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Issue of numismatic coins under the Europa Programme 2014 – “European Composers’’ – Maestro Charles Camilleri

On 12 February 2014 the Central Bank of Malta issued a numismatic coin in gold and in silver commemorating the Maltese composer, Charles Camilleri (1931-2009), as part of the Europa Programme 2014 "European Composers". 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 of the Bank's 2014 coin programme.

Charles Camilleri was born on 7 September 1931. He studied music at a very young age and in 1947 he wrote his first significant work entitled "The Malta Suite". This composition is an example of how Camilleri incorporated Maltese folk song and music in many of his works, thereby creating a national music identity for Malta. He lived overseas for many years, wrote and composed in Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States where he composed many of his works. His music, which has been published internationally, ranges from the folk music of his early years to the later abstract and modernist pieces. He died on 3 January 2009, aged 77.

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, 2014. The reverse features a portrait of Charles Camilleri. The coins were designed and engraved by the Maltese artist, Noel Galea Bason.

The €10 silver coin is of 0.925 finesse and has a weight of 28.28 grams, with a diameter of 38.61 mm. The minting limit is set at 5,000 pieces. The €50 gold coin is of 0.916 finesse and has a weight of 6.5 grams, with a diameter of 21 mm. The total mintage for the gold coin is limited to 1,500 pieces. Both coins are struck to proof quality.

The coins may be purchased from the counter of the Malta Coins Distribution Centre at the main building of the Central Bank of Malta in Valletta. Coins can also be ordered by completing the order form available on 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.