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Description
The French invasion of Malta was the successful invasion of the islands of Malta and Gozo, then ruled by the Order of St. John, by the French First Republic led by Napoleon Bonaparte in June 1798 as part of the Mediterranean campaign of the French Revolutionary Wars.
The initial landings were met with some resistance from both the Order and the Maltese militia, but in less than a day the French had taken control of the entire Maltese archipelago except for the well-fortified harbour area that included the capital Valletta. The Order had the means to withstand a siege, but a series of circumstances including discontent among its own French members as well as the native Maltese population led to a truce which ended with the capitulation of the Order.
The invasion therefore ended the 268-year-long Hospitaller rule in Malta, and it resulted in the French occupation of Malta. A few months after the invasion, discontent due to reforms that were taking place led to an uprising, which evolved into a blockade of the French garrison by Maltese insurgents aided by the British, Neapolitans and Portuguese. The blockade lasted for two years, and ended with the French surrendering to the British in 1800, making Malta a protectorate and initiating 164 years of British rule.
Obverse
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Depicts Marianne seated on a throne while holding a staff with the Phrygian cap of liberty on top. The issue reason above, the dates "1798 - 2023" on the top right, and the catchwords of the French Revolution "Liberty" and "Equality" complete the motif on both sides. The issue year and the abbreviation "NGB" by the engraver below. The twelve stars of the European flag are depicted on the outer coin ring. 225th ANNIVERSARY ARRIVAL OF THE FRENCH IN MALTA |
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Reverse
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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. 2 EURO |
| Edge |
The sequence "2✠✠" repeated six times alternately upright and inverted 2 ✠✠ 2 ✠✠ 2 ✠✠ 2 ✠✠ 2 ✠✠ 2 ✠✠ |
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Characteristics
| Type | Commemorative Issue (Circulating) |
| Material | Nickel Brass |
| Weight | 8.5 g |
| Diameter | 25.75 mm |
| Thickness | 2.2 mm |
| Shape |
round
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| Alignment | Medal |
| Mint |
Royal Dutch Mint (KNM)
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