Maltese coins: first series

First series · from 1972

Malta’s first decimal coinage was introduced on 16 May 1972. It includes the small denominations in mils and those in cent; the 1975 25 cent coin marks the first anniversary of the Republic and was added to the initial series.

One cent equals ten mils. The different shapes — round, polygonal and scalloped — are preserved in the photographs. The year ranges may include later mintings for numismatic sets, even after the second series was introduced.

2 mils3 mils5 mils1 cent
AluminiumAluminiumAluminiumBronze
1972–20071972–20061972–20071972–1982
First seriesFirst seriesFirst seriesFirst series
Malta — 2 mils — Maltese cross — 1972 — obverseMalta — 3 mils — Bee and honeycomb — 1972 — obverseMalta — 5 mils — Oil lamp — 1972 — obverseMalta — 1 cent — Maltese cross — 1972 — obverse
Malta — 2 mils — Maltese cross — 1972 — reverseMalta — 3 mils — Bee and honeycomb — 1972 — reverseMalta — 5 mils — Oil lamp — 1972 — reverseMalta — 1 cent — Maltese cross — 1972 — reverse
2 cent5 cent10 cent
Copper-nickelCopper-nickelCopper-nickel
1972–19821972–19811972–1981
First seriesFirst seriesFirst series
Malta — 2 cent — Allegorical bust of Malta — 1972 — obverseMalta — 5 cent — Mnajdra altar — 1972 — obverseMalta — 10 cent — Maltese boat — 1972 — obverse
Malta — 2 cent — Allegorical bust of Malta — 1972 — reverseMalta — 5 cent — Mnajdra altar — 1972 — reverseMalta — 10 cent — Maltese boat — 1972 — reverse
25 cent50 cent
Nickel-brassCopper-nickel
19751972–1981
First seriesFirst series
Malta — 25 cent — First anniversary of the Republic — 1975 — obverseMalta — 50 cent — Allegorical group — 1972 — obverse
Malta — 25 cent — First anniversary of the Republic — 1975 — reverseMalta — 50 cent — Allegorical group — 1972 — reverse

Sources: Central Bank of Malta: currency · Currency Museum · Numista: type data.