Ireland 1 Penny 1971 - Bird

Ireland · 1971 · 1 penny

Circulating coinCommonUNC · Uncirculated

€4.30estimate in UNC

100,500,000coins minted

N1002 KM26 Sp6704

Circulating coin

Decimal coin introduced on Decimal Day.

The coin's story

This coin was introduced at the decimalisation of the Irish currency in 1971. It bears the same design as the ½ penny coin, but is larger.

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

Design: The main design is a stylised representation of a bird inspired by Celtic art. This bird is generally identified as a long-necked bird (a motif drawn from the Celtic tradition).
The body is rendered with complex lines and scrolls, typical of the Celtic art style and of the period when the coin was struck (the style is inspired by Insular art).
The bird faces left, with its long beak and ornate head at the top.
The tail feathers extend downwards and end in curved, stylised motifs.
Denomination: The value "1p" is clearly visible on the right-hand side of the coin.
This design was used for the ½p and 1p denominations.

GHDesigned by Gabriel Hayes