Date: 1927

1927 Morbiducci Threepence in Nickel

Description:

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

• Diameter: 17.75 mm
• Weight: 3.25 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 four specimens in Nickel

• Uncirculated (Unc.), light stains, about as struck

Obverse:

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

Reverse:

• Irish Hare seated upright right, looking back (to the left)
• Legend:
  • · Leath Reul · (Irish for ‘half a sixpence’) in exergue
  • P. MORBIDVCCI (to the right of Hare)
  • The numeral ‘3’ in exergue

Sales History:

• 1976
• Privately acquired through his widow Nicoletta Olga Morbiducci in 1976
  • Price unknown
• 2000
• The Millennial Collection, Whtye´s Dublin, 29 April 2000, Lot 449 (part of)
  • Publio Morbiducci archive collection
    
  • Estimate: £2,000-£2,500
  • Hammer Price: £
• 2011
• Spink Auction 11024, London, Lot 255
  • Hammer Price: £3,600

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?