The halfpenny (½d) (Irish: leath phingin) was the second-lowest value coin of the pre-decimal Irish pound. There were 2 to a penny, 24 to a shilling, 48 to a florin and 480 to a pound. First issued in 1928 it ceased to be legal tender on 1 August 1969, although they were readily accepted by shopkeepers until decimal…
Ireland is one of only four nations to issue farthing coins in the 20th century. The other three countries to circulate farthings were the UK (1900-1956), South Africa (1923-60), and Jamaica (1900-63). British farthings ceased to be legal currency in 1960 The farthings of South Africa, Jamaica and Ireland ceased to be legal currency in 1961, 1969…
In 1922 Ireland won its independence from Britain after a two-year War of Independence and protracted negotiations in London. The team, authorized to negotiate on behalf of Dáil Eireann, signed a treaty and, after ratification by ‘simple majority’ in the Dáil and by a referendum vote by the Irish people, the Irish Free State was…
Introduction The Irish government began minting the original 10p coin two years prior to Decimal Day, 15 February 1971, hence the first 10p coins were dated 1969 and 1971 – when they were first circulated. These coins retained the exact design and dimensions (except denomination) of the old (pre-decimal) florin coin, first introduced to the…
Introduction There are two facets of grading coins that are frequently discussed at coin fairs and exhibitions – condition and rarity ! The former is relatively straight forward (albeit subject to several different standards) whereas the latter is often the subject of spirited debate. In order to address both, I will deal with them separately. …
No smoker really believes that smoking actually harms them, otherwise they would stop. I recently bought a batch of old banknotes that were hanging up on a pub wall. The notes that were there for a ‘short time’ were re-saleable. The notes that had been there for a ‘longer time’, absorbing second-hand smoke, were un-saleable. …
Being born in 1960, I am very comfortable with currency changes since during my lifetime I have used three completely different currencies. Of course, there was a subtle change in 1978 when the money in our pockets stayed the same but the banknotes changed design. Although things went on as before in Ireland, our new…
Piedfort is a term used by numismatists to describe coins specially struck as either gifts or souvenirs by monarchs as far back as the twelfth century in France. In England, the monarchs being of French blood, continued the tradition – most notably by Edward I, who issued extra thick silver pennies. Since minting coins was…
The Old Currency Exchange is a specialist dealer and valuer of Irish & GB coins, tokens and banknotes 