Traditional Irish Silver Gift Coins
Written by Ciaran on Aug 13, 2024 | 0 Comments
Giving gifts to mark milestones like births, marriages, anniversaries and coming of age is customary in Ireland as it is in many parts of the world. But for many of these events, it’s precious silver in particular, in the form of jewellery or special coins, that is traditional. What is the origin of this tradition of giving silver? And what silver gifts are common today?
History of silver gifts in Ireland
Precious metals hold a special place in cultures around the world. In ancient Ireland, it was gold and silver jewellery and adornments that held sway for hundreds of years. Fine torcs, bangles, beads, brooches and fasteners were items, often gifted, that showed wealth and power. So is it any wonder that precious metal jewellery remains a common gift in Ireland to show admiration and love.
A silver horde containing numerous arm rings in a torc style found near Clew Bay in Co. Mayo in 1939.
Photo Credit: National Museum of Ireland (CC-BY-SA-2.0)
These items were used as a sort of currency, along with cattle, as Irish-made coins only surfaced with the arrival of the Normans in 1169. However, despite the late start in adopting coins compared with the rest of Europe, based on the prevalence of stories in Irish folklore, it seems they were enthusiastically adopted! Stories of silver coins are numerous. Many areas have tales of silver secreted away by monks or even fairies and lost pirate treasure bearing fortunes of silver coins.
It is said some of the 200 sacks of silver coins buried by pirates in 1765 on the beach at the aptly named Dollar Bay are still hidden there! A good excuse to head to the beach!
Perhaps it's silver coins' association with fairies and the other world, religious devotion, and wealth and power, even if piratical, that made them a common gift between loved ones to mark milestones. They are also a very real symbol of prosperity with practical use should the recipient ever have need to "cash in" their investment!
Coins to Mark Milestones
Coins were, and still are, often given as a gift to mark births, anniversaries, birthdays, or to mark a marriage here in Ireland.
Silver Coins for Births, Birthdays and Anniversaries
I was given a silver coin on my 21st birthday, and again on the event of my daughter's birth. It’s a common gift from grandparents to a new grandchild or an annual birthday gift from a godparents to a godchild. Loved ones might give a couple a silver coin on their 25th wedding anniversary. The coins I was given are treasured keepsakes and were received as a thoughtful gesture of good luck, health and fortune.
Silver Coins for Marriage
One of the oldest traditions of giving a silver coin surrounds marriage. Either as a gift from parents to daughter on her wedding day. Or as an exchange between couples before or during their marriage ceremony to mark their commitment to each other. We had the good fortune to recently speak with Gail Quinn, an expert about wedding ceremonies. This remains a popular element of many weddings in Ireland today.
With links back to medieval Brehon law in Ireland in the Cáin Lánamna, the "Law of Couples", silver coins are deeply symbolic. Whatever the occasion, they are something to be treasured, an investment, and a family heirloom that can be passed on along with the story of the day they commemorate.
What Silver Coin to give?
A silver sixpence was a common choice in Ireland many years ago when they were the currency of the land. These days people often choose a specially minted coin made of pure silver. After being asked several times over the years if we sold such items, we are excited to share our Traditional Irish 1oz Silver Gift Coin.
Crafted from 1 oz of pure silver, adorned with beautiful Irish and Celtic designs, including the tree of life, the Celtic knot on one side and the triskele, and the harp on the reverse, this coin is weighty and deeply symbolic. Each coin also comes with a beautiful display box and stand perfect for gifting, displaying, or safely storing this lovely keepsake.
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Ciaran
My Irish Jeweler
Born in Co. Antrim and reared in Dublin, I was fascinated with Gaelic culture from an early age. I suppose it's not surprising given my mother inherited a grá for the Irish language from my grandfather, an Irish school headmaster. And that grá continues! My brother and sister are now Gaelic teachers here in Ireland, my niece is an award winning Irish dancer, and I proudly work to share Irish culture through our Irish and Celtic Jewelry at My Irish Jeweler!
I love researching and reading about the history of Irish design. It's at the core of what we do here at My Irish Jeweler. I find much of it so interesting that I have to share what I find. I hope you enjoy it!
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