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Irish Coin Daily: Commemorative €10 & €20 (100th Birthday of Samuel Beckett) | The Old Currency Exchange is a specialist dealer and valuer of Irish & GB coins, tokens and banknotes
Date: 2006 Samuel Barclay Beckett (13 April 1906 – 22 December 1989) was an Irish schoolteacher, novelist, dramatist, short story writer, theatre director, poet, literary translator and French Resistance fighter. He was a very private man and, despite being awarded the Croix de Guerre, didn't say much about his adventures in France during World War II.…
O’Brien Rare Coin Review: Charles I, Cities of Refuge – Bandon Bridge, Octagonal Farthing | The Old Currency Exchange is a specialist dealer and valuer of Irish & GB coins, tokens and banknotes
Date: c. 1647 Description: Charles I, Southern Cities of Refuge, Bandon Bridge octagonal farthing (copper) Weight: 2.32g Diameter: 14mm Unrecorded in literature but similar to an 'undated' Bandon Bridge farthing References: cf. D&F 316 and SCBC 6560 Overall, about very fine. (aVF) Extremely rare An unrecorded 'dated' issue Obverse: Crudely struck emergency coinage with the…
O’Brien Rare Coin Review: Charles I, Cities of Refuge – Cork, Round Uniface Copper Farthing | The Old Currency Exchange is a specialist dealer and valuer of Irish & GB coins, tokens and banknotes
Date: c. 1647 Description: Charles I, Southern Cities of Refuge, Cork Round Farthing (copper) Weight: 2.33g References: cf. S 6562B; cf. DF 331-3; cf. SCBI Norweb 6214 About very fine. (aVF) Extremely rare Obverse: Crudely struck emergency coinage with the legend "CORKE" across field, crown above, crossed palm leaves below, all within beaded border Reverse:…
Irish Coin Daily: Hiberno-Norse Silver Penny (Phase I, Class C – Helmet Type) in the name of Sihtric / Moneyer: CAR (of Dublin) | The Old Currency Exchange is a specialist dealer and valuer of Irish & GB coins, tokens and banknotes
Date: c. 1009-1011 Description: Hiberno-Norse Silver Penny, Phase 1, Class C (Imitating Æthelred II's Helmet type). Struck in the name of Sihtric, King of Dublin. Dublin mint signature, Moneyer: Car Diameter: 18 mm Weight: 1.2 g References: Seaby 6113 Provenance: Whyte's of Dublin Sales February 1996, Lot 629 16th April, 2011, Lot 469 Extremely Fine…
Irish Coin Daily: Hiberno-Norse, Phase V, Class B (Imitation of 1070s Anglo-Norman Type) Silver Penny | The Old Currency Exchange is a specialist dealer and valuer of Irish & GB coins, tokens and banknotes
Date: c. 1075-1080 Description: An Hiberno-Norse / Hiberno-Scandinavian, Phase V, Class B. (1070s Anglo-Norman type) silver penny. Obv. Crude bust right, cross pommée behind & three pellets before nose. Reverse: cross within inner circle. Silver Penny. Presumably minted in Dublin, in imitation of the 1070s Anglo-Norman type coinage. Weight: 0.64 g References: Unpublished. DF-, S,-…
Irish Coin Daily: Hiberno-Norse, Phase I, Class B (Long Cross) Silver Penny, Sihtric of Dublin (Moneyer: Aeilrine of London) – pellet & short crozier behind neck | The Old Currency Exchange is a specialist dealer and valuer of Irish & GB coins, tokens and banknotes
Date: c. 995-1015 Description: An Hiberno-Norse. Phase I Penny. Dublin mint attributed to Sihtric, King of Dublin, moneyer: Aeilrine of London (Lundún, Lundúnaborg, Lundúnir) with draped bust left, pellet and short crozier behind neck. Diameter: 19 mm Weight: ? Very Fine (VF), nicely toned on obverse but a little porous on the reverse Very rare…
