Date: 1927

1927 Morbiducci Pattern (Prova / Proof) Sixpence, in Copper.

Description:

Saorstát Éireann (Irish Free State). Morbiducci Irish Sixpence Pattern (Prova / Proof) in Copper. Privately commissioned by Publio Morbiducci and struck at Lorioli Castelli’s (Milan) mint for the Irish Coin Design Competition of 1927.

• Diameter: 21 mm
• Weight: 3.58 g

References:

• Brady, Gerard, “The Morbiducci Patterns, An Enquiry,” in NumCirc LXXXIV.6 (June 1976), p. 236-8, 28-31
• cf. KM Pr5 (nickel)

Extremely Rare – Brady knew of only four specimens in copper

Obverse:

• Large Irish Harp
• Legend:
  • · Saorstát Éireann · (above)
  • 1927 (date below)
  • Prova (Italian for ‘proof’) to the right of the harp

Reverse:

• Irish Wolfhound standing towards the left; head reverted
• Legend:
  • · Reul · (Irish for ‘sixpence’) in exergue
  • Numeral ‘6’ below
  • P. MORBIDVCCI. (above wolfhound)

Sales History:

• Heritage World Coin Auctions, NYINC Signature Sale 3051, Lot Number:
  • 8-9 January, 2017
  • Estimate:
    • $4,000 US
  • Hammer Price:
    • $5,000 US
• Dixon Noonan & Webb, London, Lot Number: 552
  • 7th December, 2011
  • Estimate:
    • £2,000 – £2,500
  • Hammer Price:
    • £4,600

Country:

• Ireland
  • Irish Free State

Category:

• Modern Irish Coinage
  • Morbiducci Pattern (Prova/Proof)
  • 1927 Irish Coin Design Competition

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
  • O’Brien Coin Guide: Albert Power’s Irish Coin Designs (1927)
  • O’Brien Coin Guide: Oliver Sheppard’s Irish Coin Designs (1927)
  • O’Brien Coin Guide: Jerome Connor’s Irish Coin Designs (1927)
  • O’Brien Coin Guide: Carl Milles’ Irish Coin Designs (1927)
  • O’Brien Coin Guide: Publio Morbiducci’s Irish Coin Designs & Proof/Patterns (1927)
    • Alloy Varieties of the Morbiducci Proof/Patterns (1927)
  • O’Brien Coin Guide: Paul Manship’s Irish Coin Designs (1927)
  • O’Brien Coin Guide: Percy Metcalfe’s Irish Coin Designs (1927)

Web Pages:

• Modern Irish Coins
  • Mintage & Specifications of Ireland’s Euro, Decimal and Pre-Decimal Coins
• Irish Coin Catalogue
  • Latest Irish Coin Market Values
  • What are your coins worth?