Penny (Irish decimal coin) from 2002 on its own). Penny (Irish decimal coin) The decimal one penny (1p) () coin was the second smallest denomination of the Irish pound. It was first issued when the Irish currency was decimalised on Decimal Day, 15 February 1971. It was the second of three new designs introduced all in bronze, the others being a half-penny and a two pence coin. All featured ornamental birds designed by Irish artist Gabriel Hayes on the reverse. The coin originally had a diameter of 2.032 centimetres and mass of 3.564 grams consisting of copper, tin and zinc. This was identical to
Coins of the pound sterling and have ceased to be legal tender. <nowiki>* The specifications and dates of 5p, 10p, and 50p coins refer to the larger sizes issued in 1968 and 1969 respectively. † The specification refers to the round coin issued from 1983–2016. Although obsolete, this coin is still redeemable at banks and still legal tender on the Isle of Man.</nowiki> All modern British coins feature a profile of the current monarch's head on the obverse. There has been only one monarch since decimalisation, Queen Elizabeth II, so her head appears on all decimal coins, facing to the right (see also Monarch's head,