David Pullicino, deputy governor of the Central Bank of Malta said that “through the Series, the Central Bank of Malta helps to recognise Maltese personalities who had an effect on the political, social and cultural sectors of our country”.

Mr Pullicino pointed out that Giuseppe Cali made a significant contribution to Malta’s artistic heritage and therefore it was appropriate to commemorate him through the issuance of a coin in the Distinguished Maltese Personalities Series.

Art critic Emmanuel Fiorentino gave a brief history about Giuseppe Cali, and why he is considered to be one of the greatest Maltese artists of all time. Giuseppe Cali was born in Valletta on 14 August 1846 to Neapolitan parents who had settled in Malta some time before.

He received his education at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Naples under Giuseppe Macinelli. When he returned to Malta he immediately embarked on a long and prolific career in decorating many churches in Malta and Gozo. Cali died in Valletta in 1930.

The silver proof coin is legal tender in Malta for the value of Lm5.

The coin was designed by the Maltese artist Noel Galea Bason and a limited number of 2,000 coins were minted.

The Cali coin collection joins the other three coins in the Distinguished Maltese Personalities Series which commemorate Prime Minister Enrico Mizzi, composer Nicolo Isouard and Chief Justice Sir Adriano Dingli.

The coins are available for sale at the price of Lm15.39 each from the counter of the Malta Coins Distribution Centre, at the Central Bank of Malta.