The Irish six pence coin was designed by Percy Metcalfe and featured a wolf hound on the reverse. 

On the other side(obverse) is the Irish harp, from 1928-1935 the date was split on either side of the with saorstát éireann 

(irish freestate) and from 1939-1969 (the last year minted) éire was on the left of the harp and the 

date on the right hand side.

The coin is 0.825 inches (21mm) in diameter - 1.9mm thick and weighs 4.54 grams

From 1928 until 1940 the coin was made from nickel and from 1942 until the last year minted - 1969 the coin was made of cupronickel - 75% copper and 25% nickel

The sixpence was worth 1/40 of a pound and half a shilling 

It was first issued in 1928 and was the only pre decimal coin minted in 1969, it was circulated until decimalization in 1971