Coins of the Maltese lira

Maltese coins that were in circulation until the adoption of the euro on 1 January 2008.

The first coins of Malta coins had been struck since 1972, as Malta decided to adopt decimal currency, until the end of 2007. There are 10 mils in one cent, and 100 cents in one Maltese lira. These coins were designed by Christopher Ironside OBE.

These coins were phased out since 1994 (though still legal tender):

Value	Diameter	Composition	Edge	Obverse	Reverse	first minting	withdrawal
2 mils	19mm	Aluminium	plain	Maltese Cross	Value	1972	1994
3 mils	22mm	Aluminium	plain	a bee on a honeycomb	Value	1972	1994
5 mils	26mm	Aluminium	plain	a water carrier	Value	1972	2008
1 cent	25mm	Bronze	plain	George Cross	Value	1972	1986
2 cent	17mm	Cupronickel	milled	Knights Hospitaler wearing an elm	Value	1972	1986
5 cent	23.59	Cupronickel	milled	an artal in Hal Tarxien Temples	Value	1972	1986
10 cents	28.52 mm	Cupronickel	milled	a Maltese ship	Value	1972	1986
25 cents	28 mm	Brass	plain	coat of arms with a coastal scene with the rising sun and the traditional Maltese fishing boat, the luzzu	Value	1975	1986
50 cents	32 mm	Cupronickel	plain	Great Siege Monument	Value	1972	1994

Second series (1975-91)

The octagonal 25 cent coin (nickel brass) was introduced in June, 1975 to commemorate Malta becoming a republic within the Commonwealth of Nations on 13 December 1974. A new coat of arms with a coastal scene with the rising sun and the traditional Maltese fishing boat, the luzzu, was adopted. It had the Republic's name REPUBBLIKA TA' MALTA (the Maltese for "Republic of Malta") in the scroll. The 25c coin was the first coin to depict the new republic coat of arms. Interestingly, there are some coins dated 1975 which have the old Dominion coat of arms obverse. These are mule coins, which are worth the same as the coins depicting the new coat of arms.^{[citation needed]}

A whole new series with the new republic coat of arm was issued in 1986, which consisted of 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, 50 cents and 1 lira. The 1 lira coin (pure nickel)was introduced on 19 May 1986 replacing the former banknote.^[1]

Third series (1991-2007)

The present emblem of Malta

In 1988 another coat of arms was adopted. This was a combination derived from the old Dominion coat of arms, but it had the Republic's name Malta above the shield.

The reverse of the 1991 series coins was the same as the previous series, depicting the Maltese coast, rising sun, and luzzu boat. Only the obverse changed. The Lm 1 coin was rarely used a few months before the euro introduction.

Third Series [1]
Image	Value	€ equiv.	Technical parameters			Description			Date of
			Diameter	Mass	Composition	Edge	Obverse	Reverse	first minting	withdrawal	lapse
[2]	1 cent	0.02 cent	18.51 mm	2.81 g	Copper, zinc, a slight percentage of nickel	Plain	Coat of arms	Ballottra (weasel)	1991	31 January 2008[2]	1 February 2010[2]
[3]	2 cents	0.04 cent	17.78 mm	2.26 g	Cupronickel	Milled	Coat of arms	Zebbuga (olive tree)	1991	31 January 2008[2]	1 February 2010[2]
[4]	5 cents	0.12 cent	19.78 mm	3.51 g				il-Qabru (Maltese freshwater crab)
[5]	10 cents	0.23 cent	21.78 mm	5.01 g				Lampuka (dolphin fish)
[6]	25 cents	0.58 cent	24.95 mm	6.19 g		Incused beading		Ghirlanda (evergreen rose)
[7]	50 cents	1.16	27 mm	8 g		Lettered		Tulliera (Maltese Fleabane), an evergreen plant that grows in the Mediterranean region
[8]	Lm1	2.33	29.82 mm	13 g	Nickel			Merrill (Blue Rock Thrush), the national bird
For table standards, see the coin specification table.

References

1. ^ The Coinage of Malta - The Central Bank of Malta
2. ^ ^{a b c d} European Central Bank. "The euro cash changeover in Malta". http://www.ecb.eu/bc/euro/changeover/malta/html/index.en.html. Retrieved 2008-01-15.