Date: 1927

Description:

Country:

• Ireland

Category:

• Irish Free State / Saorstát Éireann
  • Pattern

Notes:

This is a ‘pattern’ coin entered by the Roman sculptor Publio Morbiducci (1889-1963) for the competition to design Ireland’s new money in 1928. Although unsuccessful, Morbiducci’s designs are considered to be some of the finest in terms of their classical Italianate forms.

• Gerard Brady: “an ageless character and beauty”

Struck by the Milanese medallists Lorioli Castelli (later known as Lorioli Fratelli), the precise numbers of pieces which exist are uncertain, although the best previously published estimates were by Brady in 1976

• At that time, Brady recorded 3 bronze + 3 silver examples of this pattern
• This coin is not listed by the major catalogues, except KM

Further Reading:

• Blog Post – The controversial 1927 Irish coin design competition
• Blog Post – How the Irish coin designs of 1928 influenced modern international coin design