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A 2 euro commemorative coin of the Republic of Malta, issued in 2019 in a circulation of 350,000 copies. The fourth in the series "Maltese Prehistoric Temples". It was minted at the Paris Mint. Bimetallic, diameter 25.75 mm, weight 8.5 g.
Obverse
The center of the coin depicts an architectural fragment of the Ta-Hajrat temple complex: a characteristic trilithon (entrance made of three massive stone blocks) and walls made of polygonal megaliths. At the top, in an arc, is the inscription "Templi ta' Ħaġrat" (Temples of Ta-Hajrat). Below is the name of the issuing country "MALTA" and the year "2019". On the outer ring are the 12 five-pointed stars of the European Union.
Reverse
The reverse is the common side of the 2 euro coins of the second type, designed by Luc Luix (Royal Belgian Mint). It depicts a map of Europe as a single continent without internal borders - a symbol of European unity. On the left - a large denomination "2" and the inscription "EURO", on the right - a map with six thin horizontal lines in the background. On the outer ring are the 12 stars of the European Union. The band - with fine ribbing, with a Maltese cross and the inscription "★ 2 ★".
Historical context
Ta' Ħaġrat is a megalithic temple complex located in the village of Mġarr in the north-west of Malta. It consists of two adjacent temples built in different phases of the Maltese Neolithic: the larger (Great Temple) - in the Ġgantija phase (c. 3600-3200 BC), the smaller (Small Temple) - later, in the Saflieni phase (3300-3000 BC). The temples are relatively small in size, but demonstrate the characteristic features of Maltese megalithic architecture: trilithon portals, apsidal rooms, concentric planning scheme. Among the finds are fragments of pottery, a ceramic model of the temple (now in the National Archaeological Museum of Valletta), which gives an idea of the original appearance of the structures. Excavations were started by Temi Zammit in 1923-1926. Ta-Hajrat was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1992, along with six other Maltese prehistoric temples.