Book of Kells Bird & Harp Irish Penny Ireland Authentic Coin Money for Jewelry and Craft Making

Irish Book of Kells Bird & Harp Penny Ireland Authentic Coin Charm for Jewelry and Craft Making

Obverse: Irish harp with the country name to the left and the date to the right
Lettering: éIRe 1990
Translation: Ireland 1990

Reverse: Stylized bird adapted from an ornamental detail in the book of Kells and the denomination to the right
Lettering: 1P
Translation: 1 Penny

Features
Issuer Ireland
Period Republic (1937-date)
Type Standard circulation coin
Years 1988-2000
Value 1 Penny (0.01 IEP)
Currency Pound (decimalized, 1971-2001)
Composition Copper plated steel
Weight 3.56 g
Diameter 20.3 mm
Thickness 1.65 mm
Shape Round
Orientation Medal alignment ↑↑
Demonetized 02-09-2002
Number N# 2171
References KM# 20a, Sp# 6709

Stylized bird adapted from an ornamental detail in the Book of Kells. The Book of Kells (sometimes known as the Book of Columba) is an illuminated manuscript Gospel book in Latin, containing the four Gospels of the New Testament together with various prefatory texts and tables. It was created in a Columban monastery in either Britain or Ireland and may have had contributions from various Columban institutions from both Britain and Ireland. It is believed to have been created c. 800 AD. The text of the Gospels is largely drawn from the Vulgate, although it also includes several passages drawn from the earlier versions of the Bible known as the Vetus Latina. It is a masterwork of Western calligraphy and represents the pinnacle of Insular illumination. It is also widely regarded as Ireland's finest national treasure.

The Harp And Celtic Harp Music Has Been An Important Emblem Of Irish Nationalism Since The 10Th Century. King Griffith Of Wales Employed Harpists In His Court At The End Of The 11Th Century. By The End Of The 12Th Century, Manuscript Illustrations Show Harps With More Advanced Designs. The Irish Were By Then Playing Harps With Brass, Or Bronze, Strings. Records From The 15Th Century Show That Both The Terms "Harp" And "Clarsach" Were In Use At About The Same Time And Seemed To Have Been A Distinction Between Gut-Strung European-Style Harps And Wire-Strung Gaelic Clarsachs Of Scotland And Ireland.