Fenian Bonds: O’Mahony Issue, $500 (Robert Emmet & Lord Edward Fitzgerald) | The Old Currency Exchange is a specialist dealer and valuer of Irish & GB coins, tokens and banknotes
Date: 1866 Description: Issued between 1866 and 1867, these are the first type of Fenian Bond from this period, entitled 'The National Bond for the Irish Republic' and signed by O'Mahony. The $500 Bond featured vignettes of Robert Emmet and Lord Edward Fitzgerald Printed by Continental Bank Note Printing Company, New York Size: 18 x…
Irish Coin Daily: Edward Bewley’s Token Penny (1814 & 1816) Mule | The Old Currency Exchange is a specialist dealer and valuer of Irish & GB coins, tokens and banknotes
Date: 1814 and 1816 ??? Description: Very rare Edward Bewley's (Dublin) copper penny token dated both 1814 (the year of Wellington's victory at Waterloo) and 1816. The obverse of this 'mule' comprises a Hilles token (Davis Dublin No: 10) with a William Bewley reverse die - hence the two different dates. Edward Bewley is thought…
Irish Coin Daily: Hiberno-Norse, Phase V, Class A (Long Cross Imitation) Silver Penny | The Old Currency Exchange is a specialist dealer and valuer of Irish & GB coins, tokens and banknotes
Date: c. 1065-1075 Description: An Hiberno-Norse / Hiberno-Scandinavian, Phase V, Class A (long voided cross, fleur, pellet-in-annulet, crescent, pellet in quarters) Silver Penny. Presumably minted in Dublin, in imitation of Long Cross coinage Weight: 0.94 g References: cf. SCBI BM 164-6, same dies; SCBI Copenhagen –; SCBI Ulster –; Roth –; cf. S 6138; DF…
Irish Coin Daily: Silver Farthing of John de Curcy, Lord of Ulster, (Second ‘Anonymous’ Coinage) | The Old Currency Exchange is a specialist dealer and valuer of Irish & GB coins, tokens and banknotes
Date: c. 1195 Description: John de Courcy, (1177-1205), Farthing, Anonymous ‘St Patrick’ issue (c.1185-c.1205), Cross Potent with Crescents coinage, Farthing, Downpatrick mint. Weight: 0.32g References: Allen dies [this specimen not listed] Withers [not listed] SCBI Ulster 336, same obv. die; S 6227; DF 47 Edge chipped, otherwise about Very Fine (nVF) Toned, nicely preserved specimen…
O’Brien Banknote Guide: One Pound, Mallow Bank, Type 3 (De La Cour) | The Old Currency Exchange is a specialist dealer and valuer of Irish & GB coins, tokens and banknotes
Date: 1835 Description: 1835 Mallow Bank, One Pound note signed by Robert de la Cour - possibly one of the last he signed before his bank went under. 1st October, 1835 Signed by Robert de la Cour Pinholes and a few spots, otherwise Very Fine (VF) Very rare Introduction: The Mallow Bank (Co Cork) was…
O’Brien Banknote Guide: 13 Pence, Mallow Bank, Type 1 (De La Cour & Gallwey) | The Old Currency Exchange is a specialist dealer and valuer of Irish & GB coins, tokens and banknotes
Date: 1801-1812 Description: 18-- Unissued Mallow Bank, 1s & 1d banknote for Robert de la Cour & William Gallwey, 13 Pence No date Not signed Almost Fine (aF) Very rare Introduction: The Mallow Bank (Co Cork) was registered on 23rd January 1801 by Robert Delacour and Hill Gallwey. Both men use variations of their name…
O’Brien Banknote Guide: 30 Shillings, Mallow Bank, Type 2 (De La Cour & Cuthbert) 1820 | The Old Currency Exchange is a specialist dealer and valuer of Irish & GB coins, tokens and banknotes
Date: 1820 Description: 1820 Mallow Bank, for Robert de la Cour & Richard Jonson Cuthbert, 30 Shillings Dated 2nd June, 1820 Signed by J.H. Cuthbert Introduction: The Mallow Bank (Co Cork) was registered on 23rd January 1801 by Robert Delacour and Hill Gallwey. Both men use variations of their name in documents from that time,…
