On this page you can find all Euro Ireland Coins, from cents to 1 euro coins and also 2 euro Irish coins. As always we will talk about the history, appearance and rarity of each Irish Euro coins.
Brief History of Irish Coins
Ireland is probably one of the most interesting and particular stories in terms of numismatics. What we want to understand in this article is how the introduction of the euro in Ireland took place, what the coins are, what they are characterized by and what is the currency currently valid in this country.
Like any other country in the European Union, Ireland had its own currency until 1 January 1999: the Irish pound.
This was divided into smaller cuts called pennies in the form in which 100 pence (plural of pennies) were equal to one pound.
In this regard, however, it must be said that until 1826 it followed the British monetary system being deeply linked to it. The definitive unhooking from the English currency happened in 1979 and, the coins realized from that moment on, were totally different from the British ones.
At the beginning of the 90’s, there was a new transformation with the reduction of the size of the 5p and 10p coins, which characterized even more the definitive detachment of Ireland from England.
The entry into force of the euro in Ireland
As mentioned above, the Euro officially entered into force on 1 January 1999, with an exchange rate fixed at 0.787564 Irish pounds for 1 euro. However, the Single European Currency was used exclusively for virtual payments and not for physical ones, while for banknotes and coins the pound was still used.
Pound sterling was defined as “the nondecimal expression of the euro”
From January 1st 2002, instead, banknotes and coins officially entered into force and a phase of double circulation (euro and pounds sterling) started, which went on until February 9th 2002.
Currently the official currency is the euro pounds can still be exchanged without any constraint or time limit.
After this brief introduction concerning the entry of the Euro in Ireland we go to analyze carefully what are the different Irish coins and their characteristics / peculiarities.
To do this we will start from the smallest cuts up to the largest ones, in a journey that will dig deep into the secrets of Irish numismatics.
Let’s start!
1 Cent Irish Euro Coins
Let’s start with the smallest coin in the collection: 1 cent Irish Euro Coin. The coin in question, made by the author Jarlath Hayes, has some very special features as you can see from the image.
On the Obverse is represented the Celtic Harp which is the national symbol of Ireland. This is accompanied on the left by the words “EIRE” which, in the Gaelic alphabet, represents precisely the name IRELAND.
To the right is the thousandth of a coinage. The whole is surrounded by 12 stars which represent specifically the European Union.
The reverse has the same characteristics as all the other nations’ 1-cent coins.
But let’s move on to the technical specifications.
- Outline: The 1 cent Irish coin has a completely smooth edge.
- Material: Made of steel plated with copper in the measure for which there is 94.35% steel and 5.65% copper.
- Diameter: The diameter is very small as it represents the smallest coin for the Irish Euro. Specifically 16.25 mm.
- Thickness: Also in this case we speak of a very low thickness, 1.67 mm.
- Weight: A very light coin weighing 2.3 g.
- Engraver: Jarlath Hayes
Value of 1 Cent Irish Euro Coins
2 Cents Irish Euro Coins
This is the coin of 2 cents Euro Ireland always made by the same author of the previous one: Jarlath Hayes.
In particular, the coin in this case presents the obverse which is perfectly close to that of the others with the representation of the national symbol of Ireland, the Celtic Harp. Also in this case on the left is indicated the inscription “EIRE” that in the traditional Gaelic alphabet indicates precisely Ireland.
On the right instead is indicated the thousandth of minting and the whole is surrounded by 12 stars that indicate the European Union. Naturally the Reverse presents the same characteristics of all the coins from 2 euro cent of the other Nations.
Passiamo alle caratteristiche tecniche.
- Outline: The edge of this coin is very interesting as it is smooth with a horizontal thread in incuso.
- Material: Also in this case we speak of a mixture of steel and copper. Specifically, steel is present for 94.35% and copper for 5.65%.
- Diameter: The diameter is slightly higher than the 1 euro cent coin. Specifically, we are talking about 18.75 mm.
- Thickness: The thickness is exactly the same as the 1 cent coin, 1.67 mm.
- Weight: The weight is definitely contained with 3.06 g.
- Engraver: Jarlath Hayes
Value of 2 Cents Irish Euro Coins
5 Cents Irish Euro Coins
Let us move on to the first most common coin, the 5 cents for Ireland euro coin. The author also in this case is Jarlath Hayes and the characteristics of the coin, in fact, confirm it.
On the obverse side, the coin features the classic Celtic Harp, which is the national symbol of Ireland. To the right of the latter is indicated the thousandth of a coinage while to the left, in the traditional Gaelic dialect, is indicated the words “èire” which means precisely Ireland.
