Ireland Euro Coins: Exploring the Design and History of Irish Currency

The euro is the currency of 19 member states within the European Union, collectively known as the Eurozone. In Ireland, the Central Bank plays a crucial role in the euro coin system, acting on behalf of the Minister for Finance in the production and issuance of these coins. Revenue generated from the issue of euro coins, known as seigniorage, is returned to the Irish Exchequer.

Every euro coin has two distinct sides: a common side shared by all Eurozone countries, and a national side unique to each issuing state. The Ireland Euro coins are part of this system, comprising eight denominations ranging from €2 down to 1 cent.

The Uniform Face: Common Side of Euro Coins

Luc Luycx from the Royal Belgian Mint designed the common side of the euro coins. His initials, LL, are subtly placed on this side. The design features a geographical representation of Europe. Notably, the 1c, 2c, and 5c coins depict Europe in relation to Africa and Asia, offering a broader global context, while the higher denominations focus solely on Europe.

The common side’s design was updated in 2007 to reflect the expansion of the European Union, incorporating the 10 new countries that had joined, even if not all were yet in the Eurozone. This update ensures the coins remain representative of a growing and evolving Europe.

The Irish Identity: National Side of Ireland Euro Coins

For the national side of ireland euro coins, Ireland chose to maintain a design deeply rooted in its numismatic history. The chosen emblem is the Celtic harp, a long-standing and iconic symbol of Ireland. This harp design, created by Jarlath Hayes, is not merely decorative; it is a powerful representation of Irish heritage and culture. Accompanying the harp is the year of coin issuance and the inscription “Éire,” which is the Irish word for Ireland, further emphasizing the coin’s national identity.

Interestingly, the edge-lettering found on the Irish €2 coin is identical to the French design. This shared feature is also adopted by other nations including Belgium, Luxembourg, and Spain, highlighting a subtle interconnectedness within the Eurozone despite national distinctions.

Celebrating Europe: Commemorative Ireland Euro €2 Coins

Eurozone countries have the opportunity to issue up to two commemorative €2 coins each year. These special coins are used to mark significant historical events, honor important national figures, or celebrate national treasures, adding a layer of cultural and historical richness to the standard euro coinage. Despite their unique designs, commemorative coins retain the same features, properties, and legal tender status as regular €2 coins.

While member states are responsible for the design and issuance of these commemorative coins, the European Central Bank (ECB) provides oversight by approving the volume of coins each country is permitted to issue.

Ireland has actively participated in this commemorative coin program, issuing four joint commemorative coins with other Eurosystem countries to mark key milestones in European Union history. These include the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome (2007), 10 years of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) (2009), a decade of Euro banknotes and coins (2012), and 30 years of the EU flag (2015).

In 2016, Ireland further demonstrated its national expression within the euro system by issuing its first national commemorative €2 coin. Designed by Emmet Mullins, this coin depicted the statue of Hibernia atop the General Post Office (GPO) in Dublin. This significant design commemorated the centenary of the Proclamation of the Irish Republic in 1916, linking the ireland euro coin to a pivotal moment in Irish history.