ffrench’s Bank was probably, the most famous of the provincial private banks in Ireland and due to the frequency that they turn up at auction, they are amongst the most collectible of early Irish banknotes. The bank was founded in late 1803 by Sir Thomas ffrench and William Keary. The correct form for the surname is “double f” in lower case, i.e. ffrench. Sir…
During the Irish War of Independence, the City of Limerick was very unusual insofar as it issued its own currency – a series of low denomination banknotes. It is the only instance of a labour organisation doing so, not on in Ireland but also throughout the UK. It is the first physical sign in a…
The ‘chickless’ variety is probably a die flaw caused by normal ‘wear and tear’ on the dies during the minting process. This variety has become very popular with collectors over the past decade and some claim to have evidence of “progressive wear across several examples of 1968 pennies” leading to a chickless coin. The most…
The 1961 ‘mule’ halfcrown was struck in error (or, possibly deliberately) from a reverse die from the 1928-37 type. In 1938 the halfcrown reverse – the side with the horse on it – had been redesigned to improve the striking characteristics of the coin. A single example of the 1938 trial of the new die…
The Old Currency Exchange is a specialist dealer and valuer of Irish & GB coins, tokens and banknotes 