Coins can be collected in various manners: coins for circulation versus coins for collectors, individual coins versus sets or rolls, circulated coins versus mint state, every date and mint mark versus major types. This Web site presents information to help with assembling a "type" collection of individual circulated Ireland coins.

What is "type" collecting? Type collecting is assembling coins of different designs. A type set generally excludes minor variations that include the same basic design. Examples are date change, and mint marks. Major variations in coin composition (such as a switch from 75% silver to copper-nickel) constitute a type change, but a minor variation (such as size or placing of letters) do not represent a type change.

Different collectors will have their own opinions of what coins should be included in a type collection. The following is my interpretation of significant year-to-year changes in Irish Free State circulating coins.

The monetary system of Irish Free State:

• 4 Farthings = 1 Penny (Pence)
• 12 Pence = 1 Shilling
• 2 Shillings = 1 Florin
• 5 Shillings = 1 Crown

1 farthing	Starting with 1928-1937
1/2 penny	Starting with 1928-1937
1 penny	Starting with 1928-1937
3 pence	Starting with 1928-1935
6 pence	Starting with 1928-1935
1 shilling	Starting with 1928-1937
1 florin	Starting with 1928-1937
1/2 crown	Starting with 1928-1937

References:
- 1994 Standard Catalog of World Coins, by Chester L. Krause and Clifford Mishler, 1993.
- 2007 Standard Catalog of World Coins, by Chester L. Krause and Clifford Mishler, 2006.
- The Guidebook and Catalogue of British Commonwealth Coins, 3rd Edition, 1649-1971, by Jerome Remick, Somer James, Anthony Dowle, and Patrick Finn, 1971