A History of Ireland in 100 Objects
Ireland has a rich history of fascinating artifacts. Here are some of the most famous ones:
Ardagh Chalice - A stunning 8th-century silver and gold chalice used in religious ceremonies.
Tara Brooch - An exquisite piece of early medieval jewelry, known for its intricate design.
Derrynaflan Hoard - A collection of ecclesiastical treasures, including a chalice and paten.
Cross of Cong - A 12th-century reliquary cross, crafted to hold a fragment of the True Cross.
Bog Bodies - Naturally preserved human remains found in Ireland's peat bogs, offering insights into ancient rituals.
Broighter Boat - A small, detailed gold model of a boat from the Iron Age.
Faddan More Psalter - A medieval manuscript discovered in a bog, remarkably preserved.
Coggalbeg Hoard - A collection of gold artifacts from the Early Bronze Age.
Loughnashade Horn - A beautifully crafted bronze horn from the Iron Age.
You can explore more artifacts in A History of Ireland in 100 Objects or at the National Museum of Ireland.
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The Ardagh Chalice
The Ardagh Chalice is one of the greatest treasures of the early Irish Church. It is part of a hoard of objects found in the 19th century by a young man digging for potatoes near Ardagh, Co. Limerick.
It was used for dispensing Eucharistic wine during the celebration of the Mass. The form of the chalice recalls late Roman tableware, but the method of construction is Irish.
The Tara Brooch
This brooch was found not in Tara but near the seashore at Bettystown, Co. Meath, in 1850. Along with such treasures as the Ardagh Chalice and the Derrynaflan Paten, the Tara Brooch can be considered to represent the pinnacle of early medieval Irish metalworkers' achievement.
Each individual element of decoration is executed perfectly and the range of technique represented on such a small object is astounding.
Derrynaflan Silver Paten
This silver paten, like the Derrynaflan Chalice, is part of a hoard of altar vessels found at Derrynaflan, Lurgoe, Co. Tipperary.
Used during the celebration of Mass to hold the Eucharist, patens were common in the later Roman world, but few examples survive from early medieval Ireland.
The Cross of Cong
The Cross of Cong was made in 1123 to encase a fragment of the True Cross that was brought to Ireland and displayed in different places around the country.
The cross is so-called because it was kept in the Augustinian Friary at Cong, county Mayo, for centuries.
The Coggalbeg Hoard
The Coggalbeg hoard consists of two gold (sun) discs and a gold lunula (crescent-shaped collar) dating to the Early Bronze Age.
They were found in Coggalbeg bog, Strokestown, Co. Roscommon in 1945, but were forgotten about until they were recovered by An Garda Siochana following a robbery of a pharmacy in Strokestown in 2009.
Catalogue of artefacts
Buckles: Buckles by Marshall +
Buckles 1.6MB (PDF) +
Buckles B&W 14.4MB (PDF) +
Buckles Color 41.8MB (PDF)
Buttons: Button makers +
Livery Buttons +
Livery Button Country +
Livery Buttons Identified +
British Military Buttons +
Livery Final 1.2MB (PDF) +
Livery Buttons 1MB (PDF)
Coins: Medieval Coins 6.7MB (PDF) +
Post Medieval Coins 5.9MB (PDF) +
The Long Cross Coinage of Henry III and Edward I 10MB (PDF) +
Long Cross Pennies +
Edwardian Pennies
Coinweights: For gold coins +
English Weights +
Weights British Isles 22.3MB (PDF)
Crotal Bells: Crotal Bells by Blunt +
Cortal Bell by Blunt 9.5MB (PDF)
Harness Pendants: Medieval Harness pendants and Mounts
Lead Seals: Lead Bag/Bale Seals +
Bagseal Gallery
Seal Matrices: ukdfd.co.uk +
finds.org.uk
Sundials: Pocket sundials +
Stone Sundials Ireland
Thimbles: ukdfd.co.uk +
finds.org.uk
Other artefacts: colchestertreasurehunting.co.uk +
Guides A-Z by image
Gold coins
2008: Fake USA 10 Dollars - Andrew Jackson. Weight: 9.9g instead of 15.5g.
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1927: Fake USA 20 Dollars - Double eagles. Weight: 19.6g instead of 33.5g.
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2014: Ireland 20 Euro. 1000th Anniversary - Battle of Clontarf. Weight: 0.5g. Gold: 0.999.
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1912: United Kingdom ½ Pound (half sovereign). Weight: 4g. Gold: 0.917.
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Silver coins
905: Islamic Samanids 1 Dirham. Weight: 1.83g.
