News - News Releases 2015
30/04/2015
Issue of numismatic coin commemorating Pope John Paul II
On 30 April 2015 the Central Bank of Malta issued a gold coin commemorating Pope John Paul II on the tenth anniversary of his demise. The coin has a face value of €5 and will be sold for €60 (including VAT).
Karol Josef Wojtyla was born in Wadowice, Poland on 18 May 1920. He was the youngest of three children born to Karol Wojtyla and Emilia Kaczorowska. He was ordained priest on 1 November 1946, was appointed Archbishop of Krakow in 1964 and made Cardinal in June 1967. On 16 October 1978, Cardinal Wojtyla was elected Pope. During his Pontificate John Paul II made 104 international apostolic journeys, beatified 1,338 persons and canonised 482 saints.
Pope John Paul II died on 2 April 2005 and was raised to sainthood by Pope Francis on 27 April 2014.
This gold numismatic coin was designed and engraved by Noel Galea Bason and is of proof quality. The obverse shows the emblem of Malta and the year of issue, 2015. The reverse carries a portrait of Pope John Paul II.
The coin is struck in 0.999 gold at the Royal Dutch Mint, has a weight of 0.5 grams and a diameter of 11 mm. The mintage of the coin is limited to 5,000 pieces.
The coin may be purchased from the Malta Coins Distribution Centre at the main building of the Central Bank of Malta in Valletta, 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.
