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WATCH: How many of these Maltese Lira coins do you remember in use?
The currency was used between 1972 and 2008

Caroline Curmi

Malta's official currency has underwent a number of radical changes over the years, and quite a few were had in the past 70 years.

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Following the Maltese islands' independence from the UK, Malta established it's own currency: the Maltese Pound, or as it was rechristened in 1985, the Maltese Lira. There were two official versions, with the first released in 1972. It had 100 cents and each cent had 10 mils. Eight coins were in use: 50c, 10c, 5c and 2c in copper-nickel, and 1c in bronze, with 5m, 3m, and 2m in aluminum. A 25c coin was introduced in 1975.

After a makeover around 1986, the Maltese Lira dropped the mils from the currency and instead debut a new coin system: LM1, 50c, 25c, 10c, 5c, 2c and 1c.

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This currency was officially discontinued in 2008, when Malta adopted the Euro. While Malta's Lira is no longer used in trade, it remains a great source of nostalgia for locals, especially those who grew up using it.

Do you remember any of these coins in use?

5th May 2020


Caroline Curmi
Written by
Caroline Curmi
When she’s not having a quarter-life crisis, Caroline is either drawing in a café, frittering her salary on sushi or swearing at traffic in full-on Gozitan. There is also the occasional daytime drink somewhere in the equation. Or two. A creative must be allowed at least one vice.

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