HOLDING a single coin worth hundreds of thousands of dollars in the palm of a gloved hand certainly comes with a sense of responsibility.

“Everyone is fascinated about money. Whether you’re making it, losing it or looking at it,” said Belinda Downie, managing director of Coinworks in South Yarra.

“They think we’re boring and stuffy, but it’s an interesting industry. We’re a passionate industry.”

Just recently Ms Downie’s company sold one of Australia’s most desirable coins, the 1813 Holey Dollar, for a world record-breaking $550,000.

“They’re over 200 years old and they’ve almost never been touched. Why shouldn’t they be worth the high-dollar value?” Ms Downie said.

type_quote_start “Everyone is fascinated about money. Whether you’re making it, losing it or looking at it.” — Belinda Downie. type_quote_end

More than $100 million worth of rare coins and banknotes have been sold through her Toorak Rd business since it opened in 2000.

And while the high value of the items she deals with certainly attract the public’s attention, Ms Downie said the most intriguing aspect behind each piece was its history.

“I often say to people that we get publicity because of the dollar value (of sales),” she said.

“They’re pieces of metal, but they’re reflecting a point in time.”

media_camera The 1813 Holey Dollar worth $550,000 and a 1813 Dump coin worth $250,000. Picture: Janine Eastgate.

Since marrying into the profession, Ms Downie has established her own business at the forefront of the industry in Australia.

She has met avid collectors including tradesmen, executives and even a client she fondly referred to as a “bikie”.

A few of her clients have built strong family bonds by passing coins down through each generation.

Some pieces even seemed to hold as much sentimental value as financial, with people considering them heirlooms.

“I wish people would view coins as something to pass down to children,” Ms Downie said.