There’s a shiny new coin on the cards to celebrate the 1916 Rising

The Central Bank is to commemorate the 1916 Rising by releasing a special €2 coin.

A total of 4.5 millions coins will be released in Ireland, which we will see coming into circulation in the next few weeks. 

Emmet Mullins designed the coin, which was picked out of 52 other designs from Irish and international designers.

The €2 will feature the statue of Hibernia on top of the GPO, the centenary dates and 'Hibernia' written in hand-rendered lettering, which is influenced by the Book of Kells. 

“The design reflects back to the GPO and its association with the Easter Rising and the reading of the Proclamation.

"We are working with the banks, An Post, and the cash in transit companies to get the coin into circulation as soon as possible," said Paul Molumby, the director of currency at the Central Bank.