Quick Coinage Facts
Years Minted: 1928-1967
Composition: Bronze
Diameter: 25.5 mm
Weight: 5.67 grams
Total Series Mintage: 30,384,000
Obverse Design: Harp
Reverse Design: Animal
Design
The obverse design features the Irish Harp separating the date. From 1928 to 1937 the obverse featured the legend “SAORSTAT EIREANN” or Irish Free State. This legend would later be shortened to just “EIRE” or Ireland beginning in 1939.
The reverse was designed by Percy Metcalfe and features a sow with three piglets. Above the design is the denomination “1/2d”. Below the wing are the designers initials "PM". The sow or pig has long been a vital part of Ireland's agricultural communities and is a beautiful representation of Ireland during that time period..
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Major Varieties
The change of the official country name from “The Irish Free State” to “The Republic of Ireland” in 1938 required a legend change on all coinage giving collectors two major varieties for the series.
Variety 1 - Old obverse legend 1928 to 1937
Variety 2 - New obverse legend 1939 to 1967
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General Market Notes
The key to the series is the 1933 issue while the semi-keys are the 1935 & 1939 issues.