Central Bank issues coin commemorating the 70th anniversary of Peace in Europe

The Central Bank of Ireland has today launched a €10 limited issue silver proof collector coin to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of Peace in Europe. This coin is part of the Europa Star series.

At the launch at the Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin, Former President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, spoke about Schuman and Monnet’s ideal - to build a partnership between neighbours who had been enemies, and to forge a union of common endeavour that would secure peace. She said: “The Central Bank's gesture with this beautiful coin reminds us that this peace belongs to us all and no matter what comes or goes in our lives as individuals.”

The coin has been struck to the highest proof quality in .925 Sterling Silver and is enclosed within its own elegant presentation case. The coin was designed by Michael Guilfoyle and has an issue limit of 8,000 units.

The coin will be on sale to the public from 28 October 2015. Coins can be purchased by downloading an order form from www.centralbank.ie, by phoning 1890 307 607 or directly from the Central Bank on Dame Street in Dublin at a cost of €55.

Notes

A proof coin is a coin struck using a special, high-quality minting process which is made especially for collectors. It comes with a numbered Certificate of Authenticity testifying to the issue limit.

Michael Guilfoyle is an artist, engraver and graphic designer. He previously designed the €10 Silver Proof Coin commemorating Jack B Yeats in 2012 and the €10 Silver Proof coin commemorating the Irish tenor Count John McCormack in 2014. He has also designed the 1916 commemorative silver and gold coin for 2016.

Other upcoming events in the Central Bank’s coin programme

Details of the Central Bank’s collector coins are available on our website here.

Also this month, the Central Bank will issue 1,000,000 pieces of a commemorative €2 coin to celebrate ’30 Years of the European Flag’. This coin is being issued this year by all 19 euro-issuing member states. This is the fourth time that Eurozone nations will participate in a joint circulating commemorative €2 coin programme, following similar programs in 2007, 2009 and 2012. A design by a coin engraver at the Bank of Greece, George Stamatopoulos was chosen in an online poll by the European Commission. The Central Bank will issue 1,000 proof sets containing this commemorative €2 coin.

The Central Bank will also issue coins in 2016 to mark the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising. There are two designs. The first will be used on €2 coins to be issued into general circulation in January 2016. This circulating €2 coin will also be included in a proof set and an annual mint set. The second will be used for the Central Bank’s gold and silver proof collector coins which will be available in March 2016.