Date: 1927

1927 Morbiducci Pattern (Prova / Proof), Shilling in Cupro-Nickel.

Description:

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

• Diameter:  23.6 mm
• Weight: 4.77 g

References:

• Brady, SNC June 1976, p.238, no.21, this coin
• Not listed in any of the other catalogues; SCBC –;  D&F –;  KM –

Extremely Rare – only three specimens in Cupro-Nickel

Obverse:

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

Reverse:

• Bull, standing towards the right, head down, ready to charge
• Legend:
  • · Schilling · (Irish for ‘shilling’) in exergue
  • P. MORBIDVCCI (above bull)

Sales History:

• Dixon Noonan & Webb, London
• Auction: The Norwich Collection
• Date of Auction: 30th June 2004
  • Estimate:
    • £3,000 – £4,000
  • Hammer Price:
    • £3,500

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?