The Story Behind the Irish Coin I Created for President Zelenskyy’s Visit to Ireland
I was commissioned to create a special solid sterling silver Irish coin to mark President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to Ireland in late 2025. As a jeweller, coins have always interested me. These miniature time capsules allow you to carry history, identity, and meaning in the palm of your hand. That’s why this commission felt particularly fitting. It brought together everything I value as a designer: Irish symbolism, storytelling through metal, and the responsibility of creating something intended as a national gift.
According to the Oireachtas press release issued after the visit, Irish coins have long been seen as more than currency. They represent the story of Ireland itself — from sovereignty and cultural identity to artistic heritage — and historically have been given as symbolic gifts marking respect and friendship between nations.
The solid sterling silver coin that was presented is taken from one of my signature designs, the Lucky Irish Coin. It is cast from an original 1928 Threepence (“Leat Reul”) coin and features the Irish hare — a mystical animal traditionally associated with luck, positivity, and prosperity. The reverse of that historic coin carries the Irish harp and the inscription Saorstát Éireann, marking the era of the Irish Free State and the early years of national independence. The symbolism embedded in these old Irish coins represents nature and folklore, and the text "Saorstát" (Free state) affirms identity, independence and nationhood. 
The coin, presented in a case along with a letter to President Zelenskyy.
Imagery © oireachtas.ie
Previous Presidential Commissions
Ireland has a long tradition of presenting meaningful handcrafted gifts to visiting leaders, and I feel privileged to contribute to that tradition through my jewellery work. This wasn’t the first time I had been entrusted with such a commission. In 2023, I created a similar commemorative piece for US President Joe Biden’s visit to Ireland, along with a solid gold Irish Rose necklace for Dr. Jill Biden. These pieces, like the coin for President Zelenskyy, were rooted in Irish symbolism and made by hand. I love to see traditional craftspersonship still has a place in modern diplomacy — not as decoration, but as storytelling.
Coin Jewellery - Timeless story telling
Ancient coin jewellery has remained popular for centuries because it connects the wearer to something larger than fashion. A coin once passed through many hands, witnessed history, and travelled across time. Transforming it into jewellery gives it a new life and meaning beyond commerce. My other coin designs are based on Greek goddess Athena the wise warrior protector of Athens and my Queen Bee coin necklace is an old coin dedicated to Artemis, goddess of wild nature with the Bee as her spirit animal.
Jewellery can do something extraordinary. It can capture identity, heritage, and emotion in a form small enough to hold in your hand. That is the magic I strive to create in every design, so that my pieces reflect Ireland’s spirit through silver, story, and craft.