Engraver produces medal of late Pope

A medal commemorating Pope John Paul II has just been produced by one of Malta's leading sculptors, Noel Galea Bason.

Mr Galea Bason is an internationally renowned coin and medal engraver who has designed 42 Maltese coins and 11 for San Marino.

The medal commemorating the Pope is made of sterling silver, has a five-centimetre diameter and weighs 60 grammes. Only 250 have been produced, of which 70 have already been sold.

Among the other medals produced by Mr Galea Bason is a limited edition series of 28 portraying the Grand Masters of the Knights of the Order of St John who ruled over Malta.

One of them was recently given to Spanish King Juan Carlos by President Eddie Fenech Adami during his official visit to Spain.

This same series depicting Grand Masters is now being minted in gold in a limited edition of 28 collections. Each of the medals is individually numbered.

A silver bass relief made by Mr Galea Bason depicting St Paul and St Publius had been given to Pope John Paul II by the then President Guido de Marco in September 1999.

Mr Galea Bason is also working on a number of bronze sculptures depicting the human form for an exhibition to be held possibly next year.

The last local exhibition of Mr Galea Bason's work was in 1993 but he held another one in Paris in 1995.

Anyone interested in contacting Mr Galea Bason may send an e-mail on: basonart@maltanet.net