I made celtic inspired designs of the Old Irish Coins 💰 Today is the 25th anniversary of the EURO, so here’s a trip down memory lane!

by CliffdoggyDog

9 comments

  1. The euro was launched in 1999 as an ‘invisible’ currency initially, used only for accounting purposes and electronic payments.

    Before the euro Ireland had its own currency! The first irish coin series consisted of eight coins farthing, halfpenny, penny, threepence, sixpence, shilling, florin and half-crown.

    first issued in 1928 designed by artist Percy Metcalfe and commissioned by the Irish government and spearheaded by senator and poet W.B. Yeats. Further celtic designs were created and revised by sculptor Gabriel Hayes, The coin depicting the red deer was designed by Thomas Ryan in 1990.

    Here’s a little legend to the values, original artists and animals:

    Luach: £1

    ainmhí: Fia rua – Red Deer

    Thomas Ryan (1990)

    ​

    Luach: 1p

    ainmhí: Éan ornáideach – Ornamental Bird (These bird designs were taken from the book of kells)

    Gabriel Hayes (1971)

    ​

    Luach: 1s= (Shilling)

    ainmhí: Tarbh – Bull

    Percy Metcalfe (1928)

    ​

    Luach: 2s= (Florin)

    ainmhí: Bradán – Fish/Salmon

    Percy Metcalfe (1928)

    ​

    Luach: 6d (Sixpence)

    ainmhí: Cú faoil – Hound/Dog (It is officially a irish wolfhound, but designed like a hound!)

    Percy Metcalfe (1928)

    ​

    Luach: 3d (Threepence)

    ainmhí: Giorria – Hare

    Percy Metcalfe (1928)

    ​

    Luach: 2/6d (Half-crown)

    ainmhí: Capall – Horse

    Percy Metcalfe (1928)

    ​

    Luach: 1/2d (Half-penny)

    ainmhí: Muc agus banbh – Sow and piglets

    Percy Metcalfe (1928)

    ​

    Luach: 1d (Penny)

    ainmhí: Cearc agus sicín óg – Hen and chicks

    Percy Metcalfe (1928)

    ​

    Luach: 1/4d (Farthing)

    ainmhí: Creabhar – Woodcock

    Percy Metcalfe (1928)

    ​

    Luach: 1/2p (half-penny)

    ainmhí: Éan ornáideach – Ornamental Bird

    Gabriel Hayes (1971)

    ​

    Luach: 2p

    ainmhí: Éan ornáideach – Ornamental Bird

    Gabriel Hayes (1971)

    ​

    Shameless self plug, but here is my instagram – I have more stories and details behind these coins, Irish animals and myths with art!

    [https://www.instagram.com/cliffdogart/](https://www.instagram.com/cliffdogart/)

  8. We should be putting these designs on the back of the euro coins. Loads of other countries have multiple coin designs.

  9. They were awesome. Well done on the pictures you have made a great design even better.

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