1984 Irish 50 Pence

This 1984 Irish 50 Pence was struck at the Royal Mint in Llantrisant, Wales, since Ireland lacked its own facility at the time. That's a reminder of how global coin production could be, even for national symbols.

The coin's seven-sided shape, made from cupronickel, helped it stand out in pockets full of round change. On the obverse, it bears the Irish harp; the reverse shows a salmon, designed by Tom Dwyer. Mintage figures aren't precisely known, as records from that era are spotty.

Exact production numbers varied by demand, but that's all we'll say on that. The alloy, a mix of copper and nickel, gave it a silvery look that wore well, though not as well as some purists claim.

Collectors sometimes overlook these for shinier pieces, but that's their loss.