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Issue of numismatic coins under the Europa Programme 2013 “European Writers” – Dun Karm Psaila

On 26 February 2013 the Central Bank of Malta issued a numismatic coin in gold and in silver commemorating Malta’s national poet, Dun Karm Psaila (1871-1961), as part of the Europa Programme 2013 “European Writers”. The gold coin has a face value of €50, while the silver coin has a face value of €10. This numismatic coin is the first product to be issued by the Bank in its 2013 coin programme.

Dun Karm Psaila was born in Zebbug, Malta, on 18 October 1871. In 1894 he was ordained priest and he published his first collection of poems in 1896. Dun Karm wrote his early poetry in Italian, but started writing in Maltese from 1912 onwards, becoming one of the leading figures in Maltese literary writing and in the promotion of the Maltese language. In 1921 Dun Karm wrote the verses of the Innu Malti, the Maltese national anthem. In 1945 the Royal University of Malta bestowed on him an honorary degree of Doctor of Literature. In 1956 he was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) by Queen Elizabeth II in recognition of his contribution to Maltese literature. Dun Karm died on 13 October 1961, aged 90.

The coins were struck at the Royal Dutch Mint and bear the Europa Star logo. The obverse of the coins shows the emblem of Malta with the year of issue, 2013. The reverse features a portrait of Dun Karm Psaila and the opening words of the Maltese national anthem. The coins were designed and engraved by the Maltese artist, Noel Galea Bason.

The €10 coin is struck in 0.925 silver and has a weight of 28.28 grams, with a diameter of 38.61 mm and a minting limit of 10,000 pieces. The €50 coin is struck in 0.916 gold and has a weight of 6.5 grams, with a diameter of 21 mm. The total mintage for the gold coin is limited to 2,000 pieces. Both coins are struck to proof quality.

The coins may be purchased from the Malta Coins Distribution Centre counter at the main building of the Central Bank of Malta, or by completing the order form which can be downloaded from the Bank’s website.

For more information, the public is kindly requested to contact the Bank’s Malta Coins Distribution Centre by email or by calling 356 2550 6006/7/8.