Following the accession of Malta to the European
Union on the 1st May 2004, Malta's agreement to introduce the Euro
currency and euro coins reached its climax. With all statistics and criteria adhered
to, Malta has officially applied to introduce the Euro Currency in
January 2008. The final desicion which came from Brussels on the
16th May 2007 gave the go ahead for the Euro adoption in Malta. All Malta coins in circulation will therefore seize from circulation
and be replaced by the Malta Euro coins.
The Malta Euro Coins were designed by local engraver Noel Galea Bason, the Euro coins will
be struck in France and have now been in circulation since January 2008. Three designs have been chosen to appear on the Malta euro coins.
These are, the emblem of the Republic of Malta, the eight pointed Maltese cross,
and the ritual altar at Hagar Qim (Malta's oldest temples). The reverse of the
Maltese Euros will
also bear the date of issue '2008' and 'MALTA'.