The Lucky Irish Penny

1968 was the last year of mintage for the Irish large cent, a coin that had only been minted 16 times since its inception by the Irish Free State in 1928. At 30.82mm and 9.45 grams, the Irish large cent was similar in size and weight to the US half dollar!

Much like what happened in the United States in 1857, when our large cent was replaced by the Flying Eagle small cent, the public, which had long seen the large cent as a cumbersome nuisance, suddenly waxed nostalgic and gathered them up as keepsakes.

These 1968 Irish lucky pennies were saved by collectors at the time of minting, and are now offered as mementos of Irish history. The obverse of the coin features the Irish harp, which has adorned all Irish coins since independence. The reverse is a salute to the rural heritage of Ireland, showing a stylized mother hen protecting her four chicks.

Each Lucky Irish Penny comes in its own presentation folder with a history of the denomination.

Don't wait until St Patrick's Day to enjoy a little luck of the Irish. The Lucky Irish penny makes a nice gift for your favorite lad or lassie.