THE CENTRAL BANK of Ireland has today launched a €15 limited issue silver proof collector coin to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the birth of William Butler Yeats.

The Irish poet and Nobel laureate was born in 1865.

Speaking as the coin was launched, Central Bank Commission member, Des Geraghty said the coin honours Yeats, who is one of the foremost figures of 20th century literature.

Yeats was central to the creation of both our first National Theatre and our first National Coinage and one could hardly think of a more appropriate place to launch a coin celebrating the 150th Anniversary of his birth than the Abbey Theatre.

The coin features Yeats as the artist, the poet and the romantic. The strands of his hair entwine with the linnets and bees, from his much-loved poem, The Lake Isle of Innisfree.

The coin was designed by Mary Gregory and has an issue limit of 8,000 units.

It will be on sale to the public from today and coins can be bought by downloading an order form from the Central Bank website, by calling 1890 307 607 or directly from the Central Bank on Dame Street in Dublin at a cost of €44.