Ireland 1953 farthing

formerly in the Mountain Groan Collection

After winning independence from Great Britain after World War One, Ireland went thru a civil war before settling on a free state completely separate from Britain. The first coinage of the new country was in 1928; in 1939, the obverse legend was revised from "SAORSTAT EIREANN" to plain "EIRE", which title still obtains. Despite the small mintage, this is a common date tho the proofs are rare. This type was struck intermittently 1939-66.

Recorded mintage: 192,000 plus proofs.

Specification: 2.83 g, bronze, 20.3 mm diameter, designed by Percy Metcalfe.

Catalog reference: KM 9.

Source:

• Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
• Standard Catalogue of British Coins: Coins of Scotland, Ireland and the Islands (Jersey, Guernsey, Man & Lundy), and Anglo-Gallic coins, Pre-Decimal Issues, 5th edition, London: Sovereign Rarities, 2025.

Link to:

• 1939 farthing
• 1952 penny
• 1954 shilling
• Coins and currency dated 1953
• return to coins of Ireland