Ireland Saorstat Eireann
(Irish Free State) & Republic Coinage, dates
of issue & Mintages 1928 - 1969
This is a complete listing of the 'Saorstat Eireann' (Irish Free State) & Republic of Ireland coinage by type & mintage. Introduced in 1928, the designs followed an agricultural theme, which remained unchanged except for the obverse change to 'Eire' in 1939, until decimalization in 1969-1970.
All inscriptions are in Gaelic & denominations in old £.Ss & d
Irish coins have always enjoyed a very strong international following amongst collectors.
Bearing in mind the low mintages generally, these coins (particularly the better examples) represent a sound investment as supply inevitably declines.
FARTHINGS
Alloy Bronze - diamiter 20mm
Reverse design with 1/4d over Woodcock' below 'Feoirling'
Year Mintage
1928 300,000 6001 Proofs
1930 288,000
1931 192,000
1932 192,000 This is the only pre-decimal coin dated 1932
1933 480,000
1935 192,000
1936 192,000 This is the only pre-decimal coin dated 1936
1937 480,000
1939 768,000 Proofs exist.
1940 192,000
1941 480,000
1943 480,000
1944 480,000
1946 480,000 Varieties (date spacing between '4' & '6') exist
1949 192,000 Proofs exist
1953 192,000 Proofs exist
1959 192,000
1966 96,000 Issued in the 1966 sets only - (Not for Circulation)
HALFPENNY
Alloy Bronze - diamiter 26mm
Reverse design with 1/2d over Pig & Piglets - Leat Pingin' below
Year Mintage
1928 2,880,000 6001 Proofs.
1960s Re-strikes exist.
1933 720,000
1935 960,000
1937 960,000
1939 240,000 Key Date in 1/2d series
Proofs exist
1940 1,680,000
1941 2,400,000
1942 6,931,200
1943 2,668,800
1946 720,000
1949 1,344,000
1953 2,400,000 Proofs exist
1964 2,160,000
1965 1,440,000
1966 1,680,000
1967 1,200,000
PENNY
Alloy Bronze - diamiter 31mm
Reverse design 1d over Hen & Chicks 'Pingin' below
Year Mintage
1928 9,000,000 6001 Proofs
1931 2,400,000 Proofs exist RARE+
1933 1,688,000 Scarce date
1935 5,472,000
1937 5,400,000 Proofs Exist
1938 Unique
1940 312,000 Key Date - Rare in Higher Grades
1941 4,680,000
1942 17,520,000 Missing Chick variety Known
1943 3,360,000
1948 4,800,000
1948 4,800,000
1949 4,080,000 Proofs exist
1950 2,400,000 Proofs exist
1952 2,400,000
1962 1,200,000 Proofs exist
1963 9,600,000 Proofs exist
1964 6,000,000 Proofs exist
1965 11,160,000 Variety First 'E' of Eire has Flattened Head
1966 6,000,000
1967 2,400,000
1968 42,000,000 Missing Chick Variety exists
THREEPENCE
Alloy Nickel - diamiter 17mm
Reverse design 3d over Hare 'Leat Reul' below
1928 1,500,000 6001 Proofs
1933 320,000 Scarce date
1934 800,000
1935 240,000
1939 64,000 KEY Date RARE
Proofs exist
1940 720,000
1942 4,000,000 1942 onwards Alloy - Cupro Nickel
Proofs exist
1943 1,360,000
1946 800,000
1948 1,600,000
1949 1,200,000
1950 1,600,000 Proofs exist
1953 1,600,000
1956 1,200,000
1961 1,400,000
1962 3,200,000
1963 4,000,000
1964 4,000,000
1965 3,600,000
1966 4,000,000
1967 2,400,000
1968 12,000,000 Proofs exist
SIXPENCE
Alloy Nickel - diamiter 21mm
Reverse design 6d over Wolfhound 'Reul' below
1928 3,201,500 6001 Proofs
1934 600,000
1935 520,000
1939 876,000 Proofs exist
1940 1,120,000
1942 1,320,000 1942 onwards Alloy - Cupro Nickel
1945 400,000 Key Date
1946 720,000
1947 800,000 The only coin in the pre-decimal series dated 1947
1948 800,000 Proofs exist
1949 600,000
1950 800,000 Proofs exist
1952 800,000
1953 800,000
1955 600,000
1956 600,000
1958 600,000 Proofs exist
1959 2,000,000
1960 2,000,000
1961 3,000,000 Proofs exist
1962 4,000,000
1963 4,000,000
1964 6,000,000
1966 2,000,000
1967 4,000,000
1968 8,000,000
1969 2,000,000 Only in pre-decimal coin dated 1969
SHILLINGS
Alloy 75% Silver - diamiter 24mm
Reverse design 1s over Bull 'Scilling' below
1928 2,700,000 6001 Proofs
1930 460,000 Proofs exist
1931 400,000
1933 300,000
1935 400,000
1937 100,000 KEY Date - RARE
1939 1,140,000 Proofs exist
1940 580,000
1941 300,000
1942 286,000
1951 2,000,000 1951 onwards - Alloy Cupro Nickel
Proofs exist
1954 3,000,000
1955 1,000,000
1959 2,000,000
1962 4,000,000
1963 4,000,000
1964 4,000,000
1966 3,000,000
1968 4,000,000
FLORINS
Alloy 75% Silver - diamiter 28mm
Reverse design Salmon 2s & 'Florin' below
1928 2,025,000 6001 Proofs
1930 320,000 Proofs exist
1931 200,000 Scarce Date
1933 300,000
1934 150,000 Very Scarce Date
Proofs exist
1934 150,000
1935 390,000
1937 150,000 Very Scarce Date
1939 1,080,000 Proofs exist
1940 670,000
1941 400,000 Proofs exist
1942 109,000 Scarcer Date
1943 30-35?? Extremely Rare KEY Date
1951 1,000,000 1951 onwards - Alloy Cupro Nickel
Proofs exist
1954 1,000,000
Proofs exist
1955 1,000,000
1959 2,000,000
1961 2,000,000' floirin' (Florin in Gaelic)
1962 2,400,000
1963 3,000,000
1964 4,000,000
1965 2,000,000
1966 3,625,000
1968 1,000,000
HALFCROWNS
Alloy 75% Silver - diamiter 32mm
Reverse design 'Leat Coroin' over Irish Hunter (Horse) below 2/6d
1928 2,160,000 6001 Proofs
1930 352,000
1931 160,000 Proofs exist
1933 326,000
1934 480,000
1937 40,000 Rare Date
1939 888,000 Proofs exist
1940 752,000
1941 320,000 Proofs exist
1942 285,600 Scarce Date
1943 Estimated mintage 400 coins KEY Date, RARE++
1951 800,000 1951 onwards - Alloy Cupro Nickel
Proofs exist
1954 400,000
1955 1,800,000
1959 1,600,000
1961 1,600,000 A 'Mule' Variety exists with 1928 dies used on Reverse
1962 3,200,000 Proofs exist
1963 2,400,000
1964 3,200,000
1966 700,000 Scarce Date (1966 Sets exist)
1967 2,000,000
NB: Proofs of many dates in the British Museum.
