On 21 June the Central Bank of Malta issued a new euro coin set dated 2018 in a brilliant uncirculated version. The set consists of the eight Maltese euro coins as well as a €2 coin depicting the prehistoric temples of Mnajdra. The latter is the third in a series of seven coins dedicated to Maltese prehistoric monuments.
The set was officially launched by the Governor of the Central Bank of Malta, Dr Mario Vella at the Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra Visitor Centre in Qrendi. In the course of this event, which was held in collaboration with Heritage Malta, the invitees were given a guided tour of Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra temples and were given the opportunity to view an audio-visual experience intended to help them understand better the significance behind the Neolithic temples.
The Mnajdra Temples in Qrendi lie in very close proximity to the Ħaġar Qim temples. Mnajdra dates to 3,600-3,200 BC and is one of the oldest free-standing monuments in the world. The site was first excavated in 1840 and is best known for its astronomical alignments. Mnajdra is a Unesco World Heritage Site.
All the coins in the set are in brilliant uncirculated quality and were struck at the Monnaie de Paris in France. The national sides of the euro coins and the commemorative €2 coin were designed by Noel Galea Bason. The sets, which will be limited to 15,000, will be presented in an attractive and illustrated blister-pack.
Sets may be purchased directly from the Malta Coin Centre e-shop, which can be accessed through the bank's website www.centralbankmalta.org. Alternatively, one may visit the Malta Coin Centre counter at the main building of the Central Bank of Malta, Castille Place, Valletta. The dated set will be sold for €26.
For further information the public is kindly requested to contact the Malta Coin Centre via email on [email protected] or by calling on (+356) 2550 6006/7.