Post your coins from Ireland

I like circulated coins too. They definitely have more character. Irish revolutionary shilling and crown - 1640s (with a U.S. quarter for scale) The crown is a thick, heavy coin.

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

There are commemorative euro coins (€2), and those do circulate. The others are collector coins, and those do not circulate, and are not supposed to circulate. Unlike the "real" euro coins, they are legal tender in the issuing member state only, and they are usually surcharged.

Then again, Ireland has quite monotonous circulation coins - nothing but the harp for each denomination. Also, the country does not issue any country specific commemorative coins at all. Maybe that makes the silver and gold collector coins (proof only) more attractive for some ...

Christian

 

A 6 shilling token, 1-1/2 shilling token and a 1556 groat

 

I have never found anything other than regular Euro coins in circulation in the Republic. I am not sure about definitions but in the pre-Decimal era, there was only the 1966 Coin which is commemorative.
And as far as I know the 1988 Dublin cereoin is the only one in the pre-Euro era. This was circulated and shows up often. I think there was also a normal 50p coin in 1988.
I think commemorative coins are at a disadvantage to commemorative stamps. Stamps do travel outside a country in a way that coins dont.
But they are also more obvious on an envelope than a commemorative coin in change.

 

As for the terms regarding euro coins, see here. Around here, in western Germany or the eastern Netherlands, I do get and spend commemorative €2 coins. The "German States" series for example has a volume of 30 million per issue, and the Dutch Throne Change coin in 2013 had about 20 million. But of course a piece such as the Police Anniversary commem from Malta (with a mintage of 300,000) will be much less common.

This year the euro countries plan to issue another "common commem" (European Flag), and that is the only type of commemorative coin that Ireland issues. So you may come across that one in a few months.

Christian

 

Here are two from my collection:

 

I have the 15 euro it's one of my favorites such a clean image and so well done. I never would sell it for any amount. There's a dog and salmon 2011 &2012 I believe.

 

I found a coin lot that had a 1964 Irish shilling.

 

Phase 2 of Irish Coins are the Decimal Issues...Ireland and Britain went decimal on the same date in February 1971. Both being in a sterling area, the Irish coins circulated with British coins in the North of Ireland. There was no problem until Ireland left "sterling" and established the "Punt".
"Punt" is simply the Irish word for "Pound" so the word often confuses people outside Ireland.
The problem was that after the Punt was established, both sets of coins could still be used in vending machines, phone boxes etc.
So it was deemed necessary to re-size some coins.
The half penny is surprisingly difficult to find. I have yet to see it in junk shops. It was tiny, useless and withdrawn from circulation long before the Euro.
Ireland has no tradition of "commemorative coins" but some 50p and €1 coins are special issues.
The pic below is my Decimal Coins. I am actively trying to find these circulated coins in Belfast and Dublin market stalls.
Briefly this is (I think) a list of years/issues and the number that I have.
Halfpenny....8 years issued. (I have none)
1p ......20 years (I have 13)
2p.......16 years (I have 13)
5p.......19 years (I have 13)
10p .....20 years (I have 10)
20p .....10 years (I have 5.....the first 20p is very rare).
50p .....19 years (I have 9)
€1........9 years (I have 1)

 

Here's my July, 1690 doublestruck Irish 1/2 crown (Gunmoney)


Bill

 

Dea-Lá. Shona Lá Fhéile Pádraig!

I hope everyone has a safe St. Patrick's Day. Here are some of my Irish sweethearts:

 

One of these days I am going to get this imaging application right. I tried media and think I was too cute. Happy St. Patrick's Day

 

You have to love that one, Bill. Where did you come across it?

Bruce

 

As a student of Jacobite history, I find Gun Money fascinating.

 

Thanks, Bruce. I've had this doublestrike so long that I've forgotten where I got it.

Records say it cost a whopping $25 (back when a dollar was a dollar, I guess).


Bill

 

A bargain, Bill...then and now. Congrats.

Bruce

 

You've inspired me to try to scan and post photos of my Irish collection. It will likely take me weeks to get it done, but here's the first: Farthings.

 

Here are my Irish pennies

 

Here are my half pennies.