Malta 2011 Constitutional history – first election of representatives in 1849
Constitutional history - first election of representatives in
1849
General elections were held in Malta between 16 and 20 August 1849, the first in the country's history.
In 1835, Malta was
granted a Government Council by the British authorities. It consisted of
the Governor, four officials
and three members appointed by the governor. In June 1849 Governor Richard More O'Ferrall passed
a new constitution that increased the Council to 18 members, of which ten would
be appointed and eight elected.
The inner part of this coin, the first of a series of five coins
to be issued over a period of five years to mark major milestones in Malta’s
constitutional history, features a hand inserting a ballot paper into the
ballot box to commemorate the election in 1849 of the first Maltese
representatives to the Council of Government advising the British Governor of
Malta, which had been a British colony since the Treaty of Paris of 1814. The
upper right outer edge of the inner part of the coin bears the words “MALTA –
First elected representatives 1849”. The 12 stars of the European Union are
depicted on the outer ring of the coin.
Weight - 8.5 g.
Quality - UNC (Uncirculated)
Diameter - 25.75 mm.
Composition - Bimetallic - nickel brass clad
nickel center in copper-nickel ring
Circulation - 430'000 pcs.
Country of origin - Malta
Year of release - 2011