Early Irish Banknotes: 1881 Bank of Ireland (Eleventh Issue), One Pound (Type 2g) | The Old Currency Exchange is a specialist dealer and valuer of Irish & GB coins, tokens and banknotes
Date: 1881 Description: Bank of Ireland, One Pound note, dated 29th October 1881. Branches: 58 Arklow Armagh Bagnalstown Ballybay Ballina Ballinasloe Ballinrobe Ballymena Banagher Bandon Belfast Belturbet Boyle Callan Carlow Castlebar Castleblayney Cavan Charleville Clonakilty Clones Clonmel Coleraine Cork Drogheda Dundalk Ennis Enniscorthy Fermoy Galway Gorey Kilbeggan Kilkenny Limerick Listowel Londonderry (Derry) Longford Mallow Maryborough…
Irish Coin Daily: Norwegian Imitation of an Hiberno-Norse, Phase VI (Class A, Type 1c) Penny | The Old Currency Exchange is a specialist dealer and valuer of Irish & GB coins, tokens and banknotes
Date: c. 1102-1103 This is where it gets really complicated for students of Hiberno-Scandinavian coinage Is this penny a Norwegian (or Danish) copy of an Irish-made coin, or; Is it a Norwegian (or Danish) copy of an English-made coin? If it is the former, where was the coin produced? Lund, Ribe, Hedeby and Aalborg in…
Irish Coin Daily: Silver Farthing of Edward I, 2nd Coinage (Dublin Mint) | The Old Currency Exchange is a specialist dealer and valuer of Irish & GB coins, tokens and banknotes
Date: c.1280-84 Description: Edward I (1272-1307), Second Issue, Silver Farthing (Dublin Mint); struck c.1280-1284 Diameter: 11mm Weight: 0.37 g. Good Fine (gF) References: Withers VI 1a SCBI 22 (Copenhagen), –SCBC 625596267 Obverse: Crowned facing bust within triangle Legend: " ЄRΛ NG LIЄ " Reverse: Long cross pattée, triple pellets in angles Dublin Mint signature "…
Irish Coin Daily: Hiberno-Norse, Phase V, Class B (Imitation of William I ‘two sceptres’ type) Silver Penny | The Old Currency Exchange is a specialist dealer and valuer of Irish & GB coins, tokens and banknotes
Date: c. 1075-1080 Description: An Hiberno-Norse / Hiberno-Scandinavian, Phase V (Imitation of a William I Two Sceptres type) Silver Penny. Obv: crude facing bust with two sceptres. Rev: short single cross with trident finials, pellet in each angle Weight: 0.84 g References: cf. SCBI BM 224 for obv.; SCBI Copenhagen 281 for obv.; SCBI Ulster…
The Trade Token of Richard Greenwood, Dublin | The Old Currency Exchange is a specialist dealer and valuer of Irish & GB coins, tokens and banknotes
Date: c. 1649-1672 Description: Richard Greenwood's penny token is one of my favourite designs from this series because the obverse design is tantalisingly close to that of the so-called St Patrick's Farthing - first minted in Dublin and then later minted in the American Colonies - both by persons unknown. Two types are known -…
The Trade Token of George Linington – a Merchant in Wexford, Ireland | The Old Currency Exchange is a specialist dealer and valuer of Irish & GB coins, tokens and banknotes
Date: c. 1654 Description: 1654 George Linington's Penny Token Weight 2.0g Ref: W.145 Almost Very Fine (aVF) Extremely rare Obverse: Centre design: Initials & Date, "P L over G . M." "1654" below Reverse: Legend: "IN WEX FORD" Further Reading: O’Brien Coin Guide: The Proliferation of Unofficial Irish ‘Farthing Tokens’ in the 17th Century…
The Trade Token of (Edmond Kearney) – a Merchant in Cashel, Co Tipperary | The Old Currency Exchange is a specialist dealer and valuer of Irish & GB coins, tokens and banknotes
Date: c. 1650-80 Description: Edmond Kearney's Penny Token (Cashel, Co Tipperary) Wt. 2.11g W.145 Weight 2.11g Williamson 145 Scarce Obverse: Centre design: A plain cross with a pellet in each quarter. Outer legend: "EDMOND . KEARNEY" Reverse: Centre design: Initials & denomination "D" over "E . K." over "1" with four small annulets Legend: "CASHELL…
