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Ireland ½ Penny 1971 - Bird on the Rocks

Ireland · 1971 · ½ penny
Circulating coinCommonVF · Very fine
€0.61estimate in VF
100,500,000coins minted
N3284 KM21 Sp6699
JSReference number JSJS-C3AEC
Circulating coin

Low-value decimal coin, introduced on Decimal Day.

The coin's story

This coin was introduced at the decimalisation of the Irish currency. Because of its low value, it was withdrawn from circulation and demonetised in 1987.

    ObverseThe Harp

    ÉIRE 1971
    Design
    The traditional Celtic harp (cláirseach), the national emblem of Ireland, facing left. It is inspired by the Brian Boru harp (Trinity College).
    Legend
    The name of the country, ÉIRE, is inscribed on the left and the date 1971 on the right.

    PMEngraved by Percy Metcalfe

    ReverseBird on the Rocks

    ½ P
    Design
    A stylised bird (of no specific species) perched on a rock. This design was unique to this denomination.
    Denomination
    The value ½P is inscribed at the top.

    GHDesigned by Gabriel Hayes

    Specifications

    • Denomination½ penny
    • Year1971
    • RegionÉire
    • Mintage100,500,000
    • MintIrish Mint, Dublin
    • MaterialBronze
    • ShapeRound
    • Diameter17.15 mm
    • Thickness1.1 mm
    • Weight1.75 g
    • EdgeThe edge is plain
    • ScriptsLatin, Irish

    Actual size

    ½ penny 17.15 mm 2 € 25.75 mm 1 € 23.25 mm

    Actual size compared with the 2 € and 1 € coins. Thickness: 1.1 mm.

    Composition

    Copper97 % Tin0.5 % Zinc2.5 %

    Reference catalogues

    N3284Numista KM21Krause (Standard Catalog of World Coins) Sp6699Spink

    Same country, same period at the scale of real diameters

    ½ penny1971 · 17.15 mm 1 penny1971 · 20.3 mm 6 pence1968 · 20.8 mm 5 pence1970 · 23.5 mm 5 pence1971 · 23.59 mm 2 pence1971 · 25.91 mm 10 pence1969 · 28.5 mm 50 pence1970 · 30 mm

    By the same engraver: Percy Metcalfe 31 coins

    1928Ireland 1 shilling 1928 proof 1928Ireland ½ penny 1928 - Irish Free State - Sow and Piglets 1928Ireland ¼ penny (farthing) 1928 - Irish Free State - Snipe 1928Ireland 6 pence 1928 - Irish Free State - Irish Wolfhound 1930Greece 20 drachmai 1930 - Poseidon 1930Greece 10 drachmai 1930 - Ear of wheat 1930Ireland ½ crown 1930 1930Ireland 2 shillings (florin) 1930 1931Ireland 1 penny 1931 - Irish Free State - Hen and Chicks 1934Ireland 3 pence 1934 - Irish Free State - Hare

    Ireland in the collection All 36 coins →

    18051990

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