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Malta fl-Ewropa
As from the 1 January 2008, Malta became part of the euro zone, and the euro became Malta’s national currency.
The notes are all the same for all countries having the euro as their currency, and each note has a different colour.
On the other hand the coins have one side which is common for all countries, while the other face features the
respective country’s national symbols. The design of this face differs from one country to the other.
Malta underwent a consultation process, where the people were asked to choose designs representing Maltato
feature on the euro coin. Malta’s euros display three separate designs, one featuring the altar at Mnajdra temples
which is featured on the 0.01, 0.02 and 0.05 coins, another one displaying Malta’s National Emblem on the 0.10,
0.20 and 0.50 coins, and another design with the Maltese Cross which can be seen on the 1.00 and 2.00. The
selection for Malta’s euro design was finalised by means of a public consultation, in two stages. In the first stage
of this public consultation, the Maltese public had the opportunity to participate in the process of choosing from
a total of twelve selections, categorised in 4 themes – Malta’s prehistory, Malta’s renaissance, Malta’s identity and
Malta’s archipelago. Each theme had three different selections to choose from.
The four final designs were sent to designer Noel Galea Bason. Mr Galea Bason structured the coins with these
designs, so the public would vote on the best three, and eventually Malta’s coins would be ready. In the second
stage, the public was asked to vote one more time. In this phase, Malta’s cross, Malta’s emblem and Imnajdra’s
altar were declared as the public’s preferred choice.
The Central Bank of Malta issued the final designs on 19 February 2007 and on the 23 October of the same year
the designs were published in the European Union’s official journal.
This is the European flag. It’s
the European Union’s symbol,
as well as a representation of
unity and Europe’s identity
in a wider aspect. The circle
with golden stars represents
solidarity and harmony
among Europe’s nations.
The number of stars does
not reflect the number of
Member States. There are
12 stars because the number
12 is a traditional symbol
of perfection, wealth and
unity. To this effect the
flag was never changed
with the European Union’s
enlargement.
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