1797 Irish Penny Token
Ireland
1797
Reference data compiled from public catalogs
Estimated Melt Value
$0.24
Based on Copper spot price ($6.06/oz) · 95.0% purity · 18.9g
Updated 6:57 AM
Collector premium not included
Specifications
| Country | Ireland |
| Years Minted | 1797 |
| Composition | Copper |
| Weight | 18.9 g |
| Diameter | 34 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Edge | Plain |
Design
Obverse
Features an Irish harp surrounded by a wreath.
Reverse
Depicts a seated figure of Hibernia with the date below.
History & Notable Facts
The 1797 Irish Penny Token was struck by Matthew Boulton at his Soho Mint, using steam-powered presses that marked a leap in coin production technology.
This copper piece, issued for everyday trade in Ireland, weighs about 16 grams and measures 34 millimeters across. It bears a harp on the obverse, symbolizing Ireland, and the date on the reverse, with no official royal endorsement. Private manufacturers like Boulton stepped in because the government couldn't keep up with demand for small change.
We don't know the exact mintage; records from that era are spotty. What is clear is that these tokens circulated widely until official coins resumed.
Some folks still think they were minted in Dublin, but that's a myth—Boulton handled it all from Birmingham.
Buy on eBay
AI Analysis & Price Prediction
The 1797 Irish Penny Token has shown consistent appreciation over the past decade. Based on historical auction data, population reports, and current market sentiment, our AI model projects...
Get AI-powered analysis for this coin
Unlock with Pro — $9.99/mo