Over 300 million Punts still out there.

**the 12 th man** · 27/12/2005, 10:08 AM

According to The Central Bank.

Whats really baffling is only about 30% is coinage so that still leaves over 200 million in notes still stashed in various places.

There is still about 50 to 60 people going to the central bank every day to redeem old notes & coins.Now where could that dosh be?.

**Lionel Ritchie** · 27/12/2005, 11:09 AM

My initial thoughts were that a lot of it could be in the hands of criminal/subversive elements but I'm guessing they'd have tried to convert it somehow a good while back.

It was widely reported around the time of the changeover that some very nasty individuals here in Limerick were leaning on people in particular areas to take "interest free loans" from them to clear mortgages etc. The upside of this uncharacteristic philanthropy was that the repayments would be streaming back in Euros.

**Réiteoir** · 27/12/2005, 8:29 PM

Can you still exchange coins after all this time?

**sligoman** · 27/12/2005, 8:39 PM

Originally Posted by Réiteoir

Can you still exchange coins after all this time?

I didn't think you could. I thought you had like a year after it was introduced or something like that. I know the Central Bank in Dublin had an extended period than anywhere else but afaik, that's up now.

**drinkfeckarse** · 28/12/2005, 9:04 AM

That's a shame, I've got 2 pound coins in the house

**Poor Student** · 28/12/2005, 10:42 AM

I collect coins and must have a good few pounds in coinage at home. I also have two fivers and I think there's a twenty lying around the house somehwere too.

**razor** · 28/12/2005, 10:47 AM

i found a 5 pound note in my desk drawer while doing a spring clean the other week.

**the 12 th man** · 28/12/2005, 11:21 AM

Originally Posted by Réiteoir

Can you still exchange coins after all this time?

You can still exchange it but only in the Central Bank in Dame St in Dublin.They have said they will exchange it and have put no finish up date on it.So you're safe enough with any old stuff you still have.

**Gareth** · 28/12/2005, 12:59 PM

As a worker in that very establishment, you certainly can exchange it!! Steady flow of people come in still. I am always amazed at it.

**the 12 th man** · 29/12/2005, 7:29 AM

Originally Posted by Lionel Ritchie

My initial thoughts were that a lot of it could be in the hands of criminal/subversive elements but I'm guessing they'd have tried to convert it somehow a good while back.

Indeed there were a load of big cash bets placed with on course bookmakers in around the time of the changeover as they would get the money "laundered" if and when they got paid out.(they used to back horses at very short odds)

**pineapple stu** · 29/12/2005, 7:33 AM

I've got one of everything up to £50 (never came across a £100 note), plus a ha'penny, thrupence, a florin, a shilling...!

**onenilgameover** · 29/12/2005, 9:53 AM

I'd say a good 10 to 15% is down the back of the sofa's of Ireland. I once found for 4 spoons 2 knives a packet of soft chewey fruits 4 punts 76p and about 3 euro in one search....Its well worth the trouble....Easy Money!

**Ash** · 29/12/2005, 10:07 AM

Whenever the Millennium get to be worth a fortune, I'll b quids in

**pineapple stu** · 29/12/2005, 11:56 PM

Originally Posted by onenilgameover

I once found...4 punts 76p

Something which bugs me - why do people say "punts" now when nobody ever said it when we had our own currency?

Hope the sweets were nice! Don't try to argue you didn't eat them!!

**dcfcsteve** · 30/12/2005, 11:39 PM

Well I've got £35 in notes and nearly £2 in coins framed and ready to go on a wall some-time soon. 1922-2002 RIP

**monkey magic** · 31/12/2005, 11:45 AM

an old geezer handed me in a 20p peice instead of 50c at work a couple of weeks ago.. didnt notice it till i was counting the tills, i know the guy and he wasnt trying to con me or anything. amazing to think he could be still carrying old money around