New national sides of euro circulation coins

(2007/C 248/08)

On 10 July 2007, the Council of the European Union decided that the Republic of Malta fulfils the necessary conditions for the adoption of the euro on 1 January 2008 (1).

From 1 January 2008, the Republic of Malta will therefore issue euro coins, subject to the approval by the ECB of the volume of the issue (cf. Article 106(2) of the Treaty establishing the European Community).

Euro circulation coins have legal tender status throughout the euro area. The Commission publishes all new euro coin designs (2) with a view to informing all parties required to handle coins in the course of their work as well as the public at large.

The 10-, 20- and 50-cent coins and the 1- and 2-euro coins will be issued by the Republic of Malta with the new common sides of the euro coins (3). The smallest denomination coins (1-, 2- and 5-cent) will be issued with the original common side, since the common side of these denominations has not been modified.

Issuing State: Republic of Malta

Start of issuing: January 2008

Description of the designs:

1 EURO CENT — 2 EURO CENT — 5 EURO CENT

The centre of the coin depicts the altar at the prehistoric temple of Imnajdra on a horizontal decorative strip in the background. The name of the country ‘MALTA’ and the year mark ‘2008’ are engraved under the altar. The engraver's initials ‘NGB’ are positioned on the right hand side under the decorative strip. The image and the inscription are surrounded by the twelve stars of the European flag.

10 EURO CENT — 20 EURO CENT — 50 EURO CENT

The centre of the coin depicts the emblem of Malta. The name of the country ‘MALTA’ and the year mark ‘2008’ are engraved in an interrupted semicircle on the upper left- and right- hand sides of the emblem respectively. The image and the inscription are surrounded by a ring of concentric circles on which appear the twelve stars of the European flag.

1 EURO — 2 EURO

The inner circle of the coin depicts the eight-pointed Maltese cross, on a background of vertical stripes. The letters of ‘MALTA’ appear between the six upper points of the cross, and the year mark ‘2008’ between the two lower points. The twelve stars of the European flag are positioned on the outer ring of the coin.

Edge lettering of the 2-euro coin: 2 ★★, repeated six times, alternately upright and inverted, where stands for an eight-pointed Maltese cross.

(1)  Council Decision 2007/503/EC of 10 July 2007 in accordance with Article 122(2) of the Treaty on the adoption by Malta of the single currency on 1 January 2008 (OJ L 186, 18.7.2007, p. 32).

(2)  See OJ C 373, 28.12.2001, p. 1, and OJ C 254, 20.10.2006, p. 6 for a reference to the other euro coins.

(3)  See OJ C 225, 19.9.2006, p. 7.