The Hare of the Dog

For me the most beautiful design on any series of modern coins are the Irish coins from the 1920s to the 1960s. Simple, flowing images of animals that have meaning to Ireland’s culture & economy.

The coins were chosen in the 1920s by a committee chaired by the poet WB Yeats; the winning designer being Percy Metcalf who was a sculptor & artist. The coins as a group are often called ‘the barnyard set’ which I think is misleading given the full flock, herd, shoal, etc includes a woodcock, an Irish Wolfhound, a salmon, horse, pig, hare, hen & bull.

My photo shows only examples of the threepence and sixpence.