A rare piece of Australian history has just hit the market, expected to fetch close to $300,000. 

The holey dollar was the first currency made in Australia, first circulated by Governor Lachlan Macquarie.

The coins were struck in 1813, stamped over the top of Spanish silver dollars by a convicted forger, enlisted by Governor Macquarie.

Coin Works managing director Belinda Downie joined Joe Hildebrand to explain more about these fascinating coins.

“If you look at history … the introduction of the holey dollar was really that point at which [Australia] was no longer a penal colony,” she said.

Press PLAY below to hear more about the sale of this rare piece of Australian antiquity

Image: Getty