2017-12-13 Wed

Malta released special commemorative coins on 1st December to celebrate the 70th anniversary of their constitution which came into effect in 1947. Everyone above the age of 21 years was given the right to vote. Maltese women were given the right to vote for the first time as well.

National Assembly started working on a draft constitution on 20th January 1945 without any women representatives. Women of Malta Association were allowed in the Assembly two months later. Maltese women voted for the first time in the elections of October 1947. 54% of the voters were women during that election. There were two women candidates, out of whom Agatha Barbara was elected. She contested 10 elections after that and also went on to become the first Maltese woman president of the Republic in 1982. Equality of women is still an ongoing process since 1947.

The Royal Dutch Mint struck the coin featuring a hand casting a vote in a ballot box. The text of the 1947 Constitution stating all persons over 21 years of age were eligible to vote, appears in the background. The emblem of Malta and the year of issue 2017 are featured on the obverse. The 28.28 grams 0.925 fine silver proof quality coin has a face value of €10 and a mintage limit of 1,000 pieces.