Famous Irish Numismatists: Dr Aquilla Smith | The Old Currency Exchange is a specialist dealer and valuer of Irish & GB coins, tokens and banknotes
Introduction: Aquilla Smith (28 April 1806 – 23 March 1890) was born in Nenagh, County Tipperary. In 1831 he married his first cousin Esther, daughter of George Faucett, and they had thirteen children. He was a highly regarded medical doctor, numismatist and archaeologist. He represented the Irish College of Physicians on the General Medical Council…
Irish Coin Daily: Confederate Catholic Sixpence – Counter-marked on a Silver Sixpence of James I | The Old Currency Exchange is a specialist dealer and valuer of Irish & GB coins, tokens and banknotes
Date: 1642-43 Description: Kilkenny Rebel Money Sixpence; issued by the Catholic Confederacy of Kilkenny from 1642-43 and counter-marked on a silver Sixpence of James I (his Second Coinage, 3rd bust, mm Rose 1605-06) for Ireland, in 1558); one counter-mark struck on the monarch’s bust in the form of a raised “K” on a castle (single…
Currency Crisis in Ireland 1780-1810 | The Old Currency Exchange is a specialist dealer and valuer of Irish & GB coins, tokens and banknotes
The end of the eighteenth and beginning of the nineteenth centuries was a time of an acute shortage of 'hard cash' in Ireland and this was due to the fact that: Currency issued by the Royal Mint was limited to small copper coins; penny, twopence, threepence and fourpence The English Treasury had run out of…
Joseph Damer – The First Banker in Ireland to issue banknotes | The Old Currency Exchange is a specialist dealer and valuer of Irish & GB coins, tokens and banknotes
The simile "As rich as Damer" has been used for over two hundred years in Ireland, and derives its origin from the richest, meanest, and most unscrupulous Shylock banker that modern times have produced. (The Irish Times, April 26th, 1930). He is also credited as being the first banker in Ireland to issue his own…
The Trade Token of Thomas Linch (Limerick, 1679) | The Old Currency Exchange is a specialist dealer and valuer of Irish & GB coins, tokens and banknotes
Date: 1679 Description: Thomas Linch's trade halfpenny Weight 3.61g Williamson 574 Very rare Obverse: Centre design: A winged bull (Crest of the Limerick Butchers' Company) Outer legend: "THO . LINCH . OF . LIMRICK." Reverse: Centre design: Harp Legend: HIS . HALF . PENY . TOKEN . 1679. Further Reading: Like Dublin, Limerick had its…
Irish Coin Daily: Dublin Charity Food Token (1797) | The Old Currency Exchange is a specialist dealer and valuer of Irish & GB coins, tokens and banknotes
Date: 1797 Description: These tokens were given to beggars in Dublin and were exchangeable for food at certain places in the City of Dublin. The idea was to stop them from buying alcohol, as the tokens could only be exchanged for food at approved premises. They had no redeemable value; they were not legal tender.…
Irish Coin Daily: Confederate Catholic Shilling – Counter-marked on a base Shilling of Elizabeth I | The Old Currency Exchange is a specialist dealer and valuer of Irish & GB coins, tokens and banknotes
Date: 1642-43 Description: Kilkenny Rebel Money Shilling; issued by the Catholic Confederacy of Kilkenny from 1642-43 and counter-marked on a base Shilling of Elizabeth I (her first issue of base coinage for Ireland, in 1558); the counter-mark is struck on either side of the monarch’s bust in the form of a raised “K” on a…
