The Central Bank of Malta has issued a €5 gold coin depicting the zecchino.

The zecchino gold coin was first minted in Venice in 1284 and derived its name from the Venetian mint which was known as the zecca. The coin, which weighed 3.5 grams, was of almost pure gold content.

For more than 500 years the design of the coin remained unchanged. It was therefore considered a stable currency and was widely accepted as a means of payment. Consequently, many countries, especially those in the Mediterranean, adopted and issued gold coins similar to the Venetian zecchino.

The coin was introduced and minted in Malta by the Order of St John. On one side it normally depicted an image of St John, the patron saint of the Order, handing a banner to the kneeling Grand Master; on the other side it depicted the figure of Christ holding the Gospel.

The bank’s gold numismatic coin was designed and engraved by Noel Galea Bason and shows the emblem of Malta and the year of issue, 2014. The reverse depicts a zecchino issued by Phillippe Villiers de l’Isle Adam, the first Grand Master to rule over Malta.

The mintage of the coin is limited to 10,000 pieces.

The coin may be purchased from the Malta Coins Distribution Centre at the main building of the Central Bank of Malta in Valletta, or by completing the order form which can be downloaded from the bank’s website.

mcdc@centralbankmalta.org