New national side of euro coins intended for circulation

(2015/C 428/05)

Euro coins intended for circulation have legal tender status throughout the euro area. For the purpose of informing the public and all parties who handle the coins, the Commission publishes a description of the designs of all new coins (1). In accordance with the Council conclusions of 10 February 2009 (2), euro-area Member States and countries that have concluded a monetary agreement with the European Union providing for the issuing of euro coins are allowed to issue commemorative euro coins intended for circulation, provided that certain conditions are met, particularly that only the 2-euro denomination is used. These coins have the same technical characteristics as other 2-euro coins, but their national face features a commemorative design that is highly symbolic in national or European terms.

Issuing country : Ireland

Subject of commemoration : One hundred years since the 1916 Easter Rising in Ireland

Description of the design : The designs shows the statue of Hibernia which stands on the top of the General Post Office building whose seizure back in 1916 marked the beginning of the Easter rising. She is a symbol of Ireland. Her name was taken from the ancient Greek reference for Ireland and her form was realised by the sculptor John Smyth. She is viewed as a witness to the events of 1916 and for one hundred years since she has seen the nation blossom before her based on the ideals set out in the Proclamation. She continues to look forward and is a symbol of the past, present and future of the country. At the top of the inner circle, the inscription ‘HIBERNIA’ appears in hand-rendered lettering that takes influence form the historic Book of Kells. The sunrays reflect well the underlying concept of the Rising and the Proclamation e.g. dawning of the new nation/Republic. The image of the statue is flanked by the years ‘1916’ and ‘2016’. At the bottom of the inner circle appears the name of the issuing country ‘éire’ and underneath it the year of issuance ‘2016’.

The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.

Number of coins to be issued :

Date of issue : January 2016

(1)  See OJ C 373, 28.12.2001, p. 1 for the national faces of all the coins issued in 2002.

(2)  See the conclusions of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council of 10 February 2009 and the Commission Recommendation of 19 December 2008 on common guidelines for the national sides and the issuance of euro coins intended for circulation (OJ L 9, 14.1.2009, p. 52).