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
Feature Details
Country Malta
Issuer Central Bank of Malta
Period Republic (1974–present)
Year 1994
Denomination 20 Lira (MTL)
Currency Maltese Pound
Composition Paper
Size 159 × 76 mm
Shape Rectangular
Demonetized 31 January 2018
Printer De La Rue, London
Signature Anthony P. Galdes, Governor
Reference Pick 48
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.