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1035-1060: Hiberno-Norse Kingdom of Dublin 1 Penny. Weight: 1g.
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1272-1307: Newcastle on Tyne, England 1 Penny - Edward I. Weight: 1.05g.
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1279-1302: Ireland 1 Penny - Edward I. Weight: 1.4g.
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1351-1361: England 1 Groat - Edward III. Weight: 4.44g.
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1356: England 1 Groat - Edward III. Weight: 3.14g.
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1399-1412: England ½ Groat - Henry IV. Weight: 1.82g.
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1526-1544: England ½ Penny - Henry VIII. Weight: 0.25g.
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1560-1561: England 1 Shilling - Elizabeth I. Weight: 5.48g.
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1561: England 6 Pence - Elizabeth I. Weight: 2.86g.
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1601: Ireland 6 Pence - Elizabeth I. Weight: 3g.
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1757: United Kingdom 6 Pence - George II. Weight: 3g. Silver: 0.925.
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1805: Ireland 10 pence - Bank of Ireland - Token, George III. Weight: 4.05g.
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1813: Ireland 10 pence - Bank of Ireland - Token, George III. Weight: 3.3g.
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1819: United Kingdom 1 Shilling - George III. Weight: 5.65g. Silver: 0.925.
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1823: United Kingdom 1 Shilling - George IV. Weight: 5.65g. Silver: 0.925.
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1826: United Kingdom 1 Shilling - George IV. Weight: 5.66g. Silver: 0.925.
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1843: United Kingdom 4 Pence - Victoria. Weight: 1.89g. Silver: 0.925.
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1866: United Kingdom 6 Pence - Victoria. Weight: 2.83g. Silver: 0.925.
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1880: United Kingdom 1 Shilling - Victoria. Weight: 5.66g. Silver: 0.925.
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1887: United Kingdom 3 Pence - Victoria. Weight: 1.41g. Silver: 0.925.
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1894: United Kingdom 3 Pence - Victoria. Weight: 1.41g. Silver: 0.925.
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1898: United Kingdom 1 Shilling - Victoria. Weight: 5.66g. Silver: 0.925.
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1920: United Kingdom 3 Pence - George V. Weight: 1.41g. Silver: 0.500.
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1920: United Kingdom 2 Shillings (florin) - George V. Weight: 11.3g. Silver: 0.500.
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1926: United Kingdom 6 Pence - George V. Weight: 2.83g. Silver: 0.500.
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1928: Ireland 1 Shilling - Bull. Weight: 5.66g. Silver: 0.750.
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1928: Ireland 2 Shillings (florin) - Salmon. Weight: 11.31g. Silver: 0.750.
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1928: Ireland ½ Crown - Horse. Weight: 14.14g. Silver: 0.750.
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1928: United Kingdom ½ Crown - George V. Weight: 14.14g. Silver: 0.500.
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1929: United Kingdom 6 Pence - George V. Weight: 2.83g. Silver: 0.500.
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1935: United Kingdom 2 Shillings (florin) - George V. Weight: 11.31g. Silver: 0.500.
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1939: United Kingdom 2 Shillings (florin) - George VI. Weight: 11.31g. Silver: 0.500.
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1944: United Kingdom 6 Pence - George VI. Weight: 2.83g. Silver: 0.500.
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1945: United Kingdom 1 Shilling - George VI. Weight: 5.66g. Silver: 0.500.
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Copper coins
985-1014: Indian Hindu Dynasties - Massa - Raja Raja Chola I. Weight: 3.80g. Copper.
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1602: Ireland 1 Penny - Elizabeth I. Weight: 1.31g. Copper.
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1602: Ireland 1 Penny - Elizabeth I. Weight: 1.70g. Copper.
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1672: Ireland ½ Penny - Mic Wilson. 17th century Token. Weight: 2.98g. Brass.
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1689: Ireland 1 Shilling - James II. Weight: 5.91g. Brass.
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1682: Ireland ½ Penny - Charles II. Weight: 6.50g. Copper.
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1686: Ireland ½ Penny - James II. Weight: 7.45g. Copper.
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1689: Ireland 1 Shilling - James II. Weight: 3.92g. Brass.
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1692: Ireland ½ Penny - William III / Mary II. Weight: 6.7g. Copper.
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1696: Ireland ½ Penny - William III. Weight: 6.2g. Copper.
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1733: Isle of Man 1 Penny - James Stanley. Weight: 9.48g. Copper.
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1741: Province of Holland Duit. Weight: 3.84g. Copper.
