Rare coins added to national collection

Eight rare coins minted during the reign of the Order of St John in Malta have been added to the national collection.

The coins were bought late last year by the Bank of Valletta at an auction in the UK and recently handed over to Heritage Malta. Classified as either very or extremely rare, the coins are decorated with symbols of religious and military importance to the Knights of St John and were minted in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries.

Throughout the country's colourful history, the coinage used was mostly that of the ruling power of the central Mediterranean.

The first coins, which appear to have been locally minted by the Knights of St John, were during the brief reign of the second grand master, Pietro Del Ponte, following the intercession of Pope Clement VII.