Malta

Commemorative coin

2016

Ġgantija Temples

(Part of the National series " Maltese prehistoric sites ")

Official Journal of the European Union

The coin depicts the Ġgantija Temples situated on the Island of Gozo. Ġgantija is a megalithic temple complex dating to the Neolithic ages. It is one of the world's oldest free-standing structures, as well as one of the oldest religious structures. Built approximately in the 36th century BC, Ġgantija pre-dates Stonehenge and the Egyptian Pyramids. At the top right the inscription ‘ĠGANTIJA TEMPLES’ and underneath the years ‘3800-3200 BC’. At the bottom left the name of the country of issuance ‘MALTA’ and underneath the year of issuance ‘2016’, flanked by the mint master mark and the mint mark. The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.

Additional information

The coin is dedicated to the temple complex of Ġgantija, located on the island of Gozo in the archipelago of Malta. Formed by megalithic temples from the Neolithic Age, it is one of the oldest free-standing structures and one of the oldest religious buildings in the world. The temple complex was built around 3800 BC (the northern temple depicted as a coin motif is about 200 years younger) and is thus older than Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids.

Edge lettering

Designer