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…
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…
The new Irish 20p coin In 1982 the then Minister for Finance, Ray MacSharry, announced that a twenty or twenty-five pence coin might be designed and in August 1984 the twenty pence was chosen. The Arts Council of Ireland recommended the horse design. The twenty pence (20p) coin was introduced on 30th October 1986. It was first…
In 1937, a new constitution declaring Ireland a free state was established and the old designs for the coins of Ireland that featured the legend “Saorstat Eireann” or Irish Free State were changed to “Eire” to reflect the new constitution. The only known 1938 coins to feature that revised legend are: one halfcrown (currently unique…
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. …
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…
The Old Currency Exchange is a specialist dealer and valuer of Irish & GB coins, tokens and banknotes 