The Irish 1933 Penny, designed by Percy Metcalfe, features a hen and chicks—symbolizing fertility and national renewal. Though rarely minted, the Irish 1933 Penny marked Ireland’s early independence and cultural revival. Made of bronze, its modest metal choice reflected economic caution during the global Depression.
In 1933, Éamon de Valera rose to power, reshaping Ireland’s constitution and reducing ties with Britain. The Irish 1933 Penny circulated quietly but powerfully during this political shift. Metcalfe’s design on the Irish 1933 Penny expressed rural identity and self-sufficiency, while the bronze underscored practical governance amid economic uncertainty.