Limited Edition '1810 Hannibal Head Holey Dollar'

A Cool Rarity in Australia’s Coinage Story

The 1810 'Hannibal Head' Holey Dollar isn’t just rare, it comes with one of the wildest backstories in numismatics. First struck in Lima, Peru during Spain’s political upheaval, its portrait of Ferdinand VII was designed in protest against Napoleon’s brother Joseph Bonaparte taking the Spanish throne. The portrait was so exaggerated it became known as the 'Hannibal Head'.

Three years later, the silver dollar made its way to Australia, where ex-convict and former forger William Henshall cut out the centre, overstamped it, and turned it into one of Governor Macquarie’s Holey Dollars. If that wasn’t enough drama, this very coin was later found in a bushranger’s hoard near Hobart in 1881.

Only two Lima Mint 'Hannibal Head' Holey Dollars survive today, and this one is the finest.

Only 30 prints are available, each signed, numbered, and issued with a certificate of authenticity.

Product Details

  • Ultra Limited Edition – Only 30 Giclée prints, signed & numbered

  • Archival Quality – Pigment inks on 310gsm Smooth Cotton Rag paper 

  • Faithful to the Original – Colours carefully matched to the original oil painting

  • Certificate of Authenticity – Each edition logged, photographed, and documented for provenance

  • Secure Shipping – Express Post with tracking in Australia, international options available

The Story Behind the Artwork

Bringing the 'Hannibal Head 'Holey Dollar to life on paper meant drawing one of the most unusual portraits in Australia’s coinage story. The strange, defiant bust of Ferdinand VII tells a tale of rebellion, exile, and reinvention.

Combined with its transformation into a Holey Dollar, and later discovery in a bushranger’s stash - it stands apart as a coin with layers of history few others can match.

This coin also holds a special place in numismatic history as the first Holey Dollar ever drawn and published. An outline appeared in the London Numismatic Chronicle of 1883. Placing that simple sketch alongside my detailed pencil work shows how far the story has travelled: from a black-and-white record to a full artwork collectors can enjoy today.

This artwork preserves that legacy in detail, giving collectors a new way to enjoy one of the best-documented stories in Australia’s Holey Dollar history.


About the Artist

Coinart grew from a love of both fine art and rare coins. With formal art training and years spent in the numismatic world, I’ve found a way to preserve the beauty of historic coins in a form collectors can enjoy every day.

Each artwork is about more than metal. Coinart is about memory, legacy, and keeping the passion for collecting alive, even when coins remain safely stored away.

Coming Soon…

A membership is in the works for people who love coins and want to learn how to create their own Coinart. If this sparks your interest, click below and be first to know when the doors open.

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Shipping

Orders of prints in stock will be dispatched within 2 days of receiving orders, as sending artwork requires time and care.

Some artworks are print to order, in this instance please allow 2 weeks for printing time and postage. If your order is time sensitive, please contact Sarah directly at hello@sarahbraybrook.com

Art works will be sent using the Standard Australia Post service. Art will be packaged either flat between two sheets of cardboard, or in a sturdy postage tube.

Express Post services are available upon request at the cost of that service to you.

All orders are trackable within Australia and Internationally. The current world climate has placed a great strain on postal services, making delivery times vary greatly.

Returns Policy

Sarah Braybrook is committed to providing exceptional art production for every order. Whether a single giclee print, a poster or a collection of prints, every order receives the individualised care it deserves. 

Sarah Braybrook has a no returns policy for change of mind. 

Artwork that is delivered will be free of defects.

In the unfortunate instance that damage to your order occurs during shipping, please email photos of the damaged items to hello@sarahbraybrook.com within 48 hours of receiving your order.

Upon confirmation of damaged goods, a return address will be emailed to you. Please send the damaged items to this address, and a replacement item will be sent to you upon receipt of the damaged order.

In the case you choose to receive a refund for a damaged order, payment will be made directly into your nominated account within 48 hours of receiving your returned item, not including return shipping costs. 

Every endeavour is made to ensure accuracy with the supply of your order. In the regrettable case an error does occur with an item in your order ie. incorrect print size or limited edition number, please contact hello@sarahbraybrook.com immediately for a swift resolution.