The Central Bank has issued numismatic coins in gold and silver to mark its fiftieth anniversary today. 

The gold coins have a face value of €100, while the silver coins have a face value of €10. They are legal tender in Malta only.

The €10 coin, which is limited to 2,500 pieces, was struck in silver (0.925 fine). It has a weight of 28.28g and a diameter of 38.61mm.

The €100 gold coin (0.999 fine) weighs 15g and has a diameter of 26mm. The minting has been limited to 50 pieces.

The coins were designed and engraved by Noel Galea Bason and were struck at the Royal Dutch Mint. The reverse of the coins carries a representation of the façade of the Bank’s newly-built premises, ‘Binja Laparelli’ located within St James’s Counterguard in Valletta. The coins also bear a 50th Anniversary logo designed by Michael Grech and Daniel Galea of MCAST Arts and Design Institute.

Selective gold-plating has been used on the silver coins. It is the first time that such a technique has been used on Maltese numismatic coins.

The obverse of the coins features the coat of arms of Malta together with the coins’ denomination.

The setting up of a central bank for Malta was one of the recommendations made by United Nations team of experts in January 1964. Shortly after, on 21 September 1964, Malta gained independence from Britain. In 1967 draft legislation for the setting up of the Central Bank of Malta was steered through parliament and was passed in November of the same year. The Central Bank of Malta was formally established on 17 April 1968.

The silver coins, issued today, l may be purchased directly from the Malta Coin Centre’s (MCC) online e-shop facility on www.maltacoincentre.com or from the main building of the Central Bank for €60.

The gold coins have been allocated as per lot drawn by a public notary as announced in February.