Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Irish penny (decimal coin)
The Irish penny was the second smallest denomination of the Irish pound which was decimalised on Decimal Day, February 15, 1971 it was the second of three new designs introduced all in bronze.
The coin was designed by the Irish artist Gabriel Hayes and the design is adapted from the Book of Kells held in Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland. The coin originally had a diameter of 2.032 centimeters and weight of 3.564 grams consisting of copper, tin and zinc.
The coins official designation was "new penny" and this was changed in 1985 to "penny". In 1990 the decision was taken to produce the coin on a copper plated steel base as the bronze had become relatively expensive. This accounts for the reason that some coins are effected by magnets - these are the steel base plate coins.
The coin was 1/100 of an Irish Pound and was withdrawn on the advent of the euro.
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