The Central Bank has launched a silver commemorative coin for the late Luke Kelly, the final entry in its Modern Musician series of silver proof coins following tributes to Rory Gallagher and Phil Lynott.
A total of 3,000 coins have been minted and will retail at €64.99 after they were unveiled by President Michael D Higgins at the legendary singer's former school, St Laurence O'Toole National School in Dublin 1, on Monday. Buyers will be limited to one coin per transaction.
The collectable coins, which have an ostensible value of €15, have been struck in .925 sterling silver to proof quality and feature an image of the former Dubliner singing as tribute to his distinctive voice, together with an impression of a banjo.
The design by Mary Gregoriy was selected following a design competition. Ms. Gregoriy has previously designed commemorative coins featuring James Joyce (2013) and W.B. Yeats (2015) for the Central Bank.
“We are delighted to issue this coin to commemorate the late and much-loved Luke Kelly," said Mark Cassidy, acting deputy governor at the Central Bank.
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"It is especially fitting to be at his former school, St. Laurence O’Toole National School, for this launch and we are immensely grateful to the staff and pupils for welcoming us today for this special occasion.
“Luke’s impact on and musical contributions to Irish culture were seminal and he continues to be held in warm regard by generations of people in Ireland. This coin celebrates his legacy and provides a fitting tribute to his memory.”
The coins are intended for collection and not general circulation, and have been minted using specially polished dies and blanks that give them a mirror-like finish.
The coins are struck at least twice during the minting process, and they are individually handled and protectively stored in order to prevent tarnishing, where as general circulating coins are struck once and then handled in bulk.
The Luke Kelly collector coin was originally scheduled to go on sale in 2020, but was delayed due to disruptions arising from the impact of Covid-19 and operational challenges, the Central Bank said.
Photo: Luke Kelly performing in Copenhagen in 1972. (Pic: Jorgen Angel/Redferns/Central Bank)
