1940 Irish Penny

The 1940 Irish penny was struck in London at the Royal Mint, despite Ireland's strict neutrality during World War II. That arrangement highlighted the island's lingering dependencies on Britain for coin production.

Weighing in at around 9 grams of bronze, the coin featured the Irish harp on one side and a simple hen with chicks on the other—a design meant to evoke rural life. Wartime shortages meant materials were scarce, so the bronze likely included recycled scraps from earlier coins. No one knows the exact mintage figures; records from that era are spotty at best.

As for myths, I've heard plenty about hidden silver content or secret codes in the design. They're nonsense. This was just a practical piece of currency for everyday use.

Some collectors note the odd die varieties, like a rotated harp, which can fetch a modest premium if you're patient.