The Irish 1941 Half Penny, designed by Percy Metcalfe, featured a barnyard hen with chicks, symbolizing agricultural heritage. Struck in bronze (95% copper, 5% tin and zinc), it circulated during World War II, when Ireland remained neutral but faced economic strain. Wartime trade restrictions limited metal imports, making the Irish 1941 Half Penny part of a period of resource conservation and economic self-sufficiency.
Politically, Éamon de Valera maintained Ireland’s neutrality, while rationing and supply shortages affected daily life. The Irish 1941 Half Penny reflected a nation balancing tradition with wartime realities. Metcalfe’s design reinforced Irish identity, and the coin’s durable bronze composition ensured circulation despite material scarcity. The Irish 1941 Half Penny remains a historical artifact of resilience and economic adaptation.