New national side of euro coins intended for circulation
(2023/C 204/09)
National side of the new commemorative 2-euro coin intended for circulation and issued by Malta
Euro coins intended for circulation have legal tender status throughout the euro area. For the purpose of informing the public and all parties who handle the coins, the Commission publishes a description of the designs of all new coins (1). In accordance with the Council conclusions of 10 February 2009 (2), euro-area Member States and countries that have concluded a monetary agreement with the European Union providing for the issuing of euro coins are allowed to issue commemorative euro coins intended for circulation, provided that certain conditions are met, particularly that only the 2-euro denomination is used. These coins have the same technical characteristics as other 2-euro coins, but their national face features a commemorative design that is highly symbolic in national or European terms.
Issuing country: Malta
Subject of commemoration: The arrival of the French in Malta in 1798
Description of the design: In June 1798, Napoleon Bonaparte ended the rule of the Order of St John in Malta. During his short stay in Malta, Napoleon established a Republican Government and issued a thorough reform of laws and institutions of Malta. Amongst other things, slavery and the privileges of nobility were abolished. A lay state was established, and the court of the Inquisition was closed. At the time, the far-reaching reforms were not universally accepted by the Maltese, and it was not long before they rebelled.
The design depicts a personification of the French Republic as depicted on the official letterheads of the period. At the left-hand side is the inscription ‘225th ANNIVERSARY’ followed from the top to the right, in semi-circle, by the inscription ‘ARRIVAL OF THE FRENCH IN MALTA’. At the bottom is the year of issuance ‘2023’. The inscriptions ‘Liberté’ (Freedom) and ‘Egalité’ (Equality) are at the left and right side of the image, respectively. At the top left of the inscription ‘Egalité’ are the years ‘1798-2023’.
The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.
Estimated number of coins to be issued: 85 500
Date of issue: June 2023
(1) See OJ C 373, 28.12.2001, p. 1 for the national faces of all the coins issued in 2002.
(2) See the conclusions of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council of 10 February 2009 and the Commission Recommendation of 19 December 2008 on common guidelines for the national sides and the issuance of euro coins intended for circulation (OJ L 9, 14.1.2009, p. 52).