Obverse. Photo © Florinus.lt
  • 2 Euro 2024, KM# 267, Malta, Native Species, Maltese Honey Bee
  • 2 Euro 2024, KM# 267, Malta, Native Species, Maltese Honey Bee
Description

The Maltese honey bee, Apis mellifera ruttneri, evolved into a distinct subspecies due to the isolation of the Maltese islands following the last ice age, and it belongs to the A Lineage of Apis mellifera. This bee is renowned for its honey production and is closely tied to Malta's ancient name, "Melitē," meaning "honey-sweet" in Greek. Known for its dark coloration and defensive behavior against local predators, A. m. ruttneri shows remarkable tolerance and resistance to the Varroa destructor mite compared to the imported A. m. ligustica bees. Despite its aggression during inspections, this subspecies demonstrates higher survival rates and honey yields, making it essential to Malta's sustainable apiculture. Established in 2022, the Foundation for the Conservation of the Maltese Honey Bee works to protect and promote this indigenous bee species, advocating against the importation of foreign breeds and pushing for its recognition as Malta's national insect.

Obverse

Depicts a Maltese honey bee against the backdrop of a flower in the upper half, with a honeycomb inside a beehive shown in the lower half. The country name on the left, the issue year on the right, and the engraver's initials (MAF) below. The outer ring features the twelve stars of the European flag.

Engraver: Maria Anna Frisone

MALTA 2024
MAF

Reverse

A geographical map of Western Europe spans the outer ring and inner core on the right side of the coin. The inscription 2 EURO is superimposed over the map of Europe, with the numeral “2” located in an open field representing the eastern Atlantic Ocean.

12 stars are located on the right side of the outer ring, with six stars atop the map of Europe and six stars below it; six vertical stripes cut across the inner core of the coin, visually connecting the upper and lower star segments.

Luc Luycx, a designer at the Royal Belgian Mint, designed the Euro’s common reverse; his initials, LL, are seen on the right side of the design, just under the “O” in “EURO.”

2 EURO
LL

Edge

The sequence "2✠✠" repeated six times alternately upright and inverted

2 ✠✠ 2 ✠✠ 2 ✠✠ 2 ✠✠ 2 ✠✠ 2 ✠✠

2 Euro

KM# 267
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Circulating)
Material Nickel Brass
Weight 8.5 g
Diameter 25.75 mm
Thickness 2.2 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Royal Dutch Mint (KNM)

Related coins

Maltese Ox

Native Species

Nickel Brass, 8.5 g, ⌀ 25.75 mm