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1760: Ireland ½ Penny - George II. Weight: 8.40g. Copper.
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1775: Ireland ½ Penny - George III. Weight: 9.30g. Copper.
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1792: Ireland ½ Penny - Camac Kyan and Camac. Weight: 5.25g. Copper.
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1794: Ireland ½ Penny - J E & Co. (D&H Cork 1). Copper.
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1805: Ireland ½ Penny - George III. Weight: 7.64g. Copper.
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1818: Barcelona 4 Quartos - Joseph Bonaparte. Weight: 9.2g. Copper.
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1822: Ireland 1 Penny - George IV. Weight: 16.5g. Copper.
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1825: United Kingdom 1 Penny - George IV. Weight: 18g. Copper.
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1854: United Kingdom 1 Penny - Victoria. Weight: 18.8g. Copper.
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1863: United Kingdom 1 Penny - Victoria. Weight: 9.45g. Bronze.
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1876: United Kingdom ½ Penny - Victoria. Weight: 5.6g. Bronze.
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1899: United Kingdom 1 Penny - Victoria. Weight: 9.45g. Bronze.
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1917: United Kingdom ½ Penny - George V. Weight: 5.7g. Bronze.
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1917: Denmark 2 öre - Christian X. Weight: 4g. Bronze.
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1934: Ireland 3 Pence - Hare. Weight: 3.24g. Nickel.
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1935: Ireland 6 Pence - Irish Wolfhound. Weight: 4.54g. Nickel.
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1935: Ireland 1 Penny - Hen. Weight: 9.45g. Bronze.
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1938: United Kingdom ½ Penny - George VI. Weight: 5.66g. Bronze.
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1940: Ireland 1 Farthing - Woodcock. Weight: 2.83g. Bronze.
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1941: Ireland ½ Penny - Pig. Weight: 5.67g. Bronze.
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1943: United Kingdom 3 Pence - George VI. Weight: 6.86g. Nickel-Brass.
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1948: United Kingdom 1 Shilling - George VI. Weight: 5.66g. Copper-Nickel.
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1954: Ireland 2 Shillings (Florin) - Salmon. Weight: 11.31g. Copper-Nickel.
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1955: United Kingdom 1 Shillings - Elizabeth II. Weight: 5.66g. Copper-Nickel.
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1957: United Kingdom 2 Shillings (Florin) - Elizabeth II. Weight: 11.31g. Copper-Nickel.
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1959: Ireland ½ Crown - Horse. Weight: 14.16g. Copper-Nickel.
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1965: United Kingdom 5 Shillings - Elizabeth II. Winston Churchill Memorial. Weight: 28.28g. Copper-Nickel.
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1968: USA 1 Cent - Lincoln. Weight: 3.11g. Copper-Zinc.
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Tokens
1650-1670: Ireland 1 Penny - Edmund Spring, flying horse "marchant in dvblin, edmvnd spring". Weight: 1.46g. Copper.
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1834: Ireland 1 Farthing - William IV Weight: 4.5g. Bronze.
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1794: Ireland ½ Penny - Dublin L and R. Emergency coinage. Copper.
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1797: United Kingdom Spade Guinea Gaming Token - George III. Copper.
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1787 - 1797: United Kingdom 1 Farthing - Victoria. Copper.
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1874: New Zealand 1 Penny - Samuel Coombes, Auckland. Copper.
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1850–1880: Obverse: HENRY & JAMES, CITY CLOTHIERS, DUBLIN. Reverse: HENRY & JAMES, 82 DAME ST. WIKTOR OVERCOATS, PARLIAMENT ST.
1787-1797: United Kingdom ½ Penny - George III. Weight: 9.65g. Copper.
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Coin Weight for 4dwt and 15grs from the 1714 standard.
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Coin Weight. 1 pennyweight (Dwt) = 1.555 grams. 1 grain (Gr) = 0.0648 grams.
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1820-1870: Token - Farthing Dublin, Scott, Bell & Co. Obverse: SCOTT BELL & Co SUCCESSORS TO HARVIES & Co WELLINGTON QUAY DUBLIN.
Reverse: SILK MERCERS. DRAPERS & HOSIERS.
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Dublin Penny token 17th Century. It appears to be similar to the Lewis Des Mynieres penny, sharing the same style of arms on the obverse.
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1851-1887: United Kingdom 1 Florin - Victoria (Fake). Weight: 6.39g. Zinc alloy.
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1940-1949: Irish Hospital Sweeps - Lucky Token. Weight: 3.29g. Aluminium.
