Richard II Irish Groat

One of the most intriguing aspects of the Richard II Irish groat is its portrayal of the king facing forward, a rare choice in medieval coinage that makes it stand out among its sideways-glancing peers.

Struck in silver as a fourpence piece, this coin was minted during Richard's reign from 1377 to 1399, likely at the Tower of London for circulation in Ireland. The design includes the king's bust on the obverse and a long cross with pellets on the reverse, reflecting the era's standard motifs. We know these groats helped enforce English currency in Ireland, but records of exact production numbers vanished long ago, possibly in administrative fires or neglect.

As for condition, many specimens show heavy wear from daily use, which isn't surprising for a coin that changed hands in turbulent times. The silver content was modest, making it more practical than precious.

Sometimes I think these old groats were the medieval equivalent of a bad penny—always turning up when you least expect it.