The cupronickel coin contained 75% copper and 25% nickel.

When the currency was decimalised, this coin continued to circulate alongside its replacement five pence (which also featured a bull on the reverse); the shilling was finally withdrawn from circulation on 1 January 1993 as a smaller five pence coin was introduced.

The reverse design featuring a bull was by English artist Percy Metcalfe.

From 1928 to 1937 the date was split either side of the harp with the name Saorstát Éireann circling around.

From 1938 to 1968 the inscription changed to Éire on the left of the harp and the date on the right.