Percy Metcalfe

The horse, salmon, bull, wolf-hound, hare, hen, pig and woodcock were all on different denominations of coinage that was known as the Barnyard Collection.

[5] Metcalfe's design based on the Trinity College harp was adopted as the basis for the Great Seal of the Irish Free State in 1923 and has remained the model for all official representations of the harp emblem on seals of state, Irish coinage and the coat of arms.

[8] Metcalfe was immediately assigned to produce a similar crowned portrait of King George VI for overseas use.

He created a portrait of King George V which was used as the obverse for coins of Australia, Canada, Fiji, Mauritius, New Zealand and Southern Rhodesia.

To commemorate the extraordinary visit that George VI and Queen Elizabeth set out on to North America in 1939, three series of medallions were designed for the Royal Canadian Mint.

The reverse side of the coins contained a joint profile of George VI and Queen Elizabeth, which was designed by Metcalfe.

Metcalfe created a British Jubilee crown piece, which was exhibited in the Leeds College of Art in November 1946.

Along with the horse and the hound, the series of coins pays tribute to three animals which have important historical connections with Ireland.