Press Release 25 January 2012
The Central Bank of Ireland today launched a limited edition €10 collector coin in honour of the artist, Jack B. Yeats.
Designed by Michael Guilfolyle, the silver proof collector coin features a portrait of Yeats overlooking a sketch of a horse. Horses were often depicted in Yeats’ paintings as the centre of Irish rural life and as a symbol of movement and drama. The coin is Ireland’s contribution to this year’s European Silver Coin Programme which, for 2012, allows each member state of the eurosystem to issue a collector coin in celebration of a European artist. The programme is represented by the Europa star symbol which also features on the coin.
Speaking at the launch, Gerry Quinn, Chief Operations Officer at the Central Bank of Ireland, said: ‘I am confident this coin will prove very popular, both nationally and internationally, given the high regard for the work of Jack B. Yeats. In the year of the 2012 Olympic Games, it is worth noting that Yeats holds the distinction of being Ireland’s first medallist at the Olympic Games following the creation of the Irish Free State. At the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris, Yeats’ painting The Liffey Swim won a silver medal in the arts and culture segment of the Games, and we are delighted and honoured to have this wonderful artwork with us at today’s launch. On behalf of the Central Bank, I would like to thank the Yeats family and the National Gallery of Ireland for their assistance with this project.’
Speaking on behalf of the Yeats’ estate, Catríona Yeats, grand-niece of the artist, said: ‘The Yeats family is delighted that Jack B. Yeats will be pictured on the coin. Michael Guilfoyle’s design is impressive and striking in its simplicity and the coin is a fine tribute to Jack B.’
The collector coins, which have an issue limit of 12,000 units, are available to the public from today. Orders can be placed by downloading the order form from the website www.centralbank.ie or by calling 1890 307 607. Alternatively the coin can be purchased directly from the Central Bank of Ireland on Dame Street, Dublin at a cost of €46.