In a tale that could inspire anyone to rummage through their old coin collections, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) is making headlines after tracking down and returning a historic coin worth a staggering $525,000 to the Polish government.
The rare 1813 Holey Dollar coin, which was pilfered from a Polish museum, found its way into the hands of an unsuspecting Perth collector, sparking an international detective story that highlights the intricate world of valuable collectables.
The coin’s journey began with its theft from the Regional Museum of Toruń in Poland, sometime between 2011 and 2018. Polish authorities, determined to recover their national treasure, launched a global investigation that traced the coin’s path from Poland to Germany, where it was put up for auction not once, but twice.
The trail then led to Melbourne, Australia, where the coin was purchased by a Perth collector for the hefty sum of $525,000.
The AFP, working in tandem with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, seized the coin in Perth in August last year. The discovery was made possible through the identification of the coin’s most recent seller, an Australian company known for dealing with rare coins.
A rare 1813 Holey Dollar – the first currency minted in 🇦🇺 – returns to 🇵🇱! Presented by T.H. @Tony_Burke to the 🇵🇱 side, this historic coin was once part of Poland’s collection but went missing. Now, thanks to great 🇦🇺🇵🇱cooperation (@AusFedPolice among others), it’s coming home pic.twitter.com/2qnPGHV3oj
— Poland in Australia (@PLinAustralia) February 14, 2025
In a turn of good fortune and honesty, the coin was surrendered to the AFP without resistance.
In a statement that must have brought relief to the collector and the auction house involved, an AFP spokesperson announced, ‘It is not expected any Australian-based individuals will face criminal charges, as all local transactions were made in good faith. All parties were unaware at the time the coin had been stolen.’
The historic coin was formally handed back to representatives of the Polish government by Arts Minister Tony Burke in a ceremony at the Embassy of Poland on 14 February, marking a significant moment in Australian law enforcement history.
This event is believed to be the first instance of Australian authorities arranging the return of a cultural object to Poland.
Today we celebrate the official handover ceremony of the 1813 Holey Dollar back to 🇵🇱. With T.H. @Tony_Burke, Minister for the Arts 🇦🇺 and @MartaCienkowska, Deputy Minister of Culture and National Heritage of 🇵🇱, this event marks the return of a long-lost treasure @kultura_gov_pl pic.twitter.com/87TR1Wo85s
— Poland in Australia (@PLinAustralia) February 14, 2025
The 1813 Holey Dollar holds immense significance not only to Poland and the Regional Museum of Toruń for its historical, cultural, and monetary value but also to Australia. The coin was initially struck from a Spanish silver dollar produced at the Mexico Mint in 1777 during the reign of King Charles III of Spain.
Holey Dollars were created to address a shortage of coins in the then-colony of New South Wales, making them an important part of Australian numismatic history.
Marcin Kawałowski, Poland’s chargé d’affaires in Australia, lauded the AFP’s efforts, stating, ‘As a diplomat, I obviously recognise the importance of official agreements and political declarations, but it gives me great satisfaction when I can witness the practical dimension of successful bilateral cooperation.’
This remarkable story serves as a reminder of the potential value hidden in coin collections and the importance of due diligence when acquiring rare items. It also underscores the collaborative efforts of international law enforcement and cultural institutions in preserving and returning stolen artefacts to their rightful homes.
Have you ever come across a rare find in your collection? Share your stories with the YourLifeChoices community in the comments below.
Also read: Could a rare dime be sitting in your wallet? It’s worth up to 100 times more!
