Stolen 1813 Holey Dollar Worth $525,000 Returned to Poland with AFP Assistance
A rare 1813 Holey Dollar, stolen from a Polish museum and later sold at auction for $525,000 in Australia, has been successfully returned to Poland with the assistance of the Australian Federal Police (AFP).
This marks the first time Australian law enforcement has facilitated the return of a stolen cultural artifact to the European nation.
The coin was originally part of a museum collection in Toruń, Poland, before it was reported missing sometime between 2011 and 2018. Polish authorities tracked its movement across multiple countries, identifying that it had surfaced in Germany and was subsequently sold at auction. From there, it found its way to Melbourne, Australia, where it was purchased by a collector in Perth.
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On August 26, 2024, the AFP, working alongside the Australian Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, seized the coin in Perth after tracing its most recent sale through an Australian rare coin dealer.
The coin was willingly surrendered, and no Australian-based individuals are expected to face charges, as all transactions within Australia were made in good faith by unaware buyers.
The formal request for the coin’s return was submitted in June 2023 under the Protection of Movable Cultural Heritage Act 1986, which provides a legal framework for repatriating cultural objects that have been illegally exported from other nations.
The Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage presented strong evidence confirming the coin’s stolen status and
its protected status under Polish cultural property laws.
The 1813 Holey Dollar holds significant historical, cultural, and monetary value for Poland and the Regional Museum of Toruń.
It was originally struck from a Spanish Silver Dollar minted in 1777 at the Mexico Mint during the reign of King Charles III of Spain. Notably, Holey Dollars were an important part of Australia’s early currency system, created to address a coin shortage in the colony of New South Wales.
AFP Commander Renee Colley emphasized the importance of this international cooperation:
“This is the first object for which the Australian Government has received a restitution request from the Government of the Republic of Poland. The AFP is delighted to have played a role in returning this important artifact to the Polish Government. Our collaboration with international law enforcement to track stolen cultural property has led to fantastic results such as this one.”
The handover ceremony took place at the Embassy of the Republic of Poland on February 14, 2025, with the Hon Tony Burke MP, Minister for the Arts, formally presenting the coin to Polish representatives.
Chargé d’affaires a.i. of the Republic of Poland, Marcin Kawałowski, acknowledged the efforts of the AFP in ensuring the coin’s return:
“As a diplomat, I recognize the importance of official agreements, but it is deeply rewarding to witness the tangible results of successful bilateral cooperation. Today, we commend the Australian Federal Police for their commitment to retrieving the lost Holey Dollar.”
The story of this coin’s journey—from a stolen artifact to a high-profile auction and ultimately back to its rightful home—highlights the complexities of the rare coin trade and the importance of due diligence when acquiring historic pieces. Collectors and dealers alike are reminded of the need to verify provenance when purchasing rare numismatic treasures.
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Further Reading
Rum Rebellion: a Study of the Overthrow of Governor Bligh by John Macarthur and the New South Wales Corps, 1937 Hardcover, 2021 by Herbert Vere 1894-1965 Evatt
Rum Rebellion, 1981 reprint of 1943 classic by H.V. Evatt
Mutiny on the Bounty: A saga of sex, sedition, mayhem and mutiny, and survival against extraordinary odds, 2020 by Peter FitzSimons
Pirate Guide to Collecting Australian Coins: 2023/2024 Edition, November 2, 2023 by Damian Walker
Renniks Australian Coin & Banknote Values 31st Edition Hardcover
A Guide Book of United States Coins 2022 75th Edition Spiral-bound by Garrett, Jeff, Bowers
Paper Money – North America – Australia – Oceania: COLOR PHOTOGRAPHY Paper money – Old and Rare Banknote (Banknotes of the world)
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