Ireland 50 pence 1988 - Dublin Millennium - Proof

Ireland · 1988 · 50 pence

Commemorative coinUncommonUNC · Uncirculated

€10.00estimate in UNC

50,000coins minted

N5189 KM26 Sp6702A

JSReference number JSJS-OYM3I

Commemorative coin

Millennium of the city of Dublin (988-1988)

The coin's story

This 50 pence coin is the first Irish commemorative coin put into circulation throughout the country. It celebrates the millennium of Dublin, marked throughout 1988. The idea came from the city manager, Frank Feely, and the city council adopted it in December 1985: it chose to commemorate the submission of the Viking king of Dublin to the High King of Ireland Máel Sechnaill II, dated 988. The choice of this date was criticised by some historians, who considered it arbitrary, since the event rather took place in 989 and the city is much older. The reverse, designed by the Irish sculptor Thomas Ryan, shows the arms of Dublin with the three flaming castles and the Lord Mayor's insignia, and bears the name of the city in Irish, Áth Cliath (the ford of the hurdles). The obverse keeps the harp and the seven-sided shape of the ordinary 50 pence coin. The coin was withdrawn in 2002 with the changeover to the euro.

ObverseThe Irish Harp

éIRe1988

Design: The Irish harp (cláirseach) in the centre, the national emblem of Ireland.
Legend: éIRe (Ireland), in Gaelic script, to the left of the harp.
Date: The date 1988 is inscribed to the right of the harp.

PMEngraved by Percy Metcalfe

ReverseThe Arms of Dublin

50p988 1988ÁṪ CLIAṪ1000DUBLIN

Design: The shield of Dublin with three flaming castles, set on the Lord Mayor's cap, with the ceremonial mace and sword crossed behind.
Legend: On a ribbon, ÁṪ CLIAṪ (Dublin in Irish), 1000 and DUBLIN.
Date: The years 988 and 1988 are inscribed on either side of the shield.
Denomination: The value 50p is inscribed at the top.

TRDesigned and engraved by Thomas Ryan