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Coin Weight. Composition: Brass.
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1840: Medal - Victoria, Anti-Corn Law League. Pewter.
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First Communion Medal.
Beer Token - Hamburg. Weight: 7.2g. Brass. Lettering: Holsten Pils The odd Lager. The Holsten-Brauerei AG is a brewery company founded in 1879 in the then Holstein town of Altona (Elbe). It has belonged to Carlsberg A/S since 2004 and has its administrative headquarters in Hamburg's Altona-Nord district on Holstenstraße and its brewery in Hamburg-Hausbruch.
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Medallions
On the right: Bronze medal, 18th century. Inscription: "Here is the Heart That Loved Men So Much Jesus".
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On the left: Arch-Confraternity of The Holy Family Medal. Issued By O' Connor , Limerick. Circ: 1920-50s.
Obverse: Jesus , Mary , Joseph. Reverse: Inscription - Archconfraternity of The Holy Family - Established By By Pius IX - April 1847. Oval Shaped. Brass.
On the right: Large Bronze The Brotherhood of the Holy Family Medal. The Brotherhood of the Holy Family was founded in 1844 by captain Henri Belletable and was part of the Catholic Church. Belletable wanted people to strive for a live without sin by dedicating themselves to Jesus Christ, Mary and Joseph. The city of Helmond was the first parish in the Netherlands with members of the Brotherhood in 1851. Later a secretary was founded in Den Bosch, but in the 1960s the Brotherhood rapidly lost its members because it no longer fitted into the spirit of the age.
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On the left: St. Anthony & St. Francis Medal - 19th century. Inscription obverse: "S. ANT. D. P. - St. Anthony De Padua - of Padua", Reverse: "S. FRA. O.P.N. - St. Francis Ora Pro Nobis - Pray for us”.
On the right: Antique bronze charm religious pendant St. Benedict exorcism medal.
On the left: Vatican reliquary theca with relics of Saint Pope Pius X patron of pilgrims. Inscription: "S. PII X. C. P. - Saint Pius X, Confessor & Pope".
Old Pin Brooch. Jubilee in the Catholic Church 1950. Inscription: "ANNO JVBILAEI MCML".
On the right: This medal commemorates the Third National Catholic Congress held in Norwich in August 1912.
On the left: Victorian Catholic Total Abstinence League Cross, circa 19th-20th century.
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On the right: Vintage Old Sterling silver Eucharist Holy Communion Medal.
On the left: The Maltese cross pendant originates from 1912, assayed in Chester and crafted by Albert Sydenham.
The Maltese cross symbolizes steadfast courage and the knightly virtues of loyalty, honor, and self‑sacrifice. Its eight points traditionally represent the noble qualities expected of those who served to protect others. These eight points are often said to stand for loyalty, piety, generosity, bravery, glory and honor, contempt of death, helpfulness toward the poor and sick, and respect for the Church.
On the right: Antique charm religious pendant St. Benedict exorcism medal.
On the left: Vintage religious pendant with the inscription: "CHILD OF THE HOLY ANGELS".
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On the right: Saint Ignatius of Loyola Pendant.
Father Mathew Total Abstinence Association brooch.
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The medallion of the Virgin Mary standing on a globe with rays of grace flowing from her hands, a design inspired by the visions of Saint Catherine Labouré. The inscription "O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee" is traditional for this type of medal. The first Miraculous Medals were produced in 1832, two years after the apparitions in Paris, and they quickly spread throughout Europe and later the Americas.
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Medallion depicts the Lourdes apparition scene, with the Virgin Mary standing in the grotto and Saint Bernadette kneeling before her.
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Jewelry
On the right: Antique Georgian Era Cufflink in Silver and Faceted Paste Stones circa 1780.
On the middle: Cast copper alloy single-looped oval buckle with integral forked spacers (1350-1450).
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On the right: A Medieval buckle with integral forked spacer (1350-1425).
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On the left: 4 Leaf Clover Pin Badge Irish Shamrock.
On the right: Anglo-Saxon Bronze Dress Pin. Circa 6th-8th Century.
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On the left: An antique watch with a rolled gold bezel, 20 microns thick.
An antique compass.
On the right: Copper alloy Georgian seal matrix, circa 19th-20th century.
On the left: Hallmarks are stamped on the case back of the silver pocket watch.
Military
Vintage Catholic Girls Guide badge - "Bí Ullam" - be prepared.
Irish Engineering & Foundry Union membership badge (1933 - 1956).
Fenian Centenary badge (1850–1950).
