The obverse of the coin shows at its centre the Coat of Arms of the Central Bank of Malta. At centre, a shield divided in three parts; in the top part, a horizontal key as a symbol of economic progress and security; the lower parts have "heraldic hatching" indicating a white background on the left, and a red background on the right - the colours of the flag of Malta; in the left part, the George Cross, awarded to Malta for bravery in April 1942 by King George VI. Above the shield, a crest surrounded by laurel and palm branches, symbols of honour and peace respectively, supporting a mural crown on top - symbolic of Malta's historic role as a fortress.
On the sides, the shield is supported by two armoured and helmeted Knights of Malta holding large swords, representing confidence and strength, the two virtues incorporated in the Bank's motto. These symbolise some of the greatest pages in Malta's long military history, which, for more than two-and-a-half centuries, was ruled by the Order of the Knights of St John of Jerusalem. The plumed helmet of a knight which surmounts the shield also has a special connection to Malta as it was modelled on one found on a monument in the 16th century Co-Cathedral of St John in Valletta, built by the Knights.
On a ribbon below, the motto in Latin: FIDUCIA FORTIS ("In Confidence Strength"), and the date the bank was founded, 1968.
Behind the logo is a Maltese Cross.
The whole arrangement is on a shield, which appears to be held up by an armoured knight in the background; the rest of the background of the obverse is textured like chainmail. On the right, on the knight's glove, the initials of the designer Mateusz Frąckowiak, MF.
Around above, the name of the country: · MALTA ·. Around below, the date of issue · 2023 ·. Around below left, the metal content: 1 oz Ag 999.9 (one troy ounce of 99.99% silver). |
Search for Malta: Silver Ounce 2023 Knights of the Past on eBay 