Overview
The 50 pence coin was the second largest denomination of Irish Decimal Coinscoin in Ireland. However, from 1970 until 1990, the 50 Pence coin was the largest denomination of Irish coin and was part of the Decimal 1969-2001 coin series of Ireland. Designed by Percy Metcalfe and produced between the years 1970 -2000 at the Currency Centre Dublin mint. In total 99,385,500 of these coins were minted. The video shown gives an overview of each of the Irish Decimal Coins.
There was also a circulating commemorative 50 pence coin that was made to celebrate the Dublin Millenium, you can read more about the 50 Pence Dublin Millenium coin here.
Coin collecting is full of unusual phrases and terminology. If you are unsure what any of the terms on this page mean, check out our 180 Best Coin Collecting Terms Explained post. Here we explain every term in an easy to understand way.
If you want to understand how coin grading works and how to for instance find out the value of your Irish coin, our Awesome Guide to Coin Grading In 3 Simple Steps article will help here.
Identifying Features
Denomination: 50 Pence
KM Code: KM# 24
Coin Series: Decimal 1969-2001
Years Produced: 1970 – 2000
Known Mintage: 99,385,500
Distribution: Standard Circulation
Mint: Currency Centre Dublin
Design Features
The design was created by Percy Metcalfe and was used for the Farthing Coin. Both the Irish Free State Coin Series and the Pre Decimal Coin Series used this design. See below an example of each of these types of farthing Coins.
Themes: Animals (Fauna), Birds, Musical Instruments
Designer: Percy Metcalfe
Obverse Description: Harp
Reverse Description: Woodcock
RELATED ARTICLES AND POSTS:
FARTHING 1928-1937
FARTHING 1939-1966
50 PENCE DUBLIN MILLENIUM 1988
Mechanical Features
The Mechanical features of a coin are things like the size, weight, thickness and diameter for example. Looking at the mechanical features of a coin is the easiest way to tell if a coin is real or fake.
Quite often a fake will not match the mechanical features of the original coin when faked. Checking these features should be the first thing you do if you have your suspicions about a coin. Coins are produced very precisely to match the predetermined mechanical features.
Weight: 13.3000g
Diameter: 30mm
Thickness: 2..40 mm
Rim: Raised. Not decorated. Both sides
Shape: 7-angular (heptagonal)
Edge: Plain
50 Pence Values
Below the 50 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.
When it comes to coin values condition is everything, the better condition or grade the coin is in the more valuable it becomes. Apart from condition or grade, the scarcity of a coin is also hugely important.
| Year & Version | Mintage | AG3 | G4 | VG8 | F12 | VF20 | XF40 | AU50 | MS60 | MS63 | Proof | 1970 | 9,000,000 | – | – | – | – | – | $1.50 | – | $3.00 | $4.00 | – | 1971 | 600,000 | – | – | – | – | $1.00 | $2.00 | – | $4.00 | $6.00 | – | 1971 Proof | 50,000 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1974 | 1,000,000 | – | – | – | – | $1.00 | $2.00 | – | $5.00 | $7.00 | – | 1975 | 2,000,000 | – | – | – | – | – | $1.50 | – | $3.00 | $4.00 | – | 1976 | 3,000,000 | – | – | – | – | – | $1.20 | – | $2.00 | $3.00 | – | 1977 | 4,800,000 | – | – | – | – | – | $1.20 | – | $2.00 | $3.00 | – | 1978 | 4,500,000 | – | – | – | – | – | $1.20 | – | $2.00 | $3.00 | – | 1979 | 4,000,000 | – | – | – | – | – | $1.20 | – | $2.00 | $3.00 | – | 1981 | 6,000,000 | – | – | – | – | – | $1.00 | – | $1.50 | $2.50 | – | 1982 | 2,000,000 | – | – | – | – | – | $1.20 | – | $2.00 | $3.00 | – | 1983 | 7,000,000 | – | – | – | – | – | $1.00 | – | $1.50 | $2.50 | – | 1986 | 3,250 | – | – | – | – | $3.00 | $6.00 | – | $15.00 | $20.00 | – | 1986 Proof | 6,750 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1988 | 7,000,500 | – | – | – | – | – | $1.00 | – | $2.00 | $2.75 | – | 1996 | 6,000,000 | – | – | – | – | – | $1.00 | – | $2.00 | $2.75 | – | 1997 | 6,000,000 | – | – | – | – | – | $1.00 | – | $2.00 | $2.75 | – | 1998 | 13,825,000 | – | – | – | – | – | $1.00 | – | $2.00 | $2.75 | – | 1999 | 7,000,000 | – | – | – | – | – | $1.00 | – | $2.00 | $2.75 | – | 2000 | 15,600,000 | – | – | – | – | – | $1.00 | – | $2.00 | $2.75 | – |
|---|