The whole is surrounded by 12 five-pointed stars that indicate the European Union.
As regards the reverso this is identical to that of the other European currencies with the value of 5 euro cent indicated.
Technical characteristics:
- Outline: With the 5 euro cent coin you return to a completely smooth edge without any detail.
- Material: The material used in this case is also an alloy of steel and bronze. Specifically 94.35% is steel while 5.65% is bronze.
- Diameter: The diameter continues to increase compared to the smaller denomination coins reaching 21.25 mm.
- Thickness: The thickness on the contrary is the same as the other two coins or 1.67 mm
- Weight: The weight is slightly higher 3.92 g.
- Engraver: Jarlath Hayes
Value of 5 Cents Irish Euro Coins
10 Cents Irish Euro Coins
It now comes to 10 cents Ireland euro coin. Specifically, the coin engraved by Jarlath Hayes has common characteristics to the others.
The National Face presents the typical Celtic Harp, the national symbol of Ireland. On the left the inscription èire in the typical Gaelic dialect, which translated means precisely the name Ireland.
To the right is commonly indicated the thousandth of minting, all surrounded by 12 5-pointed stars, a classic representation of the European Union.
As far as the Common Face is concerned, this is similar to the other 10 euro cent European coins. It presents two different series, from 2002 and 2007, which differ according to the representation of Europe as you can see in the image.
Let’s see together the technical characteristics of the coin
- Outline: The outline is completely different from the coins seen so far. Specifically, it is striped with thick knurling.
- Material: The material also detaches completely. In particular, this coin is made of Nordic Gold, a special alloy characterized by 89% copper, 5% aluminum, 5% zinc and 1% tin.
- Diameter: The diameter shrinks compared to the previous coin reaching 19.75 mm.
- Thickness: The thickness on the contrary increases being equal to 1.93 mm.
- Weight: The weight also increases slightly to 4.10 g.
- Engraver: Jarlath Hayes
Value of 10 Cents Irish Euro Coins
20 Cents Irish Euro Coins
The 20 cents Ireland euro coin were once again engraved by Jarlath Hayes. In particular, they have some common features with the other coins while differing for some details.
The Obverse represents the typical Celtic harp which is the national symbol of Ireland used even by the President of the Republic in its official symbol. on the right is indicated the thousandth of minting while on the left is the inscription EIRE which in the traditional Gaelic dialect indicates precisely the name “IRELAND”.
Everything is surrounded by 12 stars which symbolize specifically the European Union.
As far as the Reverse is concerned, also in this case it presents two versions, of 2002 and 2007 with the countries of the Euro Zone represented with the borders in the series of 2002 and united in the series of 2007.
Technical characteristics:
- Outline: The outline of this coin is very particular is unique in its kind. In particular, it is referred to as a wide knurling.
- Material: The material is the same as the 10 Euro cent coin or the Nordic Gold made of 89% copper, 5% zinc, 5% aluminum and 1% tin.
- Diameter: The diameter widens becoming not only higher than the 10 centesimi coin but of all the smaller coins being equal to 22.25 mm.
- Thickness: Same for the thickness which is 2.14 mm
- Weight: The weight is also significantly higher than the previous coins with 5.74 g.
- Engraver: Jarlath Hayes
Value of 20 Cents Irish Euro Coins
50 Cents Irish Euro Coins
The next step is the 50 cents Ireland euro coin. Also in this case the author and engraver is Jarlath Hayes who proposes again some of the characteristics of the other coins.
The National Face (obverse) represents the Celtic Harp that you can admire in all its beauty. As you can see from the image above this is significantly larger than that of other coins having the 50 cents coin a larger area of the other.
As always there are the thousandth of minting and the inscription “èire” that indicates the name Ireland in the traditional Gaelic dialect. They are also present the 12 stars to 5 points that represent the European Union.
The Common Face is identical to that of the other 50-cent coins and, also in this case, has two different sets. One from 2002 and the other from 2007 with a map of Europe showing the Euro countries separated in the first series and united in the second.
Let’s move on to the technical specifications:
- Outline: The contour of this coin takes up the characteristics of the 10-cent coin. Specifically, in fact, it is striped with thick knurling.
- Material: Also in this case the material used is the Nordic Gold as you can see from the color of the coin. Specifically it consists of 89% copper, 5% aluminum, 5% zinc and 1% tin.
- Diameter: The diameter of the 50 centesimi coin widens a lot compared to the previous ones. Specifically 24.25 mm.
- Thickness: Even the thickness increases considerably, 2.38 mm.
- Weight: Same for the weight that is really “important” or 7.80 g.
