U2 celebrated with €2 commemorative coin marking 50 years of the band

Central Bank Deputy Governor Vasileios Madouros presented the coin to Larry Mullen Jr. in attendance on behalf of the band. Picture Conor McCabe 

A new €2 commemorative coin has been launched to mark 50 years since the formation of Irish band U2.

The Central Bank of Ireland launched the coin on Friday, featuring the faces of Adam Clayton, Bono, The Edge and Larry Mullen Jr.

Some 150,000 €2 coin cards will be available to fans and collectors through collectorcoins.ie for €14.95, while 5,000 silver proof €2 coin booklets will retail for €39.95.

The silver proof booklets sold out on the website shortly after going on sale at 12pm.

Designed by Shaughn McGrath, the coin celebrates the band, which has released 15 studio albums and sold more than 175 million records worldwide.

U2 has also won numerous awards during its career, including 22 Grammy Awards.

U2 commemorative coin

Speaking at the launch, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Ireland Vasileios Madouros said the coin was a "fitting tribute to their legacy and profound impact on popular culture and beyond".

"It is a privilege for the Central Bank of Ireland to honour U2 with a €2 commemorative coin," he said.

The commemorative U2 €2 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."

‘Four heads and a silver harp’ 

The four members of U2 said having "four heads and a silver harp" on a coin was "not a bad metaphor for this Irish band".

"Four heads on a coin, ready to be bought, sold, held, lost, traded, stolen, loved, missed, and gambled… win or lose," they said.

"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," they added.