2026 $1 Holey Dollar Coin

Name: 2026 $1 Holey Dollar Coin
Brand: Royal Australian Mint
SKU: 12243
Price: 35.00 AUD
Availability: InStock

The Royal Australian Mint is proud to present this 2026 $1 ‘Holey Dollar’ Uncirculated Coin that celebrates a little-known link between the origins of Australia’s iconic holey dollar and dump coins and significant contemporary diplomatic anniversary.

In 2026, Australia and Mexico celebrates 60 years of diplomatic relations – a partnership built on cooperation, culture and shared outlooks. Yet the connection between these two nations reaches back far deeper in time. More than 150 years earlier, Spanish silver dollars struck in colonial Mexican mints travelled vast ocean trade routes to the fledgling colony of New South Wales.

Faced with a critical shortage of currency, Governor Lachlan Macquarie authorised their transformation into Australia’s first distinctive coins: the Holey Dollar and Dump. By punching out their centres, these global coins were ingeniously remade to serve a new economy.

Today, this remarkable story of adaption and exchange highlights an enduring link between Australia and Mexico – one forged not only through diplomacy, but through shared history, resourcefulness and the enduring legacy of our coin origins.

Struck by Royal Australian Mint from CuNi, this coin is issued as legal tender under the Australian Currency Act 1965 and has a mintage of 35,000.

DESIGN

The coin’s reverse features a stunning recreation of the reverse of the 1823 holey dollar held in the National Coin Collection, along with an 1813 dump and floral symbols of golden wattle for Australia and dahlia for Mexico. Also features the inscription “ORIGINS OF AUSTRALIAN COIN”.

The coin’s obverse features a detailed recreation of the same 1813 holey dollar’s obverse along with the effigy of His Majesty King Charles III sculpted by Daniel Thorne, monetary denomination and 2026 year-date.

PRESENTATION

The coin comes in blister packaging presented in a thematic presentation card.

Technical Specifications

Year Date	2026
Denomination (AUD)	1.00
Metal Content	CuNi
Mass (g)	12.58
Diameter (mm)	30.00mm outer, 6.00mm inner
Finish	Uncirculated
Maximum Mintage	35,000
Obverse Designer	D. Thorne
Reverse Designer	E. Waterford
Packaging	Blistered coin in card

ABOUT ROYAL AUSTRALIAN MINT

The Royal Australian Mint, established in 1965 through the Royal Australian Mint Act, is the sole producer of Australia's circulating coins. Located in Canberra, it was officially opened on February 22, 1965, by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

Its primary purpose is to produce legal tender coins for circulation, commemorative coins, and other numismatic products, ensuring a stable supply of high-quality coins. The Mint has embraced modern minting technologies, investing in state-of-the-art equipment and techniques.

Known for its innovative designs, the Mint's coins often feature iconic Australian symbols, historical events, and cultural motifs, celebrating the nation's diverse heritage and natural beauty. It issues commemorative coins to mark significant events, anniversaries, and milestones, highly sought after by collectors.

Internationally recognized for excellence in coin production and design, the Mint has won numerous awards and collaborates with mints worldwide. It engages the public through tours, educational programs, exhibitions, and events, promoting numismatic awareness and showcasing its heritage.

Swan Bullion Company is proud to be an authorised distributor for both Royal Australian Mint bullion and numismatic products.