The Central Bank of Ireland has opened its archives to the public for the first time and we hope that many unanswered questions of Irish numismatic interest can, at last, be answered. These archives include a range of materials created and acquired by the bank – such as objects, documents and ledgers dating from 1786…
I don’t usually review books on Irish coinage but this one is an exception. Gerry Slevin, a native of Dublin, has just published the best book on Irish hammered coinage to date. It is filled with essential information, great photographs and a comprehensive set of legend and die variations. Gerry has previously published books on…
Date: c. 950 – 1050 AD Description: A ‘hammered’ Viking Silver Trade Ingot, 10th-11th century AD – a rectangular-section ingot of silver with irregular ends. This ingot has been ‘worked’ into its current shape / dimensions via hammering on an anvil, i.e. flattened, elongated profile. Weight: 11 grams Length: 70mm (approx. 2.75 inches) Country: Ireland Category:…
Date: c. 1195 Description: John De Courcy, Lord of Ulster (1177-1205), Farthing, anonymous issue, Downpatrick Mint, 0.36g (Withers Downpatrick 1; D.F. 47; S.6225). Very Fine (VF) Toned, nicely preserved specimen for type Extremely Rare Obverse: Processional cross within beaded circle +PATRICII Reverse: Short cross potent with crescents in angles, within beaded circle +DE DVNO Country:…
Date: c. 1605-06 Description: James I, 2nd Coinage. Irish Shilling, no date, but the mint mark: Rose denotes the year 1605-06. Struck at the Tower Mint, London. Weight: 4.35 grams. . Fine to Very Fine (F / VF) References: S.6515 / DF 261 Obverse: Crowned (third) bust of James I, facing right. The third bust can be…
For many collectors the topic of coin grading is a vexing one – it often seems so subjective and inconsistent. Of course, the most common and obvious targets for their ire are the dealers and auctioneers who, by way of describing their wares, are forced to commit their opinions of grade to paper. No ‘absolute’…
Introduction In 1926, the Minister for Finance set up a special committee of persons with artistic knowledge to advise on the designs and he chose Senator W. B. Yeats to chair it. At the first meeting of the committee, on the 17th June 1926, Joseph Brennan (at that time Secretary to the Department of Finance and later Chairman…
Introduction After Edward III, there was a gap in Irish coin production of over 120 years. What caused this? Was it an economic or political decision, or a combination of several different causal factors? Did the causal factors occur before and/or during the reign of Edward III ??? No coins would be minted in Ireland for…
Caveat emptor According to a recent report by the Numismatic Society of Ireland, several examples of this scarce (key date) halfcrown have appeared on the market, so buyers need to be extra vigilant when offered what may look like a bargain from an unusual source. Needless to say, an eBay seller “with little of no…
Caveat emptor Coin forgers have been with us for over a thousand years but this crime is no longer punishable in the medieval way, e.g. in the “Purge of the Moneyers” by Henry I at Christmas 1124, all of the English moneyers were summoned to Winchester, where most of them were castrated and had the…
The Old Currency Exchange is a specialist dealer and valuer of Irish & GB coins, tokens and banknotes 