Date: c. 1647 Description: Charles I, Southern Cities of Refuge, Bandon Bridge octagonal farthing (copper) Weight: 2.32g Diameter: 14mm Unrecorded in literature but similar to an ‘undated’ Bandon Bridge farthing References: cf. D&F 316 and SCBC 6560 Overall, about very fine. (aVF) Extremely rare An unrecorded ‘dated’ issue Obverse: Crudely struck emergency coinage with the…
Date: c. 1647 Description: Charles I, Southern Cities of Refuge, Cork Round Farthing (copper) Weight: 2.33g References: cf. S 6562B; cf. DF 331-3; cf. SCBI Norweb 6214 About very fine. (aVF) Extremely rare Obverse: Crudely struck emergency coinage with the legend “CORKE” across field, crown above, crossed palm leaves below, all within beaded border Reverse:…
Date: 1814 and 1816 ??? Description: Very rare Edward Bewley’s (Dublin) copper penny token dated both 1814 (the year of Wellington’s final victory in Spain, his invasion of SW France and the abdication of Napoleon) and 1816. Hailed as the conquering hero by the British, on 3 May 1814 Wellington was made Duke of Wellington,…
Introduction: The Elizabethan series of Anglo-Irish coinage is a somewhat neglected space in terms of numismatic research since many of her issues were relatively small and their survival rate poor. As such, the availability of suitable study material is limited. The British Museum’s holdings are relatively modest The National Museum of Ireland only has a…
Date: 1927 Description: Saorstát Éireann (Irish Free State). Morbiducci Irish Penny Pattern (Prova / Proof) in Copper-Aluminium. Privately commissioned by Publio Morbiducci and struck at Lorioli Castelli’s (Milan) mint for the Irish Coin Design Competition of 1927. Diameter: 31 mm Weight: ? g References: Not listed in any of the catalogues Unknown to Brady when…
Introduction: In 1809, the British defeated the French fleet in Zakynthos (October 2, 1809) captured Kefallonia, Kythera and Zakynthos, and took Lefkada in 1810. The French held out in Corfu until 1814. The Treaty of Paris in 1815 turned the islands into the “United States of the Ionian Islands” under British protection (November 5, 1815)…
Introduction: GB & Ireland copper halfpennies (1825-60) are very sought after by collectors. They are often found in attic clearances and car boot sales in Ireland. The comparatively soft metal results in few coins surviving in higher grades. Many varieties exist and the main ones have been listed below. Like his brother (George IV), William…
Background: In 1825, in the middle of the reign of King George IV, the long-planned “customs and monetary” union of Great Britain and Ireland was enacted. Prior to this date, no halfpennies were issued in the name of George IV, so his first copper halfpenny incorporated an Irish theme into the design, i.e. there is…
Introduction: GB & Ireland copper pennies (1825-60) are very sought after by collectors. They are often found in attic clearances and car boot sales in Ireland. The comparatively soft metal results in few coins surviving in higher grades. Many varieties exist and the main ones have been listed below. William IV William IV became king…
Introduction: GB & Ireland copper pennies (1825-60) are very sought after by collectors. They are often found in attic clearances and car boot sales in Ireland. The comparatively soft metal results in few coins surviving in higher grades. Many varieties exist and the main ones have been listed below. Victorian Copper Pennies: Victoria became Queen…
The Old Currency Exchange is a specialist dealer and valuer of Irish & GB coins, tokens and banknotes 