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Harpist Reverse of 1992 25 ECU Northern Ireland Pattern Crown
Harpist on Reverse of 1992 25 ECU Northern Ireland Pattern Crown

Obverse of 1992 Northern Ireland 25 ECU Pattern Crown
Obverse of 1992 Northern Ireland 25 ECU Pattern Crown

The ECU - European Currency Unit
As the European Economic Community, or the European Union made its moves towards a common currency, the ECU came into being. Although at first the ECU was a unit of account, it had long been expected to be converted into a circulating currency. In most European countries there were pattern coins issued exploring the design possibilities of the anticipated new coinage. Some of these issues were design exercises carried out by official mints, others were privately issued.

Private Pattern Coins
There is quite a long tradition of private individuals or companies designing and striking proposed new coin designs. Certainly Thomas Simon engraved and produced at his own expense, a pattern crown which he presented to Charles II in 1663, in the hope of being appointed chief engraver at the Royal Mint. At other times when great changes to our coinage have been expected there has been considerable activity in producing private patterns. Before the great coinage reform of 1816, there were many unofficial patterns produced by Matthew Boulton and James Watt, who eventually produced the famous cartwheel pennies, and also supplied much of the Royal Mint's new machinery. Again in early Victorian times, when Britain was starting to think about decimalisation, many pattern coins, official and unofficial were produced. Nowadays there is a good demand for these rare antique pattern coins, and many of them command high prices.

1992 ECU Northern Ireland Pattern Crown
We have recently acquired a small quantity of pattern ECU coins including a Northern Ireland 25 ECU dated 1992. This is part of a series which includes ECU patterns for England, Scotland, Wales, France, Greece and Spain. Northern Ireland Obverse Design
The obverse design, which we believe was by Raphael Maklouf, shows a globe with a map of Europe edged by twelve stars representing the twelve member states, with Neptune and Europa reaching across the top. The inscription reads:-
EUROPE   EUROPA
N. IRELAND

Reverse Design
Colleen Playing an Irish Harp
The harp has long been a symbol of Ireland. The reverse design of this coin shows a harpist playing a harp.
The inscription reads:-
TWENTY FIVE ECU
1992

Specifications
DiameterDenominationWeightAlloy
38 mms25 ecu20 gramsCupro-Nickel

Prices
DateDenominationTypePrice £Price $
199225 ECUNorthern Ireland£4.95$7.95

Postage & Packing:
UK: At buyer's Risk £3.50 or
Fully Insured £9 (Usually by Royal Mail Special Delivery)
USA: Airmail at buyer's risk $10 or
Fully Insured $20

Order Form - UK
Order Form - USA
Order Form - EU
Order Form - Rest of World

1992 ECU Patterns - England
1992 ECU Patterns - Scotland
1992 ECU Patterns - Wales
ECU & Euro Pattern Coins

Euro Coins and Notes
More about the EuroZone


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