Irish Coins

The first coins minted in Ireland were produced in about 995 AD in Dublin for King Sihtric, the Hiberno-Norse King of Dublin. These penny coins bore the head and name of the king and the word Dyflin for Dublin.

John of England was among the first Anglo-Norman monarchs to mint coins in Ireland; these were farthings, halfpennies and pennies. It was not until the reign of Henry VIII that Irish coins bore the harp and, later in Henry’s reign, the year.

In the following centuries gold, silver and copper coins were issued. During the reign of James II metal from melted-down gun barrels was used to produce coins, this is now known as “gun money”.