23/08/2024

Presentation of Cittadella Coins

The Central Bank of Malta issued a €2 commemorative coin and a silver coin, both having the Ċittadella of Gozo as their theme.

The coins were launched on 23 August 2024, during a ceremony held in the recently restored surroundings of the Ċittadella. The event was addressed by the Hon. Clint Camilleri, Minister for Gozo and Planning and by Mr Alexander Demarco, Acting Governor of the Central Bank of Malta.

The city of Victoria, comprising Rabat and iċ Ċittadella (the Citadel), is the regional capital of Gozo. Built on high ground in the centre of the island, the city has ancient roots which date back at least to the Bronze Age. In 1600, the Order of St John commissioned Giovanni Rinaldini, an Italian military engineer to remodel and upgrade the defences of the Ċittadella. Although by the 1760s the military importance of the Ċittadella diminished, it remained the administrative seat of government in Gozo.

In 1887, at the request of some prominent Gozitans, and on the occasion of Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee, the Ċittadella and Rabat were designated as a city, and by the Queen's consent named 'Victoria'. In 2014, a large-scale rehabilitation and restoration of the Ċittadella was initiated. The project won the 2022 Regiostars Awards. The Ċittadella has been on Malta's tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1998.

The €2 commemorative coin featuring the Ċittadella is the first of a series dedicated to Maltese walled cities. The coins are manufactured in Brilliant Uncirculated quality and will be presented in coin cards as well as part of the 2024 set comprising the eight Malta euro coins from 1cent to €2.

The silver coin, also featuring the Ċittadella, is the result of a collaboration project between the Central Bank of Malta and the Ministry for Gozo. This coin has a face value of €10, is struck in 0.925 silver, has a weight of 28.28g, a diameter of 38.61mm and is finished to proof quality. It depicts the Ċittadella on the reverse and the coat of arms of the Republic of Malta on the obverse. This coin will be limited to just 400 pieces.

 

The silver coin and the national side of the €2 commemorative coin were designed and engraved by Noel Galea Bason. Both coins were minted at the Royal Dutch Mint.

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