Back in 2012, the Central Bank of Ireland launched their final “animal” coin which completed the three-coin series featuring barnyard animal designs that appeared on pre-decimal and pre-Euro Irish coinage. The last coin in the three year series featured the Irish Wolfhound which was last seen on the six-pence denomination in circulation from 1928 until the introduction of decimalization in 1971. The addition of the puppy next to the adult hound symbolized the next generation of the Euro currency that was introduced into circulation in Ireland in 2002.  The reverse of the coin was the harp, a national symbol of the Republic of Ireland that appeared on many collector and circulation coins. The 2012 Wolfhound Silver Proof Coin had a denomination of €15 and was struck in sterling silver by the Royal Dutch Mint.