coin minted in 1790 featuring the portrait of Spanish Charles III and his son, Carolus IV, sold for a staggering $450,000 in 2015.
Mr Céspedes-Oropeza said he was honoured to be asked by the Royal Australian Mint to press some of the soon-to-be-sold coins.
“Two hundred years after the original coins travelled across the world, we are celebrating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Australia and Mexico,” he said.
“Both countries were part of the original League of Nations. Both countries were founding members of the United Nations in 1945 and, more recently, the G20.
“Mexico was the first trading partner of Australia in Latin America. Australia is a very important partner when it comes to foreign investment in Mexico.
“Both countries are very proud. There is a lot of history between them, so it is very honoured to be asked to be here today.”
Royal Australian Mint Chief Executive Officer Emily Martin said it was special to have the Mexican Ambassador to Australia be a part of the coin’s launch.
“The Holey Dollar is one of Australia’s most recognisable historical coins, yet many people don’t realise its story begins with silver dollars, many struck in colonial Mexico,” she said.
“This release celebrates 60 years of diplomatic relations between Australia and Mexico while sharing the fascinating story of how our nations became connected more than 200 years earlier.
“It is a wonderful reminder that history can bring people together in the most unexpected ways.”
The newly minted Holey Dollar can be purchased from the Royal Australian Mint shop and partner outlets from Tuesday, 7 September.
