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A 2 euro commemorative coin of the Republic of Malta, issued in 2022 in a circulation of 150,000 copies. The seventh and last in the "Maltese Prehistoric Temples" series. 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 element of the Hypogeum of Hal Saflieni: a characteristic imitation of a megalithic "trilithon" portal, carved into the rock - the Holy of Holies, with linear blocks above the "entrance" portal. At the top, in an arc, is the inscription "Ipoġew ta' Ħal-Saflieni". At the bottom - "MALTA" and the year "2022". 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 is a large denomination "2" and the inscription "EURO", on the right is a map with six thin horizontal lines in the background. On the outer ring are the 12 stars of the European Union. The rim is finely fluted, with a Maltese cross and the inscription "★ 2 ★".
Historical context
The Hypogeum of Hal Saflieni (Ipoġew ta' Ħal-Saflieni) is a unique prehistoric underground necropolis and sanctuary located in Paola (Raula) in southern Malta. It is the only underground prehistoric sanctuary in the world carved into living rock (soft globigerine). The hypogeum consists of three levels, extends over 500 m² and contains up to 7,000 burials. Construction lasted from 4000 to 2500 BC. On the middle level is the "Holy of Holies" - the main imitation of an above-ground megalithic temple, with reliefs that repeat the trilithon portals. The ceilings are decorated with red ochre spirals. A famous find is the "Sleeping Lady" - a terracotta statuette of a female figure, which probably symbolizes a goddess. The Hypogeum was found in 1902 by a worker digging a basement. Inscribed on the UNESCO List in 1980 - it was one of the first Maltese sites. Today, the Hypogeum is open to a limited number of visitors (10 per hour) for preservation reasons.