Malta 5-CENTS (KM77)¶
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Reverse: MALTESE FRESHWATER CRAB
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Obverse: Republic of Malta; marine scene
- Composition
- Copper-nickel
- Country
- Malta
- Approx. Size
- 20mm
- Area
- Europe
- Animal Class
- Arthropods
- Species
- Maltese Freshwater Crab
- KM#
- 77
The critter on this coin is the Maltese freshwater crab, which apparently is known locally as "il-Qobru" or perhaps just "Qabru." Up to 8cm across, this rare species is in steady decline due to pollution and human interference.
This coin was issued one year only, in 1986. However, the crab reappeared virtually unchanged on KM#95 (1991-1998), with a modified obverse. Malta switched to the Euro in 2008, which means this absolutely beautiful design is no longer in circulation. The example presented here is a proof version of the coin, therefore it highlights the artistry even further.
Malta¶
- Area
- Europe
The Republic of Malta is an archipelego in the Mediterranean 93 km south of Sicily, and was first settled by stone age people around 5,200 BCE. Due to its strategic location, Malta has a long and rich history with various groups and governments ruling the islands, starting with the Greeks in 700 BCE and ending with the British Empire in 1814. Independence was achived in 1964, and the Republic was formed ten years later. Malta has three World Heritage sites, most notably the Megalithic Temples which are the oldest free-standing structures in Europe.