- Engraver: Jarlath Hayes
Value of 50 Cents Irish Euro Coins
1 Euro Coin from Ireland
Here we come to the 1 Euro Ireland coin which, although made by the same author, Jarlath Hayes, has some slightly different characteristics.
Let’s start from the Obverse, which has two different sections. One is lighter inside and one is darker outside. As far as the interior is concerned, also in this case the Celtic Harp is represented as the national symbol of Ireland.
To the right the thousandth of minting while to the left the inscription isire that indicates the term Ireland in the traditional Gaelic dialect.
In the outermost part of the coin, the lighter one, there are instead the 12 stars representing the European Union.
As far as the Reverse is concerned, this is the same as the other 1 Ireland Euro coins. Also in this case there are two series that represent the European borders in a slightly different way.
Technical characteristics:
- Outline: The reason for this specific currency is very particular as it is striped and discontinuous.
- Material: The material used is completely different from those seen so far. Specifically, it is a double material. The external part is in fact made of nickel-brass characterized by 75% copper, 20% zinc and 5% nickel. The inner part is an alloy of 75% copper and 25% nickel.
- Diameter: The diameter is slightly smaller than the 50 euro cent coin. In particular 23.25 mm.
- Thickness: The thickness is 2.33 mm. Slightly lower than the previous coin.
- Weight: The weight is 7.50 g
- Engraver: Jarlath Hayes
Value of 1 Euro Ireland Coin
1 Euro Irish Coin 2002 Value
The 1 Euro Ireland 2002 coin is one of the most sought after by lovers of the Euro collection. However, the value of the 2 euro Ireland 2002 is only facial, so 1 €, but can not miss in the collections of the 1 euro coins of European countries!
2 Euro Coin from Ireland
Finally, here we are with the last of the Irish coins, the 2 Euro Ireland coin. The author is Jarlath Hayes but the technical characteristics are very different from the other coins.
As far as the National Face is concerned, it is characterized by two well divided sections. In the inner part is represented as always the Celtic Harp, national symbol of Ireland.
On the left the classic inscription EIRE in Gaelic dialect indicating the name IRELAND and on the right the thousandth of minting.
In the outer part are represented the 12 stars that symbolize the European Union.
As far as the Common Face is concerned, it is identical to that of the other 2 Euro coins, even if there are two series, the first of which was made between 2002 and 2006. The two versions differ slightly in the representation of the European borders.
Let’s see now the technical characteristics of this coin:
- Outline: The outline is completely different from the coins seen so far. In particular, this is finely knurled with the number “2” in incuso. This is followed by two stars and another “2” upside down. This motif is repeated six times along the whole coin.
- Material: As for the 1 Euro coin, also in this case the material differs between the outside and the inside. The exterior is made of copper for 75% and nickel for 25%. The inner part is made of 75% copper, 5% nickel and 20% zinc.
- Diameter: The diameter is the highest of the Irish coins with 25.75 mm.
- Thickness: The thickness is slightly lower than the 1 euro coin, 2.20 mm.
- Weight: The weight is the highest of all Irish Euro coins or 8.50 g.
- Engraver: Jarlath Hayes
Value of 2 Euro Ireland Coin
2 Euro Irland 2002 Value
As with the 1 Euro Ireland 2002 coin, the 2 Euro Ireland 2002 coin is also very interesting. It is a sought-after coin for the 2 Euro collections but without any particular numismatic value. In short, the value 2 euro Ireland 2002 is only the face value, so 2 € worth.
Want to see more Euro coins?
- Two pages you can’t miss: 2 Euro Commemorative Coins and Rare Euro Coins
- The precious Vatican euro coins can be seen here and also the San Marino euro coins
- Here you can see the Malta euro coins and here the Cyprus euro coins.
- Euro coins from Germany can be found here and Euro coins from Estonia and Latvia Euro Coins here.
- Euro coins from France can be found here, as well as Euro coins from Austria.
- Also of great interest are the euro coins from Greece and the euro coins of Luxembourg.
- Here you will find Lithuania Euro coins and Andorra Euro coins
- We also talked about Slovenian Euro coins and Slovakia Euro coins.
- Check also Spanish Euro Coins here and Euro Coins of Portugal here.
- The Netherlands euro coins can be found here and the Ireland euro coins here.
- All precious Monaco Euro coins are here and Belgium Euro coins here
Hi , I was wondering if it would be possible to get a 1 and 2 cent old euro coins or if you know where I could get it, my nan has a book filling out all the euros from different countries and the only ones she’s missing is 1 cent and 2 cent coin from Ireland. If you could possible get back to me with what I could do or where to find it i would massively appreciate it!