James I Irish Halfpenny

James I's Irish halfpenny was one of the first copper coins to feature the Irish harp on its reverse, a design choice that quietly asserted the crown's authority over the island.

Struck at the Tower Mint in London from around 1604 to 1610, these halfpence were shipped across the Irish Sea to address a dire shortage of small change. The obverse bore the king's bust, a standard feature for his hammered coinage, while the copper itself was likely sourced from English mines—nothing exotic, just practical. I've handled dozens over the years, and they're often worn smooth from constant use.

We don't know the precise mintage; records from that era are as scarce as hen's teeth. Some specimens show signs of clipping or counterfeiting, common for the time.

As for myths, let's not pretend these coins held magical properties. They were currency, plain and simple.