The Irish 1941 Penny, designed by Percy Metcalfe, features a hen and chicks—symbolizing fertility and self-sufficiency. Struck in bronze, the Irish 1941 Penny reflected wartime metal conservation, as Ireland faced material shortages during World War II, despite remaining officially neutral. Its modest composition and agrarian imagery matched national economic priorities.
In 1941, Ireland’s neutrality policy, or “The Emergency,” shaped political and economic life. The Irish 1941 Penny, with Metcalfe’s Celtic-inspired design, reinforced cultural identity and economic independence. Amid restricted trade and rationing, the coin’s symbolism and durable bronze construction supported a message of resilience and national unity.