1928 Irish Penny

The 1928 Irish penny was the first coin issued by the Irish Free State, struck in bronze at the Royal Mint in London since Ireland lacked its own facilities at the time.

That design choice— a harp on the obverse and a hen with chicks on the reverse—drew from Irish symbolism, though the hen might have puzzled some as a nod to rural life rather than revolution. Percy Metcalfe handled the engraving, blending tradition with a modern edge. The coin's composition was a standard bronze alloy, weighing about 9 grams, but exact production figures are murky; records from that era weren't always reliable.

As for myths, no, it wasn't cursed or hidden in leprechaun gold. If you ask me, after thirty years, the real intrigue lies in how it quietly circulated through daily transactions, marking a nation's quiet step toward independence.