Coin appraisals

The fifty pence coin was introduced on February 17 1970 and is a seven sided coin, an equilateral curve heptagon of constant breadth (3 centimetres) and mass 13.5 grams. The sides are not straight but are curved so that the centre of curvature is the opposite apex of the coin - this is an equilateral curve which allows the coin to roll freely in slot machines. The coin used the woodcock design from the farthing coin produced for the Irish Free State in 1928. On May 31 1988 a special design was circulated for the “Dublin Millennium”, although it was noted, at the time, that Dublin was older than 1,000 years - the issue was regarded for publicity and collectors only.

The millennium coin was the first decimal to feature words on it, the word “Dublin” in Roman script and “Áth Cliath” in Gaelic script, its equivalent in the Irish language. The coin was designed by Tom Ryan who would later design the Irish pound coin featuring the Irish red deer.

Production of fifty pence coins ceased between 1988 and 1996 because of previous oversupply and because of reduced demand following the introduction of the twenty pence coin. The coin was worth 1/2 of an Irish Pound and was withdrawn on the advent of the euro in 2002.

• Coinage (Design of Fifty Pence Coin for Year 1988) Regulations, 1988