Irish Coin Daily: Contemporary copy of a 1558 Elizabeth I, base coinage shilling (cast in lead) | The Old Currency Exchange is a specialist dealer and valuer of Irish & GB coins, tokens and banknotes
Date: 1558 Description: 1558 Elizabeth I, contemporary copy of a base coinage shilling Cast in lead Weight: 6.65g (genuine examples usually weigh approx. 8g +/- 0.5g) Note: Even though this is a contemporary forgery cast in lead, it is still 'a bit light' These 'contemporary forgery' Shillings sell for about €120 to €150 each at…
Irish Coin Daily: Dublin Weavers’ Company Copper Halfpenny Token (1795) | The Old Currency Exchange is a specialist dealer and valuer of Irish & GB coins, tokens and banknotes
Further Reading: Date: 1795 Description: Dublin Weavers' Company copper halfpenny token dated 1795 Dublin Weavers' Company copper halfpenny Diameter: 28.4mm Design engraved by Thomas Prattent (British engraver & coin dealer, active 1780–1810) Probably minted by William Lutwyche, of Birmingham D&H Dublin No: 16 Listed in Dalton & Hamer as "RR - VERY RARE" Nice…
The Trade Token of Lionell Newman (Dublin, 1664) | The Old Currency Exchange is a specialist dealer and valuer of Irish & GB coins, tokens and banknotes
Date: 1664 The habit of coffee drinking first became popular in Europe about the middle of the 17th century. Soon, special rooms were established for the consumption of the new beverage. Debate surrounds the date of the first coffee house in England, the Angel in Oxford is considered first by some historians, set up about…
The South Sea Bubble Collapse of 1720 and its Effect in Ireland | The Old Currency Exchange is a specialist dealer and valuer of Irish & GB coins, tokens and banknotes
Introduction: The South Sea Bubble was a speculative bubble in the early 18th century involving the shares of the South Sea Company, a British international trading company that was granted a monopoly in trade with Spain’s colonies in South America and the West Indies as part of a treaty made after the War of the…
Irish Coin Daily: Woodcock’s Bank, Enniscorthy (Co Wexford), Type 2 Copper Halfpenny token (1800) | The Old Currency Exchange is a specialist dealer and valuer of Irish & GB coins, tokens and banknotes
1800 Woodcock's Bank, Enniscorthy (Co Wexford) copper halfpenny token. Date: 1800 Description: The short-lived bank in Enniscorthy owned by Robert Woodlock was opened in 1799 and closed in 1802 was unusual insofar as it produced both its own banknotes and coin tokens. There was a chronic shortage of coinage at this time and people needed…
Irish Coin Daily: Woodcock’s Bank, Enniscorthy (Co Wexford), Type 1 Copper Halfpenny token (1800) | The Old Currency Exchange is a specialist dealer and valuer of Irish & GB coins, tokens and banknotes
1800 Woodcock's Bank, Enniscorthy (Co Wexford) copper halfpenny token. Date: 1800 Description: The short-lived bank in Enniscorthy owned by Robert Woodlock was opened in 1799 and closed in 1802 was unusual insofar as it produced both its own banknotes and coin tokens. There was a chronic shortage of coinage at this time and people needed…
Irish Coin Daily: Hiberno-Norse, Phase V, Class B (Imitation of Edward the Confessor, Type vii) Silver Penny | The Old Currency Exchange is a specialist dealer and valuer of Irish & GB coins, tokens and banknotes
Date: c. 1075-1080 Description: An Hiberno-Norse / Hiberno-Scandinavian, Phase V, Class B (in imitation of Æthelred II Long Cross/Edward the Confessor type vii) Silver Penny. Obv: crude bust left, three pellets in front of face. Rev: single cross, annulet in centre. Weight: 0.44 g References: SCBI BM 219; cf. SCBI Copenhagen 260; SCBI Ulster –;…
