Encyclopedia:
Irish penny (decimal coin),
Talk:Irish penny (decimal coin),
Image:Irish penny (decimal coin).png
penny coin was the second smallest denomination of the
Irish pound which was decimalised on
Decimal Day,
February 15,
1971 it was the second of three new designs introduced all in
bronze.
The coin was designed by the Irish artist
Gabriel Hayes and the design is adapted from the
Book of Kells held in
Trinity College, Dublin,
Ireland. The coin originally had a diameter of 2.032
centimeters and mass of 3.564
grams consisting of
copper,
tin and
zinc.
The coins official designation was "new penny" and this was changed in
1985 to "penny". In
1990 the decision was taken to produce the coin on a copper plated
steel base as the bronze had become relatively expensive. This accounts for the reason that some coins are affected by
magnets - these are the steel base plate coins.
The coin was 1/100 of an Irish Pound and was withdrawn on the advent of the
euro.
External links
*
http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/ZZSI160Y1969.html Coinage (Dimensions and Designs) Regulations, 1969*
http://193.178.1.79/ZZSI387Y1985.html Decimal Currency Act, 1969 (Section 2(3)) (Appointed Day) Order, 1985*
http://193.178.1.79/ZZSI100Y1990.html Coinage (Weight and Composition of and Remedy for Certain Copper Coins) Regulations, 1990penny (decimal coin)
