Coin collectors seeking Irish euro coins have run into difficulties obtaining the new currency from the Central Bank.

Some collectors, including commercial firms, have found they are missing just one coin from their complete euro set - the one with the harp on the back.

Mr James Pickering, who runs Modern World Banknotes, a company dealing in coins and banknotes, says he has had no problems getting coins from the other 11 members-states that make up the euro zone.

But he has run into trouble with the Irish Central Bank.

He first approached the Bank in January and, after some negotiation, reached an agreement to buy unsold euro starter packs.

But this still left him short.

Three months later Mr Pickering approached the Bank again.

This time he found that there was still no procedure in place allowing him to buy the coins in bulk.

"I'm going to private banks, to the branches looking for coins. I'm a businessman but I feel like a hustler," said Mr Pickering.

A spokesman for the Central Bank said its job, first and foremost, was to produce and supply coin for the Irish market.

"If we have spare capacity, we can make it available to those who want to buy it in bulk. But at the moment we have no spare capacity."

The spokesman said the Bank's production schedule was planned at least a year in advance and those needing large amounts of coins should place their order early.

"Anyone looking for a large consignment will get nothing in 2002 and should be placing orders now if they want to get it at some stage in 2003."

That's a long way off for those like Mr Pickering who are seeking to take advantage of the euro's launch year to sell mounted sets of the coins, each of which carries a national motif on the back.

"This is a historic time for Europe, a very interesting time.

"There is no reason the Irish Central Bank shouldn't have a system in place," Mr Pickering said.