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A 2 euro commemorative coin of the Republic of Malta, issued in 2021 in a circulation of 350,000 copies. The sixth in the series "Maltese Prehistoric Temples". It was minted at the Paris Mint. Bimetallic, diameter 25.75 mm, weight 8.5 g.
Overse
The center of the coin depicts an architectural element of the Tarxien Temple - a characteristic decorative stone block with carved spirals (one of the most outstanding examples of megalithic art) and a fragment of the famous "Fat Lady" - the lower part of a huge statue of the goddess. At the top, in an arc, is the inscription "It-Tempji ta' Tarxien" (Temples of Tarxien). Below - "MALTA" and the year "2021". On the outer ring are the 12 stars of the EU.
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
Tarxien Temples is the largest and most complex of the Maltese megalithic temple complexes, located in the town of Tarxien near Valletta (central Malta). It consists of four adjacent temples built during the Tarxien phase (3150–2500 BC), the latest and most advanced phase of the Maltese Neolithic. The temples are distinguished by the exceptional quality of megalithic construction and decorative carvings: numerous reliefs with spirals, animals, and figures have been found here; stone altars; and the lower part of a huge statue of a female deity (the so-called "Rubbish Lady" - a figure that could originally have reached 2.5 m in height). Tarxien was accidentally discovered by peasants plowing the land in 1913; excavations were conducted by Temi Zammit. After the Tarxien phase, the complex was used as a cremation cemetery in the Bronze Age (2500–1500 BC). Tarxien was added to UNESCO in 1992.