asked the Minister for Finance how many ten-shilling commemorative coins were issued; and if he can explain why they are not in general use.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - 1916 Commemorative Coins.
55.
A total of 685,200 ten-shilling coins have been issued.
In general, the coins distributed in the early weeks of the issue appear to have been retained by holders as souvenirs, so that few coins went into general circulation. The absence of banking services during the period of the strike last summer slowed down the making of further issues and when the banks reopened in August the period of the official commemorative celebrations had passed and public interest in the new coin had lessened. The coin was, of course, intended as a commemorative coin and not as a replacement for the 10/- note in general use.
Only one Party cashed in on that.