A rare 19th-century ring worth at least €319,000 that was stolen from a museum in Poland has been returned after turning up in Australia.
The 1813 Holey Dollar disappeared from the museum in the north-central city of Toruń along with 400 numismatic coins between 2011 and 2018, sparking an international police hunt.
Made from a 1777 Spanish Silver Dollar, the Holey Dollar was minted in Mexico during the reign of Spain’s King Charles III.
It was bought in Amsterdam by Polish collector Walery Amrogowicz in 1914 to enrich his collection of over 2,000 coins and donated to the Scientific Society in Toruń in 1931.
Following his death the same year it was sent to the city’s District Museum.
After its theft, Police managed to track the coin through Germany via two auction sales before it appeared in Melbourne where it was sold at auction to a collector in Perth for €319,000.
Posting on its website, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) said: “On 26 August, 2024, the AFP, in cooperation with the Australian Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts (the Department), seized the coin in Perth after the owner was identified through its most recent seller, an Australian company specialising in rare coins.”
AFP Commander Renee Colley said the handover was a landmark for relations between Australian law enforcement and the Polish government, adding: “The AFP is delighted to have played a role in returning this important artifact to the Polish Government.”
The coin was officially handed over to Polish representatives on 14 February 2025 at a ceremony at the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Canberra.
Poland’s Chargé d’affaires Marcin Kawałowski said: “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.”
Made from a 1777 Spanish Silver Dollar, the Holey Dollar was minted in Mexico during the reign of Spain’s King Charles III.
It was bought in Amsterdam by Polish collector Walery Amrogowicz in 1914 to enrich his collection of over 2,000 coins and donated to the Scientific Society in Toruń in 1931.
Following his death the same year it was sent to the city’s District Museum.
After its theft, Police managed to track the coin through Germany via two auction sales before it appeared in Melbourne where it was sold at auction to a collector in Perth for €319,000.
Posting on its website, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) said: “On 26 August, 2024, the AFP, in cooperation with the Australian Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts (the Department), seized the coin in Perth after the owner was identified through its most recent seller, an Australian company specialising in rare coins.”
AFP Commander Renee Colley said the handover was a landmark for relations between Australian law enforcement and the Polish government, adding: “The AFP is delighted to have played a role in returning this important artifact to the Polish Government.”
The coin was officially handed over to Polish representatives on 14 February 2025 at a ceremony at the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Canberra.
Poland’s Chargé d’affaires Marcin Kawałowski said: “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.”
The Holey Dollar is also considered important to Australia as Holey Dollars were made to solve a coin shortage in New South Wales.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
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