Central Bank Deputy Governor Vasileios Madouros presented the coin to Larry Mullen Jr.
Central Bank Deputy Governor Vasileios Madouros presented the coin to Larry Mullen Jr.
Central Bank Deputy Governor Vasileios Madouros presented the coin to Larry Mullen Jr.

'Four heads and a silver harp…'

Central Bank of Ireland launches U2 commemorative coin marking 50 years since the band's formation.

28 Sep 2026

'Four heads and a silver harp…'

The Central Bank of Ireland has launched a €2 commemorative coin marking 50 years since U2's formation in 1976. 

The coin, featuring an image of the band, was designed by Shaughn McGrath and on Friday Larry joined the bank's Deputy Governor for the launch event in the Little Museum of Dublin.


Deputy Governor Vasileios Madouros said: "It is a privilege for the Central Bank of Ireland to honour U2 with a €2 commemorative coin. Commemorative coins tell the stories of the people and moments that have shaped our nation and inspired the world. U2 represents the very best of Irish creativity and talent on the global stage. For 50 years, their music has inspired millions of people around the world. This commemorative coin is a fitting tribute to their legacy and profound impact on popular culture and beyond."

Here's what the band said.

"Four heads on a coin… Ready to be bought, sold, held, lost, traded, stolen, loved, missed, and gambled… win or lose… Grateful to be put on a train track and flattened… but not to crack. To be spent in a sweet shop on liquorice allsorts, gobstoppers, acid drops, and fizz bombs… Tayto and 99s... Four heads and a silver harp… not a bad metaphor for this Irish band. But the coin can be spent anywhere in Europe… we like that too. The coin is still spinning in the air… it hasn't landed yet.
And we hope that whatever way you call it, you win." – Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr.

The coin is on sale from collectorcoins.ie. 

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