Malta. New Silver Proof Coins mark 450 Years of National Historic Landmark

Work on this vast structure in the capital city of Valetta commenced in late 1574 during the reign of Grand Master Jean de la Cassiere (r. 1572 - 1582) and was extended several times over the years. The ‘Old Ward’ as it was known was extended into the ‘Great Ward’ during the years 1660 to 1666 under the rule of the noble house of the Cotoners. It was this time in 1676 that Grand Master Nicholas Cotoner (r. 1663-80) founded the School of Anatomy and Surgery at the Infirmary. The great hall measuring 155 metres or, 500 feet in length, was at that time one of the largest in Europe and was described as having one of the grandest interiors in the world. The Sacra Infermeria was considered one of the best hospitals in Europe and could accommodate 914 patients in an emergency. When the Order of St John of Jerusalem left the Maltese Islands, the French took over the Infirmary in June 1798, just after the occupation of the Island by General Napoleon Bonaparte. The Infirmary now became known as the Grand Hospital or Hospital Militaire.

From 1800 and during the British Rule beginning in 1813, the Centre served as a Station Hospital until 1918. Situated very near to the Grand Harbour, the hospital was within easy reach of the sick and wounded servicemen as hospital ships brought them in. For this reason the Station Hospital was mainly used as a sorting base and also as a centre for dangerously ill patients that could not be moved any further. However, the end of World War I also saw the end of the Station Hospital. The Infirmary’s Hall was turned into the Police Headquarters from 1918 till 1940. During the ensuring bombardments of Valletta during World War II, the building received four direct hits. Part of what remained standing of the Long Ward was utilised as an entertainment centre for the allied troops and became known as the Command Hall, from 1945 till 1950.

From early 1950 until 1951 the building which was deemed safe was turned into a Children’s Theatre and from 1959, the former Infirmary served as a School and Examination Hall. Over the years, several attempts at restoration and reconstruction of the derelict building were made in 1959 and 1975, with a final effort during 1978 when the building was transformed and re-purposed into a grand events complex. The new Mediterranean Conference Centre was inaugurated on the 11th February 1979 and was awarded the coveted Europa Nostra Diploma of Merit for the ‘superb restoration of the Sacra Infermeria and its adaption for use as a conference centre’. Today, the Great Hall is one of the building’s main attractions and is admired for the methods used to painstakingly renovate both the exterior and interior of the four-century old structure.

The proof quality coins are produced by the Royal Dutch Mint at their facilities in Houten, Netherlands on behalf of the Central Bank of Malta. The reverse design was created and engraved by renowned Maltese artist Noel Galea Bason who presents an artistic depiction of a Grand Master of the Order of St John tending to the sick - a tribute to the building's original function as a hospital. The commemorative inscription 450^TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SACRA INFERMERIA 1574 – 2024 is placed around the primary design along the rim with the additional text VALETTA MALTA placed below and separated with small Maltese crosses. The denomination 10 EURO is shown just to the left of the depiction of the Grand Master and a small shield representing the Sacra Infermeria is seen just to the right. The reverse of the coin features Malta's national coat of arms consisting of the Maltese crest along with the top portion of a tower fortress. The text MALTA is placed to the left and the year of issue 2025 is placed on the right. The entire design is encircled with twelve incused stars symbolising Malta’s membership in the EU and euro-zone. 

Each coin is encapsulated and presented in a heavy-gauge card case accompanied with a certificate of authenticity. For additional information, please visit the e-webshop of the Malta Coin Centre.