This is the first time that a double eagle has gone on display in Europe. The exhibition has been arranged by the Samlerhuerst Group in association with the Smithsonian Institute.

"We believe that it is important for us to take iconic rocks or objects like this on the road and share them with people," said Karen Lee of the Smithsonian Institute.

We want to engage people in learning history from objects.

The 1933 double eagle is on display along with a collection of other US coins at the Baroque Chapel at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham.

It was designed by Augustus Saint-Gaudens, who was born in Ireland, and based on an ancient sculpture called 'The Crouching Venus'.

The designer, whose mother was Irish, died before he had an opportunity to see the finished product.