Edward III Irish Halfpenny

The Edward III Irish Halfpenny was often struck using silver recycled from worn English coins, a practical reuse that highlights the era's economic frugality.

That said, these halfpence, minted sometime between 1327 and 1377, typically featured a simple crowned bust on the obverse and a long cross with pellets on the reverse. Weighing around 0.5 grams, they were small fractions of the penny, essential for everyday transactions in a turbulent Ireland. Minting likely occurred in Dublin, though records are patchy.

We don't know the exact mintage figures; most medieval tallies vanished long ago, probably in some forgotten fire or raid. What survives shows variations in strike quality, from crisp to blurry, depending on the smith's tools that day.

And if you're wondering about myths, like tales of these coins bringing luck—well, after thirty years, I've yet to see one do more than tarnish nicely.