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Old Penny Query

  • 20-05-2013 12:55pm
    #1
    Rho b
    Closed Accounts Posts: 412 ✭✭


    Can anyone tell me where I can get information on the old Penny (hen with chicks) or could someone reading this answer my queries.
    Firstly - what is the significance of the spear/arrow in the hens right claw?
    Secondly - does anyone know what breed of hen was used.

    I have been going through the web but the only info that I can find is that the coins were designed by Percy Metcalf.
    I am from the pre-decimal era and to be honest I never realised the hen carried a spear or bothered to notice how many chicks she had.

    I would also be interested in finding out any other information about the animals used.

    Thanks in advance :)


Comments

  • #2
    ow9654
    Closed Accounts Posts: 132 ✭✭ow9654


    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penny_(Irish_pre-decimal_coin)
    Or
    http://www.irishcoinage.com/MODCOIN.HTM

    Above is the best site for irish coin info. Explains about the animals etc.
    Your two questions I honestly don't know and never realised about the spear.


  • #3
    Rho b
    Closed Accounts Posts: 412 ✭✭Rho b


    Thank you for the reply ow9654. I had come across the irishcoinage site before and found it interesting and informative.
    Maybe someone will have an answer as to why the hen is carrying the spear.


  • #4
    hexosan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,740 ✭✭✭hexosan


    can you post a pic of the coin


  • #5
    ow9654
    Closed Accounts Posts: 132 ✭✭ow9654


    hexosan wrote: »
    can you post a pic of the coin

    It's not about a particular coin, its about the series itself. He has raised a fairly interesting topic to be honest. Look at any penny, there is a spear/arrow
    "what is the significance of the spear/arrow in the hens right claw?"


  • #6
    hexosan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,740 ✭✭✭hexosan


    For reference


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  • #7
    gobnaitolunacy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,073 ✭✭✭gobnaitolunacy


    ow9654 wrote: »
    "what is the significance of the spear/arrow in the hens right claw?"

    Don't mess with this hen?


  • #8
    akeady
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 45 ✭akeady


    For what it's worth, I don't think the hen is holding anything - it looks like her wing on the other side.

    ATB,
    A.


  • #9
    gobnaitolunacy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,073 ✭✭✭gobnaitolunacy


    akeady wrote: »
    For what it's worth, I don't think the hen is holding anything - it looks like her wing on the other side.

    ATB,
    A.

    From my limited knowledge of avian anatomy, I think you may be right.

    Re breed of hen, hard to tell. Think it's intended to be a stylised image of a hen.
    The feathers look a bit overdone and turkey-like.


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