Irish luck isn’t just embedded in Gaelic lore, it’s foundational to the numismatic scene of the Emerald Isle. Ireland has produced a variety of rare and intriguing coins, giving collectors in Éire as well as those around the world who appreciate coins from the land of shamrocks plenty to pursue. This includes many rare coins that can form the cornerstone of any collection of Irish coins.
Let’s look at five of the rarest and most valuable Irish coins worth money, in chronological order:
1937 Halfcrown
Of all the halfcrowns struck during the Free State era, the 1937 emission is certainly among the scarcest. A total of 40,000 were struck, with circulated examples selling as three-figure coins and uncirculated specimens notching four-figure prices. These coins are an object of top desire for PCGS Set Registry members who are working on a date run of Irish halfcrowns!
1938 Penny
There are only two known 1938-dated Irish pennies, including one in private hands and another safeguarded in the National Museum of Ireland. This pattern was struck to test a new legend, “Éire” (Ireland) in place of “Saorstát Éireann” (Irish Free State). The two pennies, along with a 1938 Irish Halfcrown pattern also in the custody of the National Museum of Ireland, are the only three Irish coins known to carry the 1938 date. This leaves just the single privately owned 1938 Penny as the only collectible coin from Ireland with that date.
1939 Threepence
The 1939 Irish Threepence is a scarce, low-mintage issue that serves an especially important role as a key date for date-set collectors. Only 64,000 were struck, making it the lowest-mintage issue of the denomination. While circulated examples are obtainable at a price, uncirculated specimens can go for three- and four-figure prices.
1943 Halfcrown
Approximately 500 examples are believed to exist of this decidedly rare Irish halfcrown. Even well-circulated specimens command strong three and low four-figure prices, with uncirculated specimens exceedingly rare. Collectors vying for this coin should focus their efforts on obtaining pieces with strong strike and nice overall color.
1943 Florin
Another rarity from 1943 manifests as the florin, which many numismatic scholars believe saw only one bag of 1,000 coins enter circulation. After many meltings and decades of attrition to time, wear, and the elements, only a few dozen examples are known in collections. It is now one of the rarest collectible Irish issues in existence. Even circulated specimens fetch four-figure prices, making this one of the most sought-after coins in the 20th-century Irish catalog.