The last Irish pound coins go into circulation as the production of euro coins and notes increases.
Five million pound coins specifically designed to celebrate the millennium are the last Irish pound coins to be produced. There are already 127 million pound coins in circulation. Ahead of the switch from the pound to the euro, the Central Bank faces the task of producing nearly one billion Euro coins.
These coins are the last Irish ones ever to be produced.
Neil Whoriskey of the Central Bank says that the new euro coins are coming off the minting press at the rate of two thousand per minute. Staff at the mint are working double shifts to make sure they are ready to go into circulation on 1 January 2002. He is also confident that the new euro coins will fit in parking metres. Next month, the production of 180 million euro notes is due to begin.
The National Millennium Committee plans to present all babies born on 1 January 2000 with a special commemorative edition of the millennium pound coin.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 12 April 2000. The reporter is Colm O'Callaghan.
