Coins of the Maltese lira facts for kids

The Maltese lira coins were the money used in Malta before it started using the Euro. Malta began using these coins in 1972. Before that, they used a different type of money called the Pound Sterling. The Maltese lira system was set up so that 10 mils made one cent, and 100 cents made one Maltese lira. These coins were used until 2007.

First Coins: The 1972 Series

The first set of Maltese coins came out in 1972. They replaced the old British money that Malta had been using since 1825. Some of these new coins were similar in size to the old British ones. For example, the 5 cent coin was like the old shilling, and the 10 cent coin was like the old two-shilling coin. A designer named Christopher Ironside created these coins.

In June 1975, a special 25 cent coin was made. This coin was shaped like an octagon (an eight-sided shape). It was created to celebrate Malta becoming a republic in December 1974. Being a republic means the country is led by elected officials, not a king or queen. This 25 cent coin was the first to show Malta's new national emblem on its front.

Here are some of the coins from this first series:

• 2 mils: This coin had the Maltese Cross on it.
• 3 mils: This coin showed a bee on a honeycomb.
• 5 mils: This coin featured a lampstand.
• 1 cent: This coin had the George Cross on it.
• 2 cent: This coin showed Penthesilea wearing a helmet.
• 5 cent: This coin featured a Megalithic altar, which are ancient stone structures in Malta.
• 10 cents: This coin displayed a Maltese galley (a type of ship).
• 25 cents: This special coin had the Emblem of Malta from that time.
• 50 cents: This coin showed the Great Siege Monument.

Most of these coins were taken out of use by 1986, but the 2 cent coin lasted until 2008, and the 25 and 50 cent coins until 1994.

Second Coins: The 1986 Series

A brand new set of coins was released on May 19, 1986. This series included coins for 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, 50 cents, and a new 1 lira coin. The 1 lira coin was special because it replaced a paper banknote.

These new coins were designed with local plants and animals on the front. The back of all these coins showed the republican emblem. In 1988, Malta got a new coat of arms. This new design looked like the Maltese flag with a special crown and a wreath of olive and palm trees. Because of this change, the coins made from 1991 onwards showed this newer coat of arms, but the pictures of the plants and animals on the back stayed the same.

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  Malta's Emblem (1975–1988)

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  Malta's Coat of Arms (1991–2007)

This second series of coins was used until 2007. They were taken out of circulation in January 2008 when Malta officially started using the Euro. By February 2010, these coins were no longer valid money.

Here are some of the coins from this second series:

• 1 cent: This coin showed a Ballottra (which is a weasel).
• 2 cents: This coin featured a Zebbuga (an olive tree).
• 5 cents: This coin had il-Qabru (the Maltese freshwater crab) on it.
• 10 cents: This coin displayed Lampuki (a dolphin fish).
• 25 cents: This coin showed a Ghirlanda (an evergreen rose).
• 50 cents: This coin featured a Tulliera (Maltese Fleabane), which is an evergreen plant found in the Mediterranean.
• Lm1 (1 lira): This coin had a Merrill (the Blue Rock Thrush), which is Malta's national bird.

All these coins were first made in 1986 or 1991. They were all taken out of use on January 31, 2008, and stopped being valid money on February 1, 2010.

Images for kids

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  2 cents coin (1976)