1966 Irish Halfcrown
Ireland
1966
Reference data compiled from public catalogs
Specifications
| Country | Ireland |
| Years Minted | 1966 |
| Composition | 75% copper, 25% nickel |
| Weight | 14.14 g |
| Diameter | 32 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Edge | Reeded |
Design
Obverse
The obverse features the Irish harp, the national emblem, with inscriptions including 'EIRE' and the date 1966.
Reverse
The reverse depicts a commemorative design symbolizing the 50th anniversary of the Easter Rising, featuring a woman with children and other symbolic elements.
History & Notable Facts
The 1966 Irish Halfcrown stands out as the last of its denomination ever minted, quietly closing the book on a coin type that dated back to the Irish Free State's early days.
This commemorative piece, struck to mark the 50th anniversary of the Easter Rising, features a harp on the reverse and a portrait of President Éamon de Valera on the obverse. It was produced at the Royal Mint in London, as Ireland lacked its own facility at the time. The coin's composition—copper-nickel, like many contemporaries—reflects postwar material shortages more than innovation.
Exact mintage figures remain murky; records from that era are incomplete, possibly lost in administrative shifts. Still, it's not the rarest Irish coin, though condition can vary wildly among survivors.
Some enthusiasts claim it carries mystical properties, like warding off bad luck. I've handled enough to know that's just talk.
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