See full images — free registration
Continue with Google — it's free or register with email

5 Shillings - Charles IIII Holey Dollar

Issuer Prince Edward Island
Year 1791-1808
Type Log in to see details
Value 5 Shillings (1/4)
Currency Log in to see details
Composition Log in to see details
Weight Log in to see details
Diameter Log in to see details
Thickness Log in to see details
Shape Log in to see details
Technique Log in to see details
Orientation Log in to see details
Engraver(s) Log in to see details
In circulation to Log in to see details
Reference(s) Log in to see details
Obverse description Log in to see details
Obverse script Log in to see details
Obverse lettering CAROLUS·IIII· · 1800 · DEI·GRATIA
(Translation: Carlos 4th by the grace of God)
Reverse description Log in to see details
Reverse script Log in to see details
Reverse lettering Log in to see details
Edge Reeded
Mint Log in to see details
Mintage Log in to see details
Additional information

The Prince Edward Island Holey Dollar was not minted at all — it was made by punching the center from a Spanish Colonial 8 Reales, producing two usable coins from one: the outer ring (the Holey Dollar, valued at 5 shillings) and the central plug (valued at 1 shilling). The practice was an improvised solution to the chronic coin shortage that plagued the island's economy throughout the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Spanish colonial silver was simply the most abundant foreign coinage circulating in British North America at the time.

The host coins date from the reigns of Charles III and Charles IV of Spain, struck at mints across the Americas. CCT#PE-1A specifically attributes those punched from Charles IV issues.