Coin
½ Crown - Confederate Catholic Kilkenny issue — Ireland
Ireland • Sp# 6557, KM# 51
Overview
A silver ½ Crown coin of Ireland, issued during the Catholic Confederation (1642-1643). Known as the Kilkenny issue or 'Blacksmith's money', the obverse features Charles I on horseback, and the reverse shows an oval shield with arms. These hammered coins were crudely struck imitations of the English half crown.
Specifications
- Country
- Ireland
- Composition
- Silver
- Weight
- 14.4 g
- Diameter
- 34 mm
- Shape
- Round (irregular)
- Technique
- Hammered
- References
- Sp# 6557, KM# 51
- Issuer
- Ireland
Design details
Obverse
Crowned figure of Charles I holding sword and reigns, on horseback left, within beaded inner circle. Script: Latin Lettering: ☩ CAROLVS D G MAG BRI FR ET HIB REX Translation: Charles, by God's grace King of Great Britain, Fance and Ireland
Reverse
Arms in oval shield within cartouche, dividing initials C R, within beaded inner circle Script: Latin Lettering: CHRISTO AVSPICE REGNO
Collector insights
- Series context: Part of the Standard circulation coins series — collectors typically assemble full-year date runs, so single years within an established series carry demand beyond raw mintage.
- Precious metal content: Silver — bullion value provides a price floor, and many circulated examples were melted during the 1979–1980 and post-2010 silver spikes, reducing the surviving population.
- Catalogue reference: Listed as
Sp# 6557, KM# 51. Use this reference code when cross-checking auction archives, dealer inventories, and standard printed catalogues.
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Explore more
Browse more items in the full catalog or view Ireland in the country guide.