Tuesday, 5 March 2019

942) Malta: Renaissance Era Ship design depicting the Order of St. John's "Gran Carracca Sant'Anna" features on the latest Europa Silver Star Programme issue from the Central Bank of Malta: Coin issue date: 15.03.2019:

942) Malta: Renaissance Era Ship design depicting the Order of St. John's "Gran Carracca Sant'Anna" features on the latest Europa Silver Star Programme issue from the Central Bank of Malta: Coin issue date: 15.03.2019:

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The Central Bank of Malta will issue on 15.03.2019 Commemorative Coins depicting the Order of St. John's "Gran Carracca Sant' Anna", under the Europa Silver Star Programme bearing the Europa Star logo.

A Carrack was a three or four masted ship that was first built in the 13th to 15th Centuries AD in Europe, primarily used by the Portuguese. A typical tree-masted carrack had six sails - bowsprit, foresail, mainsail, mizzen sail and two topsails.

It was evolved from the single-masted cog and was primarily used for European trade from the Mediterranean to the Baltic and also for slave trade. Towards the 15th Century AD,  it was used for trade along the African coast and trade with Asia and the Americas, before the more advanced galleons took over the seas.

In its most developed form, the carrack was a carvel-built ocean-going vessel which was large enough to be stable in heavy seas and could carry a large cargo and provisions needed for very long voyages. As the predecessor of the galleon, the carrack was one of the most influential ship designs in history.

The Carrack was one of the most dominant ship designs of the Renaissance period. It was of robust construction and combining speed with maneuverability, carracks could serve as both merchant ships and warships. 

The term carrack in Arabic and Greek means "lighter".

The Santa Anna (or "Sant' Anna"):

The "Sant' Anna" was a particularly modern ship design commissioned by the Knights Hospitaller (The Order of Knights of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem, also known as the "Order of Saint John" which was a medieval and early modern Catholic military order, headquartered in the Kingdom Jerusalem on the island of Rhodes in Malta and St. Petersburg) in  December 1522 and was popularly known as the "first armoured ship". 

"Sant' Anna" was launched at about the same time that the knights lost the island of Rhodes (present day Greece) to the Ottoman Turks. 

This ship - the pride of the Order's Navy - carried Grand Master Philippe Villiers de L'Isle Adam to Malta in 1530.

This event marked the start of the Order's long sojourn on the island and the start of a new epoch in Maltese history.

"Sant' Anna's" underwater hull was completely sheathed with lead plates. Above the waterline two of the six decks were also armoured with lead plates, which were fastened by bronze nails to the wooden hull. She had on board 50 guns which were positioned to give withering fire to any approaching enemy ship, so as to decimate it.

She was designed to take on board about 500 marines besides her sailors and she had large below-deck cabins and messes for her officers. 

She housed a forge, where three weapon smiths could do maintenance work at sea. Her kitchen was equipped with several ovens and a mill so as to provide fresh bread to the crew and marines. In addition, she had a garden on board with flowers hanging down from the stern gallery in boxes.

In 1531, Sant' Anna routed by herself an Ottoman fleet of some 25 ships. A year later, the ship took part in the expedition against the Peleponnese under the command of Andrea Doria, during which Koroni, Patras and the Turkish fortresses protecting the entry to the Gulf of Corinth were seized.

In 1535, Santa Anna fought in the successful campaign of the Spanish fleet under Charles V against the Turks in which the Spanish captured over 100 ships of the Barbary corsairs. Her firepower contributed significantly in the assault on the fortress La Goulette which controlled the entry to the harbour.

In 1540, Santa Anna was stripped and abandoned on the order of grandmaster Juan de Homedes y Coscon.

The Europa Coin Programme:

The Europa Coin Programme is an initiative dedicated to issuing collector coins in precious metals which celebrate European identity.

Coins issued under this series are issued by the European Union's Eurozone Member States and the issuing authorities of European Union Member countries voluntarily contribute coins to the Europa Coin Programme.

The Europa Star Series highlights European achievements, anniversaries and common history or cultural ties.

Several countries have taken part in this programme, since its inception in 2004.

