The familiar design of the Irish 20 pence coin—featuring the classic Irish horse on the reverse, may bring back memories of simpler times, perhaps buying sweets or making a quick call from a phone box. This coin, in circulation from 1986 until the Euro takeover in 2002, is usually just a nostalgic piece of history.
However, there is one particular date that transforms this common coin into a numismatic superstar, potentially valued at up to €15,000, which one is its? Well…. its was never in circulation but it may have crossed your hand by accident. Its the elusive 1985 Irish 20 pence coin.
Why is the 1985 20p Coin So Valuable?
The incredible value of the 1985 20p piece stems purely from its scarcity and unique origin story. It was never intended for general circulation.
- A Coin Before its Time: The 20p coin was officially released in 1986. Yet, the Irish government had decided earlier to introduce a new denomination (choosing 20p over 25p in 1984).
- Before the official 1986 launch, thousands of coin-operated machines across the country, vending machines, public telephone boxes, and meters. This was needed to be recalibrated to accept the new 20p size and composition.
- To facilitate this crucial recalibration, the Central Bank of Ireland minted an estimated 500 trial pieces in 1985. These trial coins, dated 1985, were distributed exclusively to the companies and engineers responsible for adjusting the machinery.
- Why 1985? Because it is strictly illegal to release a coin bearing a future date.
- The plan was simple: use the 500 coins for calibration, then return them all to the Central Bank to be melted down. Fortunately for collectors, this didn’t happen completely. It is believed that approximately 50 of these trial coins were never returned.
How Much is the 1985 Irish 20p Worth?
Due to the extremely low survival rate—with only about 10 examples officially recorded in private hands to date—the 1985 Irish 20p coin is one of the rarest and most valuable modern Irish coins.
While the general 20 pence coin from 1986 onward is typically worth only its face value (or a small premium for mint condition), a genuine 1985 piece can command a price of anywhere from €5,000 up to €15,000, depending on its condition and the current market.
What to Look For: Identifying the Rare Coin
When checking your old coinage, you must focus on one single detail to find a fortune:
- Check the Date: Look only for a coin with the year 1985 clearly visible on the reverse side beside the Irish harp (Eire).
- Don’t get to excited in the unlikely event that you find one. There a good few fakes floating around so check out my Evaluating page or seek a professional advice at an Auction House or a coin stall at a fair.
Any 20p coin dated 1986 or later is a common circulation piece and will not hold the same value. The sheer rarity of the 1985 date is what makes it a treasure.
If you are fortunate enough to find one, it may have been found in an old phone box, an unserviced vending machine, or simply tucked away in a drawer by an engineer who worked on the calibration process. The search continues for the other 40 coins thought to be still floating around!