Irish coinage, while not typically famous for an overwhelming number of rarities, is home to a few sleeping beauties – low mintage and high-grade specimens that often fly under the radar. As passionate collectors, we love shining a light on these often-overlooked treasures.

Forget the common misconceptions; it’s time to discover some fascinating Irish coins that are quietly achieving rarity status. Get ready to update your “must-have” list!

1. The Low Mintage Halfpenny: 1933

When collectors talk about low mintage, the 1933 Halfpenny is a coin that we think is often missed. Struck deep in the heart of the Irish Free State period, its mintage was just 720,000.

While this figure might not sound tiny, finding this coin in high grade is incredibly challenging. Our example, graded MS 62 by NGC, showcases how difficult it is to find a piece that hasn’t seen heavy circulation. It’s a genuine sleeper for the grade-conscious collector.

2. The Dazzling Proof: 1928 Penny

This is not just any penny; it’s a piece of history and numismatic excellence! The 1928 Penny holds the distinction of being the first year of coinage for the Irish Free State.

Our example is a Proof Coin, graded PR 65 Red by PCGS. Why the excitement? It originated from one of the mere 6,001 presentation proof sets produced. Many of these coins have sadly lost their original brilliant colour and tone over the decades, but not this one. It still blazes with the original red brilliance from the day it was struck! PCGS has graded only six at this level, with just one known higher grade (PR 66) – making this a stunning numismatic survivor.

3. The Lowest Mintage Threepence: 1939

Often mistaken for silver, the Irish Threepence has historically been made from Nickel. While it was popular with children—easy to spend and easy to lose—the 1939 Threepence tells a different story: one of rarity and resilience.

This coin boasts the absolute lowest mintage of all the Threepence denominations, with a tiny 64,000 struck. Very few have survived in top condition. Our example, graded MS 65 by PCGS, showcases a fantastic lustre that is highly desirable for any serious collector.

4. The Obverse Changer: 1935 Sixpence

Like the Threepence, the Irish Sixpence was also struck in Nickel up to 1940 (later ones were a Copper/Nickel mix). The 1935 Sixpence is a superb find, graded MS 64 by PCGS, showing very sharp details and lustre.

The significance? This is the last year the Sixpence was issued with the date flanking the harp on the obverse. When the coin was next released in 1939, that design had changed!

Coin Detail Alert: On the reverse, you find the magnificent Wolfhound. Legend says this breed once roamed Ireland in ancient times, guarding clans from hunting wolves. They are intimidatingly large, making them an excellent choice for this impressive coin.

5. The Scarce Silver: 1937 Half Crown

The Half Crown holds the highest denomination of the older coinage and was struck in 75% Silver. While the 1928 issue saw over 2 million minted, many were lost or melted down for their silver content.

But if you change the year, you find a true rarity: the 1937 Half Crown. This is one of the lowest mintages you can possibly find, with only 40,000 pieces struck. Even in a lower grade, such as our VF 20 from NGC, this coin is genuinely scarce. If you manage to find a Mint State example, it has been known to achieve over €3,000 at auction!

6. The Commemorative Powerhouse: 1966 10 Shilling Coin

This coin marks the 50th Anniversary of the Easter Rising. It was minted in huge numbers and released into circulation, but it was generally found to be inconvenient (too heavy, and a 10 Shilling note already existed), so many are considered a “dime a dozen.”

So why is this special? It’s all about the grade.

Our proof example is graded Proof 67 Cameo by PCGS. This specimen is a true feast for the eyes, with its original lustre and deep, pleasing toning. This is a special coin because:

• It is Ireland’s first commemorative coin.
• It is the only Irish coin that does not feature the Harp on the obverse.
• Critically, it is the highest known grade from PCGS.

If you are looking for this coin, the lesson is clear: skip the circulated examples and target the highest-grade proofs you can find!