OREANDA-NEWS. On 25 September 2015 Professor Josef Bonnici, Governor of the Central Bank of Malta, and Dr Joseph M Buttigieg, Chairman of Heritage Malta launched a joint numismatic product commemorating the 450th Anniversary of the Great Siege of Malta of 1565 in an event that marks this important national anniversary at the Grand Master's Palace. This joint product consists of a silver coin issued by the Central Bank of Malta and a silver foil issued by Heritage Malta.

The coin was minted at the Royal Dutch Mint. It is struck in 0.925 silver and has a weight of 28.28g and a diameter of 38.61mm. The coin is of proof quality and the mintage is limited to 5,000 pieces.  The silver foil which measures 38x28mm is made of 0.999 silver and has a weight of 1.12g.

Designed and engraved by Noel Galea Bason, the coin depicts Antonio Sciortino's 1927 bronze monument to the fallen of the Great Siege of 1565. The silver foil depicts Grand Master Jean de Valette as painted by Matteo Perez d'Aleccio.

The Great Siege of Malta is an epic historic milestone. The heroic resistance put up by the Knights and the Maltese under the leadership of Grand Master Jean de Valette earned the admiration of Europe.

This joint product comes packed in an attractive presentation case and is limited to 1,565 sets, reflecting the year of the Great Siege. Each set is accompanied by a unique numbered certificate, and will be sold for €75. 

The public is informed that silver proof coins may also be purchased individually for the price of €60.

The limited edition sets and individual silver proof coins may be purchased directly from the Malta Coins Distribution Centre at the main building of the Central Bank of Malta in Valletta. They may also be ordered by sending an email. The individual coins may also be ordered by completing the order form which can be downloaded from the Bank's website.  For more information the public is kindly requested to contact the Malta Coins Distribution Centre by email or by calling (+356) 3550 6006/7/8.

The coin and set can also be purchased from the museum shop of the Great Siege exhibition at the Grand Master's palace and other Heritage Malta outlets.