Irish decimal coins

Series in circulation since 1971

The Irish pound series follows the decimal system introduced in 1971 until the changeover to the euro. The photographs show the national designs: ornamental birds, animals and the harp. Coin dates should not be confused with the end of circulation in 2002.

Small 5p and 10p coins replaced the initial ones. The ordinary types and circulating commemoratives represented in the inventory are included; empty black cells indicate photographs not yet available.

Original decimal coin types

½ penny1 penny2 pence
BronzeBronzeBronze
1971–19861971–19881971–1988
ÉireÉireÉire
½ penny — 1982 — obverse1 penny — 1971 — obverseIreland — 2 pence · Uccello ornamentale — obverse
½ penny — 1982 — reverse1 penny — 1971 — reverseIreland — 2 pence · Uccello ornamentale — reverse
5 pence10 pence50 pence
CupronickelCupronickelCupronickel
1971–19901971–19861971–2000
ÉireÉireÉire
5 pence — 1978 — obverse10 pence — 1986 — obverseIreland — 50 pence · Beccaccia — obverse
5 pence — 1978 — reverse10 pence — 1986 — reverseIreland — 50 pence · Beccaccia — reverse

New denominations and later types

1 penny2 pence5 pence10 pence
Copper-plated steelCopper-plated steelCupronickelCupronickel
1988–20001988–20001992–20001993–2000
ÉireÉireÉireÉire
Ireland — 1 penny · Uccello ornamentale — obverse2 pence — 1996 — obverseIreland — 5 pence · Toro — modulo ridotto — obverseIreland — 10 pence · Salmon — modulo ridotto — obverse
Ireland — 1 penny · Uccello ornamentale — reverse2 pence — 1996 — reverseIreland — 5 pence · Toro — modulo ridotto — reverseIreland — 10 pence · Salmon — modulo ridotto — reverse
20 pence50 pence1 pound1 pound
Nickel brassCupronickelCupronickelCupronickel
1986–200019881990–20002000
ÉireÉireÉireÉire
Ireland — 20 pence · Cavallo — obverse50 pence — 1988 — obverseIreland — 1 pound · Stag — obverseIreland — 1 pound · Millennium — Broighter boat — obverse
Ireland — 20 pence · Cavallo — reverse50 pence — 1988 — reverseIreland — 1 pound · Stag — reverseIreland — 1 pound · Millennium — Broighter boat — reverse

Sources: Central Bank: Irish Series · Oireachtas: 20 pence 1986.