OVER 4,000 limited edition €15 silver coins have been sold for €36 each by the Central Bank since they were launched last Wednesday.

The Central Bank has issued 15,000 of the collector coins that feature the design of an Irish hunter horse and its foals like the half crown coins issued by the Irish Free State in 1928.

It is expected that approximately 60% of them will be sold to the general public, with coin dealers accounting for the remainder of sales.

A spokeswoman for the Central Bank said they will have a stand at a coin fair in the RDS this weekend where the coins are expected to be in high demand.

Last year, each of 15,000 €15 coins were sold out within six weeks of a similar issue, while the issue of a €10 silver coin in April was sold out in around 12 weeks.

Speaking at the launch, the Governor of the Central Bank, Patrick Honohan, said: "The first coins of the Irish Free State were released in 1928, each of which featured an animal design on its reverse. The designs by Percy Metcalfe were chosen for their depiction of agriculture which was essential to the economy of Ireland at the time. In honour of these designs, the Central Bank of Ireland is issuing three limited edition coins over the next three years."

Each coin is accompanied by a numbered certificate of authenticity specifying the quality of the coins and the limited issue. The coins can be purchased directly from the Central Bank of Ireland, Dame Street, Dublin, by calling 1890 307 607 or online from www.centralbank.ie.