A new €2 coin has been introduced into circulation by the Central Bank to commemorate the 1916 Easter Rising. The coin will come into circulation from today and some 4.5 million are expected to be released.
The design for the coin was made by Emmet Mullins who's proposal was chosen from a competition that saw 52 Irish and international designers submit their ideas based on the Proclamation of the Irish Republic.
The coin features a representation of the statue of Hibernia (the historic personification of Ireland) on top of the GPO. It also features the centenary dates and the name 'Hibernia' in hand-rendered lettering, influenced by the Book of Kells.
"It's a significant achievement for us to mint and issue our own circulating commemorative coin" said Paul Molumby, director of currency and facilities management at the Central Bank.
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"The design reflects back to the GPO and its association with the Easter Rising and the reading of the Proclamation. We are working with the banks, An Post, and the cash-in-transit companies to get the coin into circulation as soon as possible".
Via Newstalk