Irish Coin Daily: Hiberno-Norse, Phase V, Class B (Imitation of Edward the Confessor, Type viii coinage) Silver Penny | The Old Currency Exchange is a specialist dealer and valuer of Irish & GB coins, tokens and banknotes
Date: c. 1075-1080 Description: An Hiberno-Norse / Hiberno-Scandinavian, Phase V, Class B (Imitation of Edward the Confessor type xiii) Silver Penny. Obv: very crude bust left, three pellets on neck. Rev: cross with triple pellet finials, small cross pattée in centre. Weight: 0.83 g References: SCBI BM 219; cf. SCBI Copenhagen 260; SCBI Ulster –;…
Irish Coin Daily: Hiberno-Norse, Phase V, Class A (Imitation of Harold II PAX coinage) Silver Penny | The Old Currency Exchange is a specialist dealer and valuer of Irish & GB coins, tokens and banknotes
Date: c. 1075-1080 Description: An Hiberno-Norse / Hiberno-Scandinavian, Phase V (Class B) Silver Penny in imitation of Æthelred II Long Cross/Harold II PAX coinage, crude bust left, annulet on neck, cross between two pellets in front of face, rev. blundered inscription across field. Weight: 0.94 g References: SCBI BM 220, same dies; SCBI Copenhagen 261;…
Irish Coin Daily: Hiberno-Norse, Phase I, Class B (Long Cross) Silver Penny, in the name of Sihtric (Dublin mint / Moneyer: Godleop of Stamford) | The Old Currency Exchange is a specialist dealer and valuer of Irish & GB coins, tokens and banknotes
Date: c. 995-1015 Description: An Hiberno-Norse / Hiberno-Scandinavian, Phase I, Class B (Long Cross) Silver Penny, in the name of Sihtric, King of Dublin, with a mint signature of Godleop, moneyer of Stamford. Struck circa AD 1000-1010. Weight: 1.31 g References: O'S Type 3; SCBI BM –; SCBI Copenhagen –; SCBI Ulster –; Roth –;…
Irish Coin Daily: Henry III Silver Penny, Class 1c (Davi of Dublin) – sexfoil to right of bust, small triangle on band of crown | The Old Currency Exchange is a specialist dealer and valuer of Irish & GB coins, tokens and banknotes
Date: c. 1251-1254 Description: Henry III Silver Penny, Class 1c, Dublin, DAVI ON DIVELI, sexfoil to right of bust, star by sceptre head. Weight: 1.22g References: Dykes D; SCBI Ulster –; S 6237; DF 55 Nicely struck; obverse is a little bit off-centre on an almost round flan, showing weak/worn design (sexfoil in bottom right-hand corner,…
Irish Coin Daily: Hiberno-Norse, Phase V, Ringerike design – Cross Pattée at centre (Long Cross Imitation reverse – hand, pellet, large annulet & pellet in angles) | The Old Currency Exchange is a specialist dealer and valuer of Irish & GB coins, tokens and banknotes
Date: c. 1075-1080 Description: An Hiberno-Norse / Hiberno-Scandinavian, Phase V (Ringerike) Silver Penny imitating a Long Cross reverse design, with so-called "Ringerike" obverse motifs, incl. cross pattée at centre of saltire of four croziers, reversed "S" to left, scourge (?) and pellet to right. The reverse features a long voided cross, hand, pellet, large annulet,…
Irish Coin Daily: Henry III Silver Penny, Class 1d (Ricard of Dublin) – Sexfoil to right of bust, double band on crown | The Old Currency Exchange is a specialist dealer and valuer of Irish & GB coins, tokens and banknotes
Date: c. 1251-1254 Description: Henry III Silver Penny, Class 1d, Dublin, RICARD ON DIVE, sexfoil to right of bust, star by sceptred head. Weight: 1.33g References: Dykes D; SCBI Ulster 440; S 6239; DF 55 Nicely struck, well-centred on an almost round flan, showing clear design (sexfoil to right of bust, faint star by sceptred head)…