Republic of Malta
Repubblika ta' Malta
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ISO 3166 code | MT |
Euro gold and silver commemorative coins are special euro coins minted and issued by member states of the Eurozone, mainly in gold and silver, although other precious metals are also used on rare occasions. Malta introduced the euro (€) on 1 January 2008. In a short time, the Central Bank of Malta has been producing both normal issues of Maltese euro coins, which are intended for circulation, and commemorative euro coins in gold and silver.
These special coins have a legal tender only in Malta, unlike the normal issues of the Maltese euro coins, which have a legal tender in every country of the Eurozone. This means that the commemorative coins made of gold and silver cannot be used as money in other countries. Furthermore, as their bullion value[1] generally vastly exceeds their face value, these coins are not intended to be used as means of payment at all—although it remains possible. For this reason, they are usually named Collectors' coins.
The coins usually commemorate the anniversaries of historical events or draw attention to current events of special importance to Malta.
Contents |
The following table shows the number of coins minted per year. In the first section, the coins are grouped by the metal used, while in the second section they are grouped by their face value.
Year | Issues | By metal | By face value | ||||||||
gold | silver | others | €50 | €10 | |||||||
2008 | 2 | 1 | 1 | – | 1 | 1 | |||||
2009 | 2 | 1 | 1 | – | 1 | 1 | |||||
Total | 4 | 2 | 2 | - | 2 | 2 |
Auberge de Castille[2] | ||||
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Designer: Unknown[3] | Mint: Royal Dutch Mint | |||
Face Value: €10 | Alloy: Ag 925 (Silver) | Quantity: 18,000 | Quality: Proof | |
Issued: 26 August 2008 | Diameter: 38.61 mm (1.52 in) | Weight: 28.28 g (1.00 oz; 0.91 ozt) | Issue price: €38[4] |
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Auberge de Castille[2] | ||||
Designer: Unknown[3] | Mint: Royal Dutch Mint | |||
Face Value: €50 | Alloy: Au 916 (Gold) | Quantity: 3,000 | Quality: Proof | |
Issued: 26 August 2008 | Diameter: 21 mm (0.83 in) | Weight: 6.5 g (0.23 oz; 0.21 ozt) | Issue price: €185[4] |
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In August 2008, Malta issued its first commemorative coins denominated in euro, in both silver and gold. These coins make part of the Europa Coin Program. The theme for the year 2008 is Cultural Heritage. Both coins feature the Auberge de Castille.[10]
On the reverse the Portico of the Auberge de Castille is shown. The stately doorway to the Auberge of Castille, Leon and Portugal is a symbol of the seat of government in Malta as the Auberge now houses the Prime Minister’s office. This is the largest of all auberges at the time of the Knights (1530-1798). The building is situated at the highest point of Valletta and was built in 1574. On the obverse the Coat of Arms of Malta is displayed. Malta’s Coat of Arms is a heraldic representation of the National flag of Malta. Above the shield is a mural crown representing the fortifications of Malta and denoting a City-state. [11] Around the shield is a wreath of two branches, of Olive and Palm, symbols of peace and traditionally associated with Malta. |
Castellania[12] | ||||
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Designer: Unknown | Mint: Royal Dutch Mint | |||
Face Value: €10 | Alloy: Ag 925 (Silver) | Quantity: 15,000 | Quality: Proof | |
Issued: 22 June 2009 | Diameter: 38.61 mm (1.52 in) | Weight: 28.28 g (1.00 oz; 0.91 ozt) | Issue price: €38
Market Value: Unknown |
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Castellania[13] | ||||
Designer: Unknown | Mint: Royal Dutch Mint | |||
Face Value: €50 | Alloy: Au 916 (Gold) | Quantity: 3,000 | Quality: Proof | |
Issued: 22 June 2009 | Diameter: 21 mm (0.83 in) | Weight: 6.5 g (0.23 oz; 0.21 ozt) | Issue price: €200
Market Value: |
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Architecturally, the Castellania is one of the most striking buildings in Merchants Street in Valletta. The present building is the result of a reconstruction, started in 1748 by Grand Master Emanuel Pinto, a fact ostentatiously evidenced by the eighteen crescents (sixteen around the doorway and two on the door) symbolically shown on the ornate central element of the façade, the crescent being a heraldic component of that Portuguese Grand Master’s coat-of-arms. The Castellania served to house the Civil and Criminal Tribunals of the Order and also provided accommodation for the Castellano. Since 1895 this building has housed the Medical and Public Health Head Office. The obverse of the coins shows the Emblem of Malta with the year of issue 2009. The reverse depicts the Castellania. The 'Europa Star', which is the official logo of the programme, is also shown on the reverse side of the coins.[14] |
Two coins on the Auberge d'Italie:
In the Europa 2011 (Explorers) series, two coins on the Phenicians in Malta: