Despite all the spin and hype surrounding the 'democratic' selection process for the obverses of the Malta euro coinage, the result is that we have been saddled with three poor designs for a total of eight coins.

The Maltese public has still not been informed about a number of important details concerning the new coins. Few are aware that the Malta €1 and €2, and 10, 20, and 50 cent coins will bear a new revised 'common face' reverse, and not the design currently being used by the present Eurozone countries.

Eurozone countries are permitted to issue one commemorative €2 coin annually. In effect, this means that a new design for the 'national face' of this denomination can be selected every year, giving ample scope for accommodating those who wish to see poets, statues, baptisms, royal visits, etc. commemorated on the circulating coinage.

We have also not been informed what inscription the €2 denomination will bear in addition to the reeding on the edge. Germany has the national motto, together with the German eagle. The Netherlands has the royal motto, Finland the name of the country in Finnish and Swedish/English, together with the Finnish lion, while some other issuing countries opted for a series of the figure '2' in upright and inverted positions.

I would suggest that the Maltese €2 coin bear our national motto 'Virtute et Constantia' around the edge, and possibly also a dolphin.