The Central Bank is to issue a new €2 coin to commemorate the 1916 Rising.

A total of 4.5 million coins will be released, the first of which will come into circulation in the coming weeks.

The design for this coin, by Emmet Mullins, was chosen following a competition that saw 52 Irish and international designers submit proposals based on the Proclamation of the Irish Republic.

The coin features a representation of the statue of Hibernia on top of the GPO, the centenary dates and the name ‘Hibernia’ in hand-rendered lettering influenced by the Book of Kells.

This will be the first time that Ireland has issued its own commemorative €2 coin into circulation.

Paul Molumby, director of currency and facilities management at the Bank said: “It’s a significant achievement for us to mint and issue our own circulating commemorative coin.

“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.

“Members of the public can expect to see the coins in the coming weeks as they come into general circulation.”

Later in the year, gold and silver proof coins, also to commemorate 1916, will be released for sale.

These coins were designed by Michael Guilfoyle.

His design also features Hibernia, along with an arrangement of key words and phrases from the Proclamation.