PART III.

Coins Generally.

18. —(1) In this section, the expression “Irish coins” means any coins being—

(a) coins issued under the repealed enactments, or

(b) gold coins issued under the Act of 1927, or

(c) coins issued under this Act.

(2) The copyright in all Irish coins and the copyright in the artistic work defining the designs of any Irish coins shall be perpetual and shall belong to the Minister.

(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in subsection (1) of section 155 of the Industrial and Commercial Property (Protection) Act, 1927 (No. 16 of 1927), the reproduction in any published literary or artistic work without the consent of the Minister of the whole or any part of any Irish coin shall constitute an infringement of the copyright in that coin.

19. —(1) It shall not be lawful for any person (other than the Central Bank) except under and in pursuance of a licence issued by the Minister, to melt down, break up or use otherwise than as currency any coin which is for the time being current in the State or in any other country.

(2) If any person—

(a) acts in contravention of this section, or

(b) fails to comply with any condition attached to a licence granted under this section,

he shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds or, at the discretion of the Court to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to both such fine and imprisonment and, in addition to any other punishment, the Court may order the articles in respect of which the offence was committed to be forfeited.