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Symposium and Launch of Coin Programme 2014

On 17 January 2014, the Central Bank of Malta hosted a symposium at its premises in Valletta to introduce its coin issuance programme for 2014 and raise public awareness of the historical and cultural significance of the coins that will be minted in the course of the current year.

The coins that will be issued by the Bank in 2014 are as follows:

1. A gold and silver numismatic coin issued under the Europa Programme 2014 - European Composers. The Maltese coins, featuring Maestro Charles Camilleri, will be issued in February 2014.

2. A gold numismatic coin which is a reproduction of the zecchino coin that circulated in Malta during the rule of the Order of Saint John. This coin will be issued in March 2014 under the "Smallest Gold Coin in the World" programme.

3. A silver numismatic coin and a brass circulation coin (in rolls of 20 coins each)  commemorating the 100th anniversary of the First World War and Malta's role as the "Nurse of the Mediterranean". These coins will be issued in April 2014.

4. A euro coin set dated 2014 consisting of the eight Maltese euro coins in circulation, a €2 commemorative coin, which is the fourth in a series of five coins featuring "Milestones in Malta's Constitutional History", and a replica coin from the Arab period. This set will be issued in May 2014.

5. A gold and silver numismatic coin featuring the façade of the Auberge d'Aragon, which is the fourth in the series on the Auberges of the Order of Saint John. This coin will be issued in June 2014.

6. A €2 commemorative coin (in rolls of 25 coins each) will be issued in July 2014, on the 200th anniversary of the Malta Police force.

7. A silver numismatic coin, commemorating the 50th anniversary of Malta as an independent state, will be issued in September 2014.

8. A €2 commemorative coin relating to the series "Milestones in Malta's Constitutional History" bearing the inscription "Independence, 1964" to be issued both in proof quality as well as in rolls of 25 coins each. This coin will be issued in October 2014.

9. A silver numismatic coin commemorating the 40th anniversary of Malta becoming a Republic, which will be issued in December 2014.

The symposium panel, composed of expert speakers in their field, discussed the historical significance of the themes depicted on the coins to be issued by the Bank.

Mr Emmanuel Azzopardi, a leading numismatist from a family of jewellers, talked about the gold zecchino coin, which dates back to the beginning of the Order of St John's rule in Malta in 1530.

Professor Denis De Lucca, Director of the Institute for Baroque Studies at the University of Malta, gave a presentation about the façade of the Auberge d'Aragon, which served as the seat for the Spanish Langue of Aragon, Catalonia and Navarre.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr Peter Paul Zammit, traced the Corps' history and the major changes that have taken place in police matters since its establishment in 1814.

Mr Anthony Zarb Dimech, renowned for his publications on Malta during the Great War, expounded on how the island acquired the name of "The Nurse of the Mediterranean" during World War I.

Professor Henry J Frendo, Director of Maltese Studies at the University of Malta, discussed the 50th anniversary of Malta's Independence and the 40th anniversary since the change in Malta's constitutional status to a Republic.

Finally, Dr Philip Ciantar, a leading ethno-musicologist from the University of Malta and coordinator of the musicology programme at the Institute of Maltese Studies, gave an overview of Mro Camilleri's distinct musical style and vision.

The symposium was chaired by one of the panel speakers, Professor Henry J Frendo.

In his closing remarks, Professor Josef Bonnici, Governor of the Central Bank of Malta, referred to the milestones in Malta's post-war monetary history, including the establishment of the Bank in 1968 and entry into the Euro Area in 2008. The Governor highlighted that prudence and responsibility were always the guiding values in the conduct of monetary and exchange rate policy, thereby contributing to Malta's economic stability. Professor Bonnici also reiterated the Bank's commitment to Malta's strong numismatic heritage.

For full details of the Central Bank of Malta's coin programme for 2014, please refer to the Bank's website at www.centralbankmalta.org