Malta Banknotes 5 Maltese Lira banknote 1973
Central Bank of Malta - Bank Ċentrali ta’ Malta
Obverse: Map of Malta is centered. On the right side is the Central Bank of Malta Logo. On the left side is the statue of Neptune with the coat of arm of Grandmaster Perollo, attributed to Giambologna (1615), in the Neptune Courtyard of the Grand Master's Palace in Valletta. Denominations in numerals are in all corners. In center in words.
Reverse: A Maltese luzzu at center. Yacht Marina at left and Marsaxlokk Harbour with various luzzus.
Watermark: Allegorical Head of Malta - Melita.
Signatures: Mr. Henry C de Gabriele, Mr. A. Camilleri.
Printer: Thomas De La Rue & Company Limited, London England.
Dimensions: 152 x 80 mm.
Malta banknotes - Malta paper money
The introduction of the new decimal coinage in 1972 spurred the Central Bank of Malta to implement uniformity in note circulation. Thus the currency notes of 1s, 2s, 2s6d, and 5s, issued in the early 1940s to make up for the lack of coinage because of transportation problems during the Second World War, were demonetized by December 1971. Even the 10s notes issued by the Bank in 1968 were called in by June 1972.On 15 January 1973, the Central Bank of Malta issued its second series of currency notes printed by Thomas De La Rue & Co. Ltd. The new notes included £M1 (green colour), £M5 (blue colour) and the £M10 (dark and light brown colour). The 10s note was replaced by a 50c coin during the same period.
The new notes had enhanced security features, including a vertically running security thread and a phosphorous mark in the form of an eight-pointed cross. The notes also contained a watermark showing an allegorical Head of Malta, designed by the Maltese artist Emvin Cremona.
Currency notes always bore a series of combinations of signatures of top persons at the Central Bank. However, in 1975, a new issue of £m10 notes bore only the signature of the then Deputy Governor of the Bank.
1 Maltese Lira 5 Maltese Lira 10 Maltese Lira
Luzzu
A luzzu (pronounced like lutsu in Maltese) is a traditional fishing boat from the Maltese islands. They are usually painted in bright colours, while the bow has a pair of eyes. Luzzus have existed since ancient times.
The word luzzu derives from the Sicilian guzzu (which itself is derived from the Italian guzzo). A guzzu or guzzo is a common fishing or transport vessel used in Italy and Sicily. The plural of luzzu is luzzi in Maltese or luzzus in English.
Luzzus are sturdy boats with a double-ended hull. The design of the Luzzu, like that of another Maltese boat, the dgħajsa, is believed to date back to Phoenician times. The design has survived because it tends to be sturdy and stable even in bad weather. Originally, the luzzu was equipped with sails although nowadays almost all are motorised, with onboard diesel engines being the most common.
Luzzus are brightly painted in shades of yellow, red, green and blue, and the bow is normally pointed with a pair of eyes. These eyes may be the modern survival of an ancient Phoenician custom (also practiced by the ancient Greeks); they are sometimes (and probably inaccurately) referred to as the Eye of Horus or of Osiris. They are said to protect the fishermen while at sea.
On 30 October 1948, a luzzu that was being used as a Gozo ferry capsized and sunk off Ħondoq ir-Rummien, Gozo. 23 people were killed.
The town of Marsaxlokk is especially famous for the large numbers of luzzu and similar craft operating in its harbour. The luzzu is often considered as a symbol of Malta.
Some luzzi have been converted to passenger carriers for tourists although the vast majority continue to be used as fishing vessels.
A kajjik is similar in appearance and function to the luzzu, but has a square transom instead of a double-ended hull. They are usually smaller. Kajjiks are also used in the regatta rowing race.
Gozo boats were also similar to the luzzu, but were larger and had lateen sails. They were used to ferry people from Malta to Gozo, and not for fishing purposes. Gozo boats are now practically extinct with very few still in existence.
A luzzu (pronounced like lutsu in Maltese) is a traditional fishing boat from the Maltese islands. They are usually painted in bright colours, while the bow has a pair of eyes. Luzzus have existed since ancient times.
The word luzzu derives from the Sicilian guzzu (which itself is derived from the Italian guzzo). A guzzu or guzzo is a common fishing or transport vessel used in Italy and Sicily. The plural of luzzu is luzzi in Maltese or luzzus in English.
Luzzus are sturdy boats with a double-ended hull. The design of the Luzzu, like that of another Maltese boat, the dgħajsa, is believed to date back to Phoenician times. The design has survived because it tends to be sturdy and stable even in bad weather. Originally, the luzzu was equipped with sails although nowadays almost all are motorised, with onboard diesel engines being the most common.
Luzzus are brightly painted in shades of yellow, red, green and blue, and the bow is normally pointed with a pair of eyes. These eyes may be the modern survival of an ancient Phoenician custom (also practiced by the ancient Greeks); they are sometimes (and probably inaccurately) referred to as the Eye of Horus or of Osiris. They are said to protect the fishermen while at sea.
On 30 October 1948, a luzzu that was being used as a Gozo ferry capsized and sunk off Ħondoq ir-Rummien, Gozo. 23 people were killed.
The town of Marsaxlokk is especially famous for the large numbers of luzzu and similar craft operating in its harbour. The luzzu is often considered as a symbol of Malta.
Some luzzi have been converted to passenger carriers for tourists although the vast majority continue to be used as fishing vessels.
A kajjik is similar in appearance and function to the luzzu, but has a square transom instead of a double-ended hull. They are usually smaller. Kajjiks are also used in the regatta rowing race.
Gozo boats were also similar to the luzzu, but were larger and had lateen sails. They were used to ferry people from Malta to Gozo, and not for fishing purposes. Gozo boats are now practically extinct with very few still in existence.