1985 Irish 50 Pence

The 1985 Irish 50 Pence was struck at the Royal Mint in Wales, a quirk that underscores Ireland's reliance on British facilities even after gaining independence.

This seven-sided coin, made from cupro-nickel, featured the Irish harp on the obverse, a design element tracing back to medieval times. The reverse showed a stylized salmon, symbolizing Ireland's rivers and perhaps a nod to its angling traditions. That's straightforward; no myths needed.

Exact mintage figures are murky, lost in the fog of old records. What we know is that production was modest, aimed at circulation rather than collectors.

In my three decades handling these, I've seen plenty passed off as rare. They aren't. A solid coin, but not one to lose sleep over.