The euro (EUR or €) is the common currency for 12 member states of the European Union (the Eurozone), including the Republic of Ireland. The euro coins have two different sides; one common, European side showing the value of the coin and one national side featuring a design chosen by the EU member state where the coin was minted. Each member state has one or more designs unique to that country.

For images of the common side and a detailed description of the coins, see Euro coins.

Irish euro coins all share the same design by the hand of Jarlath Hayes , that of the harp, a traditional symbol for Ireland since the Middle Ages, based on that of the Brian Boru Harp, housed in Trinity College Dublin, and said to have once been owned by ancient High King of Ireland, Brian Boru. The same harp is used as the official seals of the Taoiseach, and government ministers and the Official Seal of the President of Ireland. The coins' design also features the 12 stars of the EU, the year of imprint and the Irish language word for Ireland, "ÉIRE", in the traditional Gaelic script alphabet.

Coins imprinted with the years 2002, 2003 and 2004 are currently in circulation.

Depiction of Irish euro coinage | Obverse side

€ 0.01	€ 0.02	€ 0.05
The traditional Irish harp	The traditional Irish harp	The traditional Irish harp
€ 0.10	€ 0.20	€ 0.50
The traditional Irish harp	The traditional Irish harp	The traditional Irish harp
€ 1.00	€ 2.00	€ 2 Coin Edge
		The edge lettering features the number "2" six times alternated with ** for a total of 12 stars
The traditional Irish harp	The traditional Irish harp

See also

• Coinage of the Republic of Ireland

External links

• European Central Bank (www.euro.ecb.int)
• Central Bank of Ireland (www.centralbank.ie)