A true artist

Reading the report "Silver coin features Sir Adriano Dingli" (November 25), as a Maltese citizen I felt elated that three of our foremost and deservingly respected holders of public office honoured Sir Adriano, who was such a worthy son of Malta - a brilliant jurist and statesman who had done so much for the welfare of the Maltese.

However, it is a big shame that this article, while detailing price, specifications etc of the coin, failed to mention the artist without whose genuis and skill this coin and the others in the series would not have been possible.

Noel Galea Bason is a true artist. As a medallic sculptor excelling in portraiture he is without equal in Malta and matched by only very few anywhere. A Galea Bason bas-relief, medal or coin is always marked by beauty and imagination. He is the embodiment of the Egyptian definition of the word "sculptor" - one who keeps alive.

How many Maltese know that in 1997 Mr Galea Bason was commissioned by the Republic of San Marino to design and sculpt a set of 10 coins on the theme Man and his Artistic Expression. This is the first time that a Maltese artist has created coinage for a foreign country. His work is also found in the British Museum.

Mr Galea Bason is not without honour, save in his own country.