I often look for odd photos. Recently while on an internet auction site, I cam across a 1920 news service 8x10 featuring sample "coinage" designs for the Irish Free State.

This is a International News Service 7x9 photo with the caption: "Here is a reproductionof some of the gold pieces and other currency to be issued by the New Irish Free State. Gaelic inscription will replace the old english wording, although the coin denomination will coordinate with the British coinage value. Dated March 1, 1922"

At first I thought these were cardboard examples of coin denominations done hastely to replace British coins. Then I thoguht about it further, and have decided that they are probably cardboard coins to be used in training purposes due to the language change.

Sadly they do not look like the issued coins. It was decided to hold an international design compeition for the circulation designs, which featured an Irish Harp on the obverse and native animals on the reverse.

George