Contemporary damage to flan on the obverse

Size
Diameter 19.34mm : Weight 5.86gms

Medium
Coins, Monies & Stamps

Literature
The history of the NSW 1813 Dumps has long been recorded, but it wasn’t until 1974 that Dr W.D. ‘Bill’ Mira introduced a more scientific alpha-numeric classification system for the official silver Dumps. Initially identifying four types—A1, D2, E3, and C4—he estimated their survival rates at 70%, 25%, 3%, and 2%, respectively. This system quickly replaced the looser adjectival terms previously in use and remains the benchmark for identifying Dumps today. Mira’s classification also helped identify the ‘sinister’ Dump displayed by Coleman Hyman at the 1893 Chicago Exposition as a rare Type C. To understand the sequence of Dump production, however, one must also consider the unofficial copper Dumps that circulated in Sydney at the time. Around 20–30 copper forgeries have survived, many unearthed in 1927 during construction works. All were struck from the same crude dies, likely by a single forger using British pennies and coated in a silvery lead wash to mimic silver Dumps. Not all copper Dumps were forgeries, though. Mira held both D2 and E3 types struck in copper, which precisely mirrored official silver strikings. He speculated these were trial strikes by William Henshall—perhaps commissioned by Governor Macquarie to test the dies and machinery. This theory gained weight in 2007 with the discovery of a Holey Dollar struck on a 1799 British halfpenny found on Vancouver Island, accompanied by a now-lost copper Dump. Both may have been souvenired by Henshall, and are the only Holey Dollar and Dump known to possibly be a matched pair. Metal analysis confirms that Mira’s copper E3 Dump had a silvery lead wash—supporting the trial theory. The trial coins were likely convincing enough to be used in circulation, as their worn condition suggests. Interestingly, recent comparisons between a well-preserved copper forgery and a genuine D2 Dump revealed striking similarities in the design details—especially in the crowns and lettering—raising the question: did Henshall retain some of the punches used in official production? Circumstantial evidence is strong. Though never proven, Henshall was punished harshly for a minor offence, perhaps due to suspicion of forgery, and later disappeared from records after sailing for England. Intriguingly, many Henshalls are buried on Vancouver Island. Mira identified A1 as the most common type, but likely not the first. The rougher C4 and E3 designs appear more experimental. The sequence likely began with E3, followed by C4, with the more refined A1 and D2 produced later. However, this theory is complicated by new discoveries. A unique brass A1 Dump recently surfaced, exhibiting both serifed and block lettering. This trial bridges the A1(a) and A1(c) types and reveals Henshall’s efforts to simplify reverse lettering. Its obverse has a diagnostic pimple above the ‘3’ in the date, found only on later A1(c) coins. This suggests a progression: A1(a) → A1(b) (brass) → A1(c). Even more revealing is a previously unknown copper Dump that may fill the ‘missing link’ in Mira’s typology—the elusive ‘B’ type. This B5 trial has a hybrid obverse combining elements of A1 and D2 designs, but a unique crown and numeral styles, including a distinctive '3'. The reverse also features a highly stylised serifed font, unlike any recognised type, showing signs of recutting. Metal testing again reveals a silvery wash. Though no B5 silver coins are known, this unique trial may have served as a reference for Henshall in his transition between obverse and reverse styles. It supports the theory that D2 preceded A1, as B5 appears to evolve towards the A1 design. On this basis, we propose the likely production order: E3 (copper) → E3 (silver) → C4(a) (silver) → D2 (copper) → D2 (silver) → B5 (copper) → C4(b) (silver) → A1(a) (silver) → A1(b) (brass + silver) → A1(c) (silver). To complete the picture, contemporary copper forgeries—likely by Henshall himself—deserve a place at the tail end of this sequence. In a currency-starved penal colony, these forgeries formed part of everyday commerce, much like the unofficial promissory notes of the time. Of course, this timeline remains provisional. Institutional collections, including the Mitchell Library, may hold as-yet-unresearched Dumps that could reshape our understanding. My conclusions are drawn from 40 years of hands-on coin trading and personal study, but new discoveries always have the potential to rewrite the story. — Mark Duff, Smalls Auctions