Date: 2017

2017 Ireland €15 silver proof commemorative coin (Sir Charles Algernon Parsons)

• Issued by: The Central Bank of Ireland
• Issue Date:  1st September 2017.
• Issue Limit: 6,000 pieces
  
  • Designer:  Antonella Naplione (Italy)
• Quality:
  • Proof strike
  • Sterling Silver 0.925 fine
    
• Weight: 28.28 g 
• Diameter: 38.61 mm
  

Description:

Charles Parsons was born in 1854 and spent most of his childhood at Birr Castle, Co Offaly, his family’s estate. As a child, he was tutored by prominent scientist Robert Ball and later attended Trinity College Dublin and St. John’s College, Cambridge. Parsons’ invention of the steam turbine engine in 1884 was a major breakthrough in electrical engineering and power generation.

Later applying this work to marine propulsion, Parsons’ steam turbines revolutionized marine transportation by increasing both the speed and efficiency of sea-faring vessels. He received many honours in recognition of his engineering genius, including election to the Royal Society in 1898 and a knighthood in 1911.

• He died in 1931.

The coin design, by Antonella Napolione, features a portrait of the engineer with an early model of his steam turbine engine, encircled by an inscription and a representation of turbine blades.

Other Irish Commemorative Proof Coins in this Series: