Although precise figures have yet to be compiled, a spokeswoman for the bank confirmed that it had sold 20,000 gold Beckett coins, which cost 50 each, and 35,000 silver ones at a price of 32. Commemorative coin sales have become an increasingly lucrative sideline for the bank in recent years.

According to the bank's most recent accounts, they made up 1m of the 45m profit that the bank took from its coin operations. The profits are held in a currency reserve and are transferred at the end of each year to the exchequer.

"All collector and commemorative products have issue limits and demand frequently exceeded supply, " said the spokeswoman. "Irish issues are popular at home and internationally, and typically sell out in a short time".

As well as issuing coins commemorating the birth of major Irish figures and celebrating national heritage sites, the bank offers baby sets for 25, which contain a full set of coins from the year in which the baby is born.

Parents can personalise their sets by inserting their baby's name, weight, date of birth and their photograph.

Despite their commemorative status, the coins are legal tender in Ireland, although they have no such standing in the rest of the eurozone. "However, as the intrinsic value of precious metal coins exceeds their face value, there is no incentive to use them as currency, " said the spokeswoman.