The Central Bank of Ireland doesn’t release many precious metal commemorative coins, usually countable on the fingers of one hand, but they do release some fine ones. With the 100th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Ireland coming up on the 24th April 2016, the bank is keen to commemorate the event and will release in March a design by the Royal Mint trained graphic designer, Michael Guilfoyle. The artist won the competition launched in an Irish Times advertisement in January 2015, beating out 50 competitors (another choice was made to adorn a €2 bi-metallic coin). The coins will be struck at a European Mint.

Having many parallels with the British coin icon Britannia, the personification of Hibernia on this coins reverse face looks to be a fine looking affair, standing proud and carrying the traditional harp. It’s actually a representation of a statue of Hibernia, the historic personification of Ireland, on top of the GPO in Dublin, the headquarters of the provisional government during the Rising. In the background are some of the powerful words incorporated into the Proclamation of the Irish Republic as read by Patrick Pearse outside the GPO.

There will be three versions of the coin, a €15 silver proof (spec to follow), and  €50 ¼oz, and €100 ½oz gold coins. Prices will be €45, €375, and €730. A double set incorporating the silver and the smaller gold will also be available for €430, not a great value unless there’s something else in the package to justify the higher cost. All will come boxed and with a Certificate of Authenticity. We’ll have actual coin pictures up when we get them, as well as mintages, but this should give you a decent first look.