The Irish shilling, introduced in 1928, was a key part of Ireland’s pre-decimal currency system and remained in use until 1971 when Ireland switched to decimal currency. The Irish shilling was valued at 12 pence and played a significant role in daily transactions.
Percy Metcalfe designed the shilling, featuring a bull on the reverse side to symbolise the importance of cattle in Irish agriculture. The obverse side displayed the Irish harp, a traditional emblem of Ireland, reflecting Irelands’s cultural heritage and agricultural roots.
After decimalisation, the shilling continued to circulate as a five pence coin until the early 1990s. The designs on the shilling, showcasing the bull and harp, highlighted Ireland’s pride in its agricultural economy and rich cultural traditions, making it a significant cultural artifact.