Rare coins added to national collection

[Arizona Coin Collector]

FROM:
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20090330/local/rare-coins-added-to-national-collection

Monday, 30th March 2009

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.

(IMAGE OF COINS)
http://www.timesofmalta.com/media/serve/20090330--094442-loc_20.jpg

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.

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