Some coins are denominated in Euros, while others are denominated in other currencies. These coins are all legal tender.

The Eurostar logo:


                        The Eurostar logo

The Eurostar logo is the special mark used on these coins which signify that they have been issued under the "Euro Coin Programme". The design of the logo is a stylised combination of an "E" (often used to symbolise a member nation, for example on the EU Flag).

It is a requirement that the coins must show the Eurostar distinctly and visibly to the naked eye, but not be an integral to the coin's design.

Other standard features for the coins issued under the programme:

a) The coins must be at least .900 Fine Silver or Gold     and be of Proof quality.

b) The coins should be approx. "crown-sized" which        allows for national traditions and customs.

c) The coins must show the Eurostar logo distinctly.

The themes over the past years for the Eurostar Coin Programme have been:

2004 - EU Enlargement

2005 - Peace and Freedom

2006 - Distinguished European figures

2007 - European Realisation

2008 - Cultural Heritage

2009 - European Heritage

2010 - European Architecture

2011 - European Explorers

2012 - European Visual Arts

2013 - European Writers

2014 - European Composers

2015 - Anniversary of the UNO

2016 - The Ages of Europe

2017 - The Age of Iron and Glass

2018 - Baroque and Rococo Periods

2019 - Renaissance Period in Europe

The  Coins issued by the Central Bank of Malta under this programme in 2019:

The coins are minted in gold and silver by the Royal Dutch Mint at their facilities in Utrecht, on behalf of the Central Bank of Malta.

These coins are issued under the Europa Silver star Programme in which several Eurozone member states can participate with that year's theme. This year the theme is "Renaissance".

The national side may include a distinctive design relevant to the theme while the Obverse side has a common design that includes the Europa Star logo and elements of the country of issue such as an effigy of a reigning monarch, National Crest or an insignia et al.


    The Reverse and Obverse of the Silver 10 Euro Coin 


The Reverse of the 10 Euro Silver Coins depicts the ship "Gran Carracca Sant' Anna", which was a warship renowned for its large size and immense firepower.

The inscriptions are - SANT'ANNA.GRAN CARRACCA. ORDER OF ST. JOHN. 1522-1540" and "10 EURO".
The Obverse of the 10 Euro Silver Coins depicts the Coat of Arms of Malta and the Europa Star logo.

The inscriptions are - "RENAISSANCE", "REPUBBLICA TA MALTA" and "2019".

The specifications of the 10 Euro Silver Coins are:

Denomination: 10 Euro; Metal Composition: .925 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 28.2 grams; Diameter/Size: 38.6 mm; Coin Quality: Proof; Maximum Mintage: 2,500 pieces; Minted by: Royal Dutch Mint on behalf of the Central Bank of Malta; Designer & Engraver: Noel Galea Bason; Mint Year: 2019; Issue Date: 15.03.2019.

Each coin is encapsulated and presented in a branded case which includes the logo of the Central Bank of Malta and is accompanied by a numbered/serialised Certificate of Authenticity (COA)


      The Reverse and Obverse of the 50 Euro Gold Coin


The Reverse of the 50 Euro Gold Coin depicts the "Gran Carracca Sant' Anna", a warship renowned fir its large size and tremendous firepower.

The inscriptions are - "SANT' ANNA. GRAN CARRACCA. ORDER OF ST. JOHN. 1522-1540" and "50 EURO".
The Obverse of the 50 Euro Gold Coin depicts the Coat of Arms of Malta and the Europa Star logo.

The  inscriptions are "RENAISSANCE", REPUBLIKA TA MALTA" and "2019".

The specifications of the Gold Coins are:

Denomination: 50 Euros; Metal Composition: .916 Fineness Gold (Au); Weight: 6.5 grams; Diameter: 21.0 mm; Coin Quality: Proof; Maximum Mintage: 400 pieces; Minted by: Royal Dutch Mint on behalf of the Central Bank of Malta; Designer & Engraver: Noel Galea Bason; Mint Year: 2019; Issue Date: 15.03.2019

Each coin is encapsulated and presented in a branded case which includes the logo of the Central Bank of Malta and is accompanied by a serialised/numbered Certificate of Authenticity (COA).



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