Quarter-to-Six Club badge from Butlin’s Camp in Mosney.
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Royal Irish Fusiliers Regiment RIF Shoulder Title.
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Catholic Emancipation Centenary badge (1829-1929).
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Victorian Sherwood Foresters (Derbyshire Regiment) collar badge, British army, c.1881-1902. As shown by the title "Derbyshire" - this was changed to "Notts & Derby" in 1902. The regiment served during the Boer War.
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On the right: Army Temperance Association Pendant, 1893 (No. 6 Issue), awarded to British soldiers who pledged abstinence from alcohol as part of the military temperance movement.
Enamel Cadbury Cococub Club member’s badge from the 1930s, issued as part of a promotional campaign by the British confectionery company Cadbury.
Three cast copper-alloy double loop trapezoidal buckles (1620-1680).
On the right: Cast copper-alloy double loop oval buckle (1500-1650).
On the left: 19th century horseshoe heel plates.
Vintage Belt Buckles.
Vintage Belt Buckles.
On the left: French Au Progrès Saint-Nazaire buckle, early 20th century.
On the left: Vintage saddlers badge.
(D.U.T.C) The Dublin United Tramways Company was the earlier name of the tramway operator in Dublin, while the Dublin United Transport Company was the later name adopted after the organisation expanded its services to include buses. The company operated from 1891, running both tram and bus services in the city. It was dissolved on 1 January 1945, when, under the Transport Act 1944, it was incorporated into the newly established Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ), which remains Ireland’s national transport operator today.
Flower - 19th century harness decoration.
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Georgian silver thimble.
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Vintage copper thimble.
Boy Scout Bronze Woggle "Baden Powell House" 1950/60s.
On the right: Crotal bell.
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Two old English whistles.
Lock cover plate.
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A padlock inspired by the design of Roman padlock.
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A padlock most likely dating to the early 19th century. A similar example can be seen here.
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Victorian key hole surround.
An ornate antique Victorian drawer pull dating from the late 19th century.
A watch winder marked with the address associated with watchmaker Patrick Donegan.
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On the right: A watch winder.
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A bronze weights was used to weigh trade goods like flour, sugar, meat.
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On the right: Vintage 1 oz brass shop weight by Crane of Wolverhampton, circa 1900s.
Eley Bro 12 refers to Eley Brothers, a British ammunition company founded in London in 1828, and a 12-gauge shotgun cartridge.
Gastight Eley London 20 is a vintage 20-gauge shotgun cartridge by Eley Brothers, designed with a sealed case for moisture protection and reliable firing.
.243 Winchester cartridge commonly used for hunting deer and varmints.
12‑gauge shotgun cartridge headstamp, branded by Dublin gunmaker W. Kavanagh & Son and manufactured by Kynoch in Britain. - Such shells were common in the 1890s–1930s.
On the right: An ornamental belt mount or clasp from the late Victorian or Edwardian period, likely attached to leather clothing or a work bag.
Brass lion paw, antique cabinet hardware.
On the right: Copper alloy post-medieval candle snuffer (1670-1690).
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On the left: Vintage bronze snap shackle fixed bail.
Vintage brass cannon miniature.
On the left: Victorian Brass Door Knob Petal Shape.
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Door Knob.
On the left: Harness ring often misidentified as Celtic ring money.
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Victorian printing font used in old newspapers.
Tea Caddy spoon.
18th century brass calendar medal by John Powell, with moonphase calendar to reverse.
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Lead
Two handles from antique lead spoons or forks.
Lead Alloy Dress - Hem Weight.
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Lead toy horse, popular in Victorian England, was a hand painted miniature.
Lead saddlers badge.
Lead cloth seal.
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Lead bale seals.
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Lead bale seals.
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Lead bale seals.
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18th century English musket ball, 31g, 18mm.
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Post medieval bullets.
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On the left: Roman lead sling shot, 606g, 56 x 44 mm.
Lead spindle whorls.
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A lead alloy pyramid-shaped weight, 75.70g. This is most likely a fishing weight.
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A small lead figurine depicting Saint Anthony holding the Christ Child, dated to the 18th–19th century, weighing 10.2 g and measuring 28 mm in height. Saint Anthony of Padua was a Portuguese Franciscan, born in Lisbon in 1195. He became famous as a gifted preacher and a compassionate defender of the poor. Although he is best known as the patron saint of lost items, his patronage is much wider. He is also regarded as a protector of travelers, the poor, sailors, fishermen, the sick, the oppressed, and those seeking a spouse, among many others.
Vintage harmonica reed.
