William III Irish Sixpence

This Irish sixpence from William III's reign was typically struck on planchets recycled from melted Spanish reales, a thrifty nod to the era's coin shortages.

That made sense in 1692, when Ireland was still reeling from war and needed currency fast. The obverse shows William's bust, draped and laureate, facing right; the reverse features crowned harp strings, a symbol as Irish as they come. Most specimens are silver, though purity varied with whatever metal was handy.

We don't know the exact mintage figures. Records from that period are spotty, likely lost in later upheavals. What I can say is that these coins circulated widely, from Dublin markets to rural pockets, before wearing down to mere slivers.

Collectors sometimes mistake them for English issues, but that's just lazy. As for myths about hidden treasures, I've seen enough to know they're rot.