People have been queuing outside the Central Bank from early morning to buy its 1916 commemorative coins, which have gone on sale.

The Central Bank released gold and silver proof coins which were manufactured by using a special, high-quality minting process which is made especially for collectors.

It comes with a numbered "certificate of authenticity" testifying to the issue limit.

Among the coins available were 1,000 limited edition €100 gold proof coins, which cost €730 each.

Each coin depicts a representation of Hibernia with key words and phrases from the Proclamation.

The new coins are designed by Michael Guilfoyle and they depict the statue of Hibernia in front of key words and phrases from the Proclamation.

The new coins include a silver proof €15 coin, costing €45, a quarter ounce gold €50 coin, costing €375, a half ounce gold €100 coin, costing €730, and a double set of coins which has both a silver proof coin and quarter ounce gold coin for a total of €420.

Paul Molumby, Director of Currency and Facilities Management at the Central Bank, said the coins commemorate an important event in Irish history.

"The design of the coins reflects back to the GPO and its association with the Easter Rising and the reading of the Proclamation, which was read by Patrick Pearse outside the GPO in 1916," he added.



The coins are available to buy from today.