Central Bank issues €10 Silver Proof Ha’penny Bridge coin

• Limited edition coin commemorating the iconic Ha’penny Bridge in Dublin
• Coin issued as part of the European Silver ‘Great Ages of Europe’ Programme
• Coin available to buy for €60 on collectorcoins.ie

A new €10 limited edition silver proof coin has been launched by the Central Bank of Ireland which commemorates the Ha’penny Bridge in Dublin. The bridge, which was built in 1816 and has entered its third century of service to the people of Dublin, was the first pedestrianised bridge to cross the Liffey connecting the north and south of Dublin City. A coin has been presented to Ardmhéara Mícheál Mac Donncha, first citizen of Dublin, for display at the Mansion House.

As the Ha’penny Bridge is such an iconic landmark of Dublin, a coin has also been specially presented to the manager of the victorious Dublin Senior Football Team, Jim Gavin and to the manager of the victorious Dublin Ladies Senior Football Team, Mick Bohan, to the to mark their achievements in 2017.

This coin is part of the European Silver ‘Great Ages of Europe’ Programme, running from 2016-2020. The Programme links in with euro banknotes, which celebrates architecture on the €20 - €500 bank notes. The 2017 issue celebrates “The Age of Iron and Glass - An Irish Context”. An open competition was held for coin designs on this theme and the winning design by Antonella Napolione depicts the iconic Ha’penny Bridge from the perspective of a pedestrian crossing its distinctive archway. The coin has been struck in .925 sterling silver by BH Mayer Mint in Germany.

The Ha’penny Bridge coin is available to buy at a cost of €60, with an issue limit of 4,000 pieces. Coins can be purchased on our newly launched website at collectorcoins.ie. Current and prospective customers can browse at length with ease of access to information about our coins.  Registered customers will have the ability to check orders and order history.

Notes

Proof Coin

Proof coins are collectable coins and are not intended for general circulation. They are minted using specially polished dies and blanks that give them a mirror-like finish. These coins are struck at least twice during the minting process. They are individually handled and protectively stored in order to prevent tarnishing. This is in comparison to general circulating coins, which are struck once during the minting process and are handled in bulk. The defined, intricate and shiny appearance of proof coins gives them their collectable quality.

The Ha’penny Bridge

The Ha’penny Bridge opened in May 1816, and has now entered its third century of service to the people of Dublin.  It was one of the first metal bridges anywhere in the world, a thoroughbred from the great ironworks of Coalbrookdale in Shropshire. It was also the first pedestrian bridge across the Liffey and retained the distinction of being the only pedestrian bridge across the river until the opening of the Millennium Bridge in 1999. 

The charge for using the new bridge was the same as that for using the old ferry – one half-penny.  It has been known by several names over the years – the Wellington Bridge, Liffey Bridge, Metal Bridge, Triangle Bridge and Iron Bridge.  But it is the name ‘Ha’penny Bridge’ that has persisted.  Control of the bridge reverted to Dublin Corporation as the original ninety-nine year lease expired.  Tolls were eliminated in 1919.