What to Do with Old Irish Decimal Coins (Pre-Euro)

Ireland switched to the euro on 1 January 2002, demonetizing the Irish pound (punt) and its decimal coins (1971–2000). If you’ve found a stash of old pingin (pennies), scilling (shillings), or pound coins, here are your options.

1. Exchange at the Central Bank of Ireland (Permanent)

• Where: Central Bank of Ireland, North Wall Quay, Dublin 1 (by appointment).
• What’s accepted: All valid Irish decimal coins (½p, 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1) and banknotes.
• Rate: Fixed irrevocable conversion: €1 = £0.787564.
• No deadline: Unlike many eurozone countries, Ireland never set a deadline for coin exchange.
• Process: Fill form, present ID, receive euro via bank transfer.

2. Commercial Banks (Limited)

• Bank of Ireland, AIB, PTSB: May exchange for account holders only, often with limits (e.g., €500 per visit). Policies vary—call ahead.
• Post Office (An Post): No longer exchanges coins.

3. Donate to Charity

• Many Irish charities (e.g., ISPCC, Barnardos, Irish Cancer Society, local hospices) run “foreign coin” drives.
• Drop at charity shops or collection boxes in libraries, supermarkets, schools.
• Charities bulk-send to Central Bank or specialist coin recyclers.

4. Creative Reuse & Crafts

• Jewelry: Drilled coins → pendants, earrings, cufflinks (10p, 20p, 50p work well).
• Mosaics / table tops: Embed in resin or grout.
• Framed displays: Shadow boxes with coin sets by year/design.
• Educational: Teach kids pre-euro currency, Irish wildlife designs (salmon, hare, horse, woodcock).

5. Sell to Collectors / Dealers

• High-value coins: 1985 20p (low mintage), 1990 50p (ECU presidency), 1995 £1 (UN), proof sets, errors.
• Platforms: eBay Ireland, Adverts.ie, Numista, Irish coin dealers (e.g., Spink, Whyte’s).
• Condition matters: Uncirculated / proof >> circulated.

Coin Designs Quick Reference

Bottom Line

Best value: Exchange at Central Bank (full face value in euro). Most meaningful: Donate to Irish charity. Most fun: Turn into wearable art. Just don’t toss them—they’re still legal tender at the Central Bank forever.