2872) The Maltese Cross, Malta: The Central Bank of Malta has issued a 5 Euro Silver Bullion Coin which features the country's most recognisable iconic symbol: Date of Coin issue: 06/2023:
The Header/Banner shows the Obverse and Reverse of the 5 Eoru Silver Bullion Coin against a background representation of the Maltese Cross. The inscription at top right is - "MALTA 1 OZ FINE SILVER".
The Central Bank of Malta has issued a new silver bullion coin which features one of the country’s most recognisable national symbols.
The very distinctive Maltese cross is an iconic part of Malta’s heritage and most commonly associated with the Knights of Malta.
The Maltese cross is a cross symbol, consisting of four "V" or arrowhead shaped concave quadrilaterals converging at a central vertex at right angles, two tips pointing outward symmetrically (✠).
It is a heraldic cross variant which developed from earlier forms of eight-pointed crosses in the 16th century.
Although chiefly associated with the Knights Hospitaller ("Order of St. John, now the Sovereign Military Order of Malta"), and by extension with the island of Malta, it has come to be used by a wide array of entities since the early modern period, notably the Order of Saint Stephen, the city of Amalfi, the Polish Order of the White Eagle (1709), the Prussian order Pour le Mérite (1740), and the Bavarian Military Merit Order (1866).
The Knights Hospitaller during the Crusades used a plain Latin cross.
Occasional use of the modern form straight-edged "eight-pointed cross" by the order began in the early 16th century.
This early form is a cross moline (ancrée) or cross branchée ending in eight points, not yet featuring the sharp vertex of the modern design.
The association of the eight-pointed cross with the southern Italy coastal town of Amalfi goes back to the 11th century, as the design is found on coins minted by the Duchy of Amalfi at that time.
Eight-pointed crosses appear on coins minted by the Grand Masters of the Order, first shown as a bolsini-type cross embroidered on the left arm of the robe of the kneeling Grand Master on the Obverse of a Coin minted under Foulques de Villaret (r. 1305–1319).
In 1489, the statutes of the order require all knights of Malta to wear "the white cross with eight points".
Emergence of the sharp vertex of the modern "four-arrowhead" design was gradual and took place during the 15th to 16th century.
The "Rhodian cross" of the early 16th century had almost, but not quite, achieved the "sharp arrowhead appearance".
The fully modern design is found on a Copper Coin dated 1567, minted by Grand Master Jean Parisot de Valette (r. 1557–1568).
In 1577, Alonso Sanchez Coello painted Archduke Wenceslaus of Austria as Grand Prior of the Order of Malta wearing the emblem on his robes.
The design appeared again on coins minted in the late 17th to 18th centuries.
It is shown on a copper coin dated 1693, minted under Grand Master Adrien de Wignacourt.
From the end of the 17th century, it is also occasionally displayed as alternative heraldic emblem of the order. Its depiction on the façade of San Giovannino dei Cavalieri dates to 1699.
Present Day:
The symbol is now used on everything from coins to the logo of different organisations and institutions internationally.
The Maltese cross is an iconic part of Malta’s heritage. Most commonly associated with the Knights of Malta, the symbol is now used on everything from coins to the logo of different organizations and institutions internationally.
To this day, the Maltese cross remains the symbol of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, and organisations dedicated to medical and humanitarian aid and protection.
It is believed that the points on the cross denote the eight aspirations and obligations of the knights:
"To live in truth, have faith, repent one’s sins, give proof of humility, love justice, be merciful, be sincere and wholehearted, and to endure persecution".
Presently, the Maltese Cross is displayed as part of the Maltese Civil Ensign, the Maltese Naval Jack and the Presidential Standard, which displays a Maltese cross in each corner.
As Malta transitioned to the Euro Currency in 2008, their two and one-euro coins carry the Maltese cross on the National or Reverse side.
The Commemorative Coins:
The Silver Bullion Coins have been minted by the Pressburg Mint at their facilities in Bratislava, Slovakia, on behalf of the Central Bank of Malta.
While this coin is a modern day technologically advanced bullion coin, its origins lie in history.
The Reverse of the 5 Euro Silver Bullion Coin features at its centre a large Maltese Cross with a floral motif around the cross in the background.
At its centre, is a smaller depiction of the George cross, which was awarded to the people of Malta by King George VI during the Second World War.
Above the Maltese cross and along the upper periphery is the text "MALTA". Depicted on a small lemniscate/ribbon placed above the cross, is the year of issue "2023".
Shown on the left and on the right side of the cross is the purity of the metal "9999", and below is the coins’ weight and metal composition - "1 OZ FINE SILVER".
The background includes a fine pattern of thin radial straight lines.
The Obverse of the 5 Euro Silver Bullion Coin depicts as its central design the Coat of Arms of the Central Bank of Malta.
The crest includes elements such as the Maltese flag, which displays on the George cross in the upper left.
The horizontal key above the flag includes the design of a dolphin on the head of the key.
The shield is supported by two Knights of Malta, and the design is completed by a mural crown surmounting the crest, symbolic of Malta’s historic role as a fortress.
The Latin motto "FIDUCIA FORTIS" (“In Confidence Strength”) and "1968" (the date of the bank’s foundation), is shown below. The issuer, CENTRAL BANK OF MALTA, is placed over the bank’s crest with the denomination 5 EURO placed below.
On each side of the Coat of Arms are two small Maltese crosses. The background includes a fine pattern of thin straight/radial lines.
- Each coin is encapsulated and available optionally with or without a presentation case.
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The "Knights of the Past" Silver Bullion Coin Series:
Santosh Khanna has commented:
ReplyDelete"A VERY informative and interesting post. Thanks for sharing."
Thank you so much, Khanna sahab.
DeleteRajan Trikha has commented:
ReplyDelete"A very detailed and informative post".
Thank you so much, Trikha sahab.
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