1928-43 Florin, struck on large silver fragment (reverse only). The Old Currency Exchange, Dublin, Ireland.

O’Brien Coin Guide: Irish Pre-Decimal Florin Errors & Varieties

Introduction: This post is a continuation of the research work done by Derek Young and Prof. G.F. Mitchell – first published in the Irish Numismatics magazine. Sadly, this excellent magazine is no longer available and quite difficult to source. The information in this post relates to ‘minting errors’ on Irish pre-decimal florins. According to a…

1968 Irish penny flan error E16i - struck in nickel-brass instead of bronze, with a copy of a letter, dated 3rd April 1975, from Royal Mint confirming it was an error. Very rare, uncirculated.

O’Brien Coin Guide: Irish Pre-Decimal Penny Errors & Varieties

Introduction: This post is a continuation of the research work done by Derek Young and Prof. G.F. Mitchell – first published in the Irish Numismatics magazine. Sadly, this excellent magazine is no longer available and quite difficult to source. The information in this post relates to ‘minting errors’ on Irish pre-decimal pennies. According to a…

How to identify the Irish chickless penny variety ireland coins coinage

O’Brien Coin Guide: How to identify the Irish “Chickless” Penny Variety

The ‘chickless’ variety is probably a die flaw caused by normal ‘wear and tear’ on the dies during the minting process.  This variety has become very popular with collectors over the past decade and some claim to have evidence of “progressive wear across several examples of 1968 pennies” leading to a chickless coin. The most…