So... is the harp the obverse or the reverse of many of Ireland's coins? Or does it depend?

Basically the former. Not sure whether it's because of the harp or because of the country name (which on Irish legal tender coins is apparently always on the same side as the harp), but the side with the harp is usually considered the obverse. Also, with euro coins the country specific side is the obverse ...

Christian

Thanks! I'd hate to have them listed backwards.

Ah, she must have found an Erse penny in her batch. I consider that it is the obverse with the harp.

On US coins the eagle is the reverse.
On Mexican coins the eagle is the obverse.

Love them all; I've discovered my husband's taken quite a liking to that Churchill piece for some reason A sucker for European Theatre WWII, I'm afraid...

As for Mexican coins - I never knew that, good to know now - Thanks!

The harp is a constant, the animal designs change between the denominations, though it is weird they seem to be ruled by an ancient musical instrument....

Mr K. better not say that here on the forum or he will have a tonne of them sent. For they are the bane of British type collectors everywhere.

That instrument can actually be visited. It's the King Brian Boru harp, at Trinity College in Dublin. The only Irish coin (AFAIK) that does not have the harp is the Easter Rising commem from 1966.

On Irish circulation coins issued after 2000, the harp is unfortunately the sole design for all eight coin denominations. A little dull, but well, if that is what they want ...

Christian

There are far more attractive scenic destinations in Eire like my very own avatar than the mere harp.