thats an irish wolfhound on a six pence coin.they were the first coins the free state minted. it was determined that people associated with "the present time" should not be incorporated on any designs, no doubt due to the deep divisions carved by the Irish Civil War. It was later decided that anything with religious or cultural connotations should be avoided because this might have led to coins becoming relics or medals. At the time, and for centuries previously, agriculture was essential to the economy of Ireland and this theme was decided upon for the coins, which used designs featuring anim