Currencies/Irish groat
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Introduction
The Irish Groat was a fourpence silver coin that circulated in Ireland from the late 13th century until the 19th century. It originated under English administration and remained part of Ireland’s monetary system through the medieval and early modern periods. Valued at one-third of a shilling, it was among the smaller denominations used in daily trade and taxation.
History
The Groat was first issued in Ireland under Edward I around 1279, following the English design but struck locally for Irish circulation. Early issues were of fine silver and produced at mints such as Dublin and Waterford, signifying the growing economic integration between Ireland and England.
During the Tudor and Stuart eras, the coin continued intermittently, often with lower silver content as monetary policies changed. Under the Great Recoinage of 1816, the denomination briefly returned as part of the unified British coinage but disappeared by the late 19th century, replaced by the more common threepence and sixpence coins.
Coins
Irish Groats were small silver coins typically weighing around 2 grams. They often displayed inscriptions or royal symbols representing English authority but adapted slightly for Irish circulation. Production standards and metal purity varied depending on the period and political conditions. Most pieces were struck at the Dublin Mint, with some assistance from English mints during high-demand periods. The coin’s small size and moderate value made it suitable for local market use and minor transactions.
Currency
In the pre-decimal system
1 Groat = 4 Pence
1 Shilling = 12 Pence
1 Pound = 240 Pence
The groat served as an accessible trade coin across rural and urban Ireland, easing daily exchange. It gradually disappeared from commerce as newer denominations replaced it in the 19th century.
Legacy
The Irish Groat illustrates Ireland’s long numismatic link with England and the gradual evolution of coinage from medieval autonomy to full integration under British monetary standards. Surviving examples provide insight into centuries of Irish economic and political change.