The Central Bank of Ireland has unveiled its first design for the “Europa Star” series, which is an international numismatic program within the European Union.
The new 10-euro coin, which honours the contributions of architect and furniture designer Eileen Gray, is the first in a new five-year series commemorating the “Ages of Europe.” This year’s theme is “Modern 20th-Century Europe.” It’s also the central bank’s first collector coin to commemorate an Irish woman’s achievements.
NOTED DESIGNER
A pioneer of modern design during the early decades of the 20th century, Gray was born in Enniscorthy, Ireland, in 1878; however, she spent most of her life in France, where she was a prominent figure in the modern art movement.
In 2009, an armchair designed by Gray—entitled “Fauteuil aux dragons”—sold for €22 million. Made of wood, the armchair features two dragon’s heads as the armrests.
NEW COIN
The 2016 10-euro silver coin has a weight of 28.2 grams, a 38.6-mm diameter, and a mintage of 6,000 coins.
Its obverse side was designed by Sandra Deiana and depicts Gray’s left-facing profile to the right side and her famed Brick Screen design towards the background.
The coin’s reverse (shown) depicts Ireland’s national symbol, the harp, atop the Europe design created by Monnaie de Paris.
The coin’s reverse depicts Ireland’s national symbol, the harp, alongside the Europa design created by the Monnaie de Paris.