BOV buys rare coins of the Knights
Bank of Valletta has bought rare coins of the Knights of Malta which were on sale at an auction in London.
The coins are an outstanding example of fine 16th, 17th and 18th century coinage that will enhance the local numismatic collection, the bank said.
They will initially be on display at Bank of Valletta’s head office in Sta Venera and will later be displayed at the BOV Museum at St. John’s Square, where they can be admired by the public.
“Bank of Valletta believes that through the acquisition of these coins it is giving back to society something that is truly significant to the people of these islands. These coins have more than just historical importance for us, they also have significant value as they form part of our common heritage,” Tonio Depasquale, CEO of Bank of Valletta said.
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18 Comments
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julian caruana
Oct 14th 2008, 17:23
Dear MR JOHN.
The shame is all the civilians that died in Malta, historical monuments we lost all over the island , FOR WHAT??? for someone else's cause, just because we happened to be a strategic point for Mr Churchill and part of your empire. The English took over after we asked for help to get rid of the French , instead we were colonised for 150 years being treated like second class citizens in our own country.
Shame on you Sir!
D.Galea
Oct 14th 2008, 17:11
Let me see since the cost wasn't mentioned in the article, so the Bank cleverly chose now as the right time to get these coins for cheaper since there is a global recession going on & we're still going strong, right? So did they get this collection for a bargain price?
Ivan V Buttigieg
Oct 14th 2008, 17:06
@ Andrew John
Mind you, no one told the Brits to come here, they came cause they needed Malta as their base in the Med sea.!
Manuel Mifsud
Oct 14th 2008, 15:23
@Andrew John
You must be very mistaken to say that Great Britain has only a few old cannons from Malta. The fact that Malta got warplanes and other assistance, particularly during the war, from Great Britain does not justify any looting which might have taken place over the years.
I agree with I. Galea that someone from Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna or some other NGO should start a petition for the return of the La Valette sword and any other treasure taken from Malta.
James De Giorgio
Oct 14th 2008, 14:44
At Andrew John: the UK doesn't just have some old Maltese cannon. The UK has a huge number of artifacts from all over the world, so it isn't just the Maltese who were looted. Look at all the ancient Egyptian artifacts in the British Museum. Shame!
Andrew John
Oct 14th 2008, 14:19
@M Tabone.
You want your cannons back from the UK? Perhaps you'll return all the military artefacts that the UK brought over here, like aeroplanes, convoy ships, destroyers. Of course you can't as most of them are under the sea complete with their crews. And you complain about the UK having some old Maltese cannons! Shame.
Ian Sammut Dacoutros
Oct 14th 2008, 09:46
Well done to BOV!!! Fantastic!!! It is great to see that a corporation actually takes pride in the local history and culture. I salute the effort and the initiative - well done!!!
J Micallef
Oct 14th 2008, 09:28
Sure - A. Abela - why not liquidate all our banks and give everything to the 3rd world countries, so they can carry on buying guns to continue fighting each other.
Yes, a commendable act by the BOV. Investing in our heritage is priceless.
And anyhow, definately worth more than invesitng in some high street bank abroad!!!!
Noel Cutajar
Oct 14th 2008, 06:40
Many of the exhibits which are found in the large museums in Europe such as the British Museum and in Berlin have a large collection of stolen property especially Egyptian artefacts. Recent attempts from Egyptian authorities proved futile...the reason given is that these Countries are just the custodians of human history...good excuse!! Archeology at its best defined as theft in progress. So, the only way to acquire back our history is through these means such as auctions as a result of private collectors wanting to sell. Otherwise we have to admire them from abroad.
Carmen Borg
Oct 14th 2008, 06:14
A Abela stated that BOV wasted money by investing in these coins. I do not agree and commend BOV for doing this. I will find some time to go and see them. Others should do the same and be proud of our history.
Jason Pace
Oct 14th 2008, 03:18
@A. Abela
Third world countries as you call them need education and not money!!!!
Mark Zerafa
Oct 14th 2008, 00:33
Well done to BOV. Not only for bringing back these treasures, but also, and this is the most important thing, ensuring that these are displayed in an appropriate and safe place.
While it aches me to see La Vallette's sword displayed at the Louvre right underneath Napoleon's crown, at least I am assured that it is well taken care of. If we visit the War Museum, for instance, we will all realise that we are simply incapable of handling the wealth of heritage that is already in our hands. Just look at the deterioration of Gloster Gladiator "Faith". That's how well we can take care of our heritage!
William Attard McCarthy
Oct 13th 2008, 23:00
@ All:
..it is also my wish to be able to admire La Valette's sword in Malta but kindly note that:
At the time Malta fell under the jurisdiction of the Order of St. John, which coincidentally at the time also had a Frenchman as head-of-state with the French language or Auberge being the ruling "party". Legally, Napoleon hence "stole" nothing...he was taking property which in fact belonged to the French.
This sword, sadly, never belonged to Malta.
However, on another note, it would be a nice gesture on the Louvre Museum's part to give it to Malta...since our city carries the name of the sword's owner.
T Mifsud
Oct 13th 2008, 19:25
Well done BOV for restoring our heritage and also a big well done for thinking outside of the box!
Denis Catania
Oct 13th 2008, 17:36
@M Tabone: I agree with you all stolen property stolen from Malta, should be returned to Malta.
l Galea
Oct 13th 2008, 17:18
How about someone (Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna?) starting a petition for the return of the De Valette sword and cannons and other Maltese heritage which has been stolen from our country by the various colonizers?
A Abela
Oct 13th 2008, 16:40
What a waste of money. The money should have been given as aid to third world countries.
M. Tabone
Oct 13th 2008, 16:11
Well done BOV!
On another note............ all our treasures which are presently abroad (like La Valette sword (FR) and very old cannons (UK)) should be returned to us!