1968 Irish 10 Pence

While records from that era can be murky, I know Ireland was deep into planning its decimal currency switch in the late 1960s, with the 10 Pence slated as part of the new system that launched in 1971. If a 1968 version exists, it might have been a trial strike or pattern piece, quietly tested before the public rollout—something numismatists occasionally stumble upon in old collections. Mintage figures, if any, remain unconfirmed, lost perhaps to the fog of administrative shifts. As for the design, it would likely echo the cupro-nickel composition and harp motif that became standard, but that's speculation based on later issues. I've handled plenty of Irish decimals over the years, and this one, if real, would be a footnote rather than a headline. Rumors of early strikes persist, though, much like that uncle who swears he saw a leprechaun.