Malta 20 Lira Banknote – Personification of Malta & Independence Act (1994 Issue)

Pick 48 | Numista N#217296

Issued by the Central Bank of Malta in 1994, this note represents the mature phase of the Maltese pound before its withdrawal in 2018. Its design blends allegory, national pride, and political history, making it one of the most recognisable high‑denomination Maltese notes of the 1990s.

Obverse Design

Personification of Malta at the right, depicted in classical style

National coat of arms at the upper left

Denomination Għoxrin Lira (Twenty Lira) prominently displayed

Text affirming legal‑tender status under the Central Bank of Malta Act of 1967

Clean Latin‑script layout with strong De La Rue engraving

Reverse Design

Portrait of Giorgio Borg Olivier, Prime Minister who led Malta to independence

The Independence Act of 21 September 1964 shown at right

Inscription celebrating the Maltese people’s joy at independence

Denomination repeated in Maltese

Balanced composition highlighting both political leadership and national achievement

Style and Colour

Warm, multicolour underprint with refined shading

Strong portrait engraving typical of De La Rue’s 1990s output

A blend of allegory, political symbolism, and national identity

Key Specifications

Security Features

Watermark portrait

Fine‑line multicolour underprint

High‑quality De La Rue engraving

Traditional security strip and microtext typical of the era

Collecting Significance

The 1994 20 Lira note is valued for its strong national symbolism and its place in Malta’s pre‑euro monetary history. Collectors appreciate:

The allegorical personification of Malta

The political importance of Borg Olivier and the Independence Act

High‑quality De La Rue printing

The note’s status as one of the last major designs before euro adoption

Its combination of artistry and national identity makes it a standout piece in Maltese numismatics.