2016-12-02 Fri

€10 limited edition silver proof collector coins were issued by Ireland featuring the Irish designer and architect Eileen Gray (1878 - 1976) on 30th November. It was for the first time that Ireland issued a coin featuring a woman. Eileen Gray has contributed immensely to modern architecture furniture and interior design. She became popular in a time period when female artists were not really encouraged. The National Museum or Ireland celebrates thousand years of Irish coinage and its authorities are delighted to have a coin honouring the works of Eileen Gray.

The coin features a portrait of Gray along with a symbolic image of one of her best works - Screen. This silver proof coin was designed by Italian artist Sandra Deiana. The obverse is redesigned to depict the Irish harp and year-date with the Europa Star symbol. The Eileen Gray coin costs €60 and has a mintage limit of 6,000 pieces.