1943 Irish Penny
Ireland
1943
Reference data compiled from public catalogs
Market Price Range
Based on 20 eBay listings · Prices vary by grade and condition
Estimated Melt Value
$0.11
Based on Copper spot price ($6.06/oz) · 95.0% purity · 9g
Updated 7:02 AM
Collector premium not included
Specifications
| Country | Ireland |
| Years Minted | 1943 |
| Composition | Bronze |
| Weight | 9 g |
| Diameter | 30.9 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Edge | Plain |
Design
Obverse
The obverse features the Irish harp, a national symbol, with the date 1943 below.
Reverse
The reverse depicts a hen with chicks, symbolizing agriculture.
History & Notable Facts
The 1943 Irish penny stands out for being one of the few bronze coins minted in Ireland during World War II, despite the global metal shortages that crippled production elsewhere. Struck at the Royal Mint in London, it used recycled bronze planchets to keep the Irish economy circulating amid wartime isolation.
This penny features the familiar Irish harp on the obverse and a hen with chicks on the reverse, both designed by Percy Metcalfe to evoke everyday rural life. At just 9 grams and 30.9 millimeters across, it's unassuming but practical. Mintage figures are unclear; records from that era weren't always reliable.
Some variants show wear from poor storage, a common issue for wartime issues. As for myths, no, it wasn't made from melted-down enemy bullets—that's just collector fantasy. Collectors might quip it's the only penny that laid an egg, but that's stretching it.
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AI Analysis & Price Prediction
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