Table of Contents

2 Pence 1971-1988

Overview

On this page, we go into detail about the first Decimal Irish 2 Pence 1971-1988. Minted at the Currency Centre Dublin mint between the years 1971-1988. The video shown gives an overview of each of the Irish Decimal Coins.

If this is not what you are looking for, you may be interested in 2 Pence 1990-2000

A little background about the Irish 2 Pence, The Irish 2 Pence was part of the Irish Decimal Coins 1969-2001 coin series of Ireland. Designed by Gabriel Hayes there are two versions of Irish 2 Pence produced between the years 1971 – 2000 at the Currency Centre Dublin mint. A total of 309,818,750 of this version of Irish 2 pence coin were minted.

Coin collecting can be full of complicated terms and phrases. If you are unsure what any of the terms on this page mean, check out our 180 Best Coin Collecting Terms Explained post. There we explain every term in an easy to understand way.

Irish 2 Pence Identifying Features

The standard globally for identifying coins is the KM Code. This Irish 2 Pence coin is identified by the KM code KM# 21. The KM code is a unique reference number assigned to each coin.
 
 
Below are some other Identifying features, like which Mint the Irish 2 pence coin was made at as well as some other factors.
 
 

Denomination: 2 Pence
KM Code: KM# 21
Coin Series: Decimal 1969-2001
Years Produced: 1971 – 1988
Known Mintage: 309,818,750
Distribution: Standard Circulation
Mint: Currency Centre Dublin

Design Features

In coin collecting tems the “heads” of the coin is the Obverse and the “Tails” is the Reverse. So why is this important? What you might call the “heads” side of the coin is actually incorrect. The side with the Harp is actually the Obverse (front) of the coin – i know crazy! In a lot of coins from around the world this seems to happen. It’s quite common in Irish Coins also.
 
The design of theIrish 2 Pence coin was based on celtic style illustrations of Birds from the Book of Kells. An ancient Irish manuscript created by unknown monks in around the year 800. The Irish 2 Pence coin wasn’t alone in drawing inspiration from the Book of Kells. The Half Penny and Penny coins also had their design based on birds from the manuscript, below are both of these coins side by side.
 
Irish decimall half penny and penny coin
Irish decimall half penny and penny coin

Today the Book of Kells is in Trinity College Dublin and is open to public viewing. Around 1 million people a year go to witness the exhibition. If you want to learn more about the Book of Kells or book a visit to see it you can do so on the Trinity College Website

Book of Kells Open - Half Penny Example
 

Themes: Musical Instruments,Stylized Animals
Designer: Gabriel Hayes
Obverse Description: Irish harp
Reverse Description: Stylized bird and value

Mechanical Features

Weight: 7.1200g
Diameter: 25.9mm
Thickness: 1.85 mm
Rim: Raised. Not decorated. Both sides
Shape: Circular
Edge: Plain

Value Table

Below the Irish 2 Pence values are shown on a grading scale, the higher on the scale the better condition the coin is in and therefore the more valuable. Check out our Awesome Guide to Coin Grading In 3 Simple Steps article to learn more about coin grading. If you really want to understand how to accurately value your coins to ensure you are getting the price when selling or buying coins it can really help.
 
Year & VersionMintageAG3G4VG8F12VF20XF40AU50MS60MS63Proof
1971 75,500,000$0.10$1.00$1.20
1971 Proof50,000
1975 20,010,000$0.10$0.40$0.60
1976 5,414,000$0.10$0.50$0.70
1978 12,000,000$0.10$0.40$0.60
1979 32,373,000$0.10$0.40$0.60
1980 59,828,000$0.10$0.40$0.60
1982 30,435,000$0.10$0.40$0.60
1985 14,469,000$0.10$0.40$0.60
1986 23,865,000$0.10$0.40$0.60
1986 Proof6,750
1988 35,868,000$0.10$0.40$0.60
 
This purpose of this website is to education and entertain, All values shown are a guideline only and should not be used for any means of finacial investment or speculation, as with all things values may fluctuate depending on demand and scarcity, we strongly advise that all information on this website is used as it was inteeded – for entertianment purposes. The information relating to coins is sourced from many places such as NGC, PCGS and The Irish Central Bank.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

The purpose of this website is to educate and entertain, All values shown are a guideline only and should not be used for any means of financial investment or speculation, as with all things values may fluctuate depending on demand and scarcity, we strongly advise that all information on this website is used as it was intended – for entertainment purposes. The information relating to coins is sourced from many places such as NGC, PCGS and The Irish Central Bank.