Maltese Heraldry - Coats of Arms Between 1964 and 1988

Coats of Arms Between 1964 and 1988

The fist coat of arms of Malta was adopted upon independence on 21 September 1964. It depicts two dolphins which support a blazon of the Maltese flag, one with a palm branch and the other with an olive twig representing Victory and Peace respectively. Above is a crown shaped like a fort with five octagonal turrets surmounts a helmet, with red and white ribbons. Below are blue waves representing the surrounding Mediterranean Sea, the Maltese eight-pointed Cross representing the connection with the Order of St. John, and the motto Virtute et Constantia (by Valour and Firmness) on a ribbon. Nowadays, this motto is used by the National Order of Merit. This coat of arms was also used on some commemorative coins issued by the Central Bank until 1975 and appeared on the high value £2 postage stamp from the definitive set of 1973.

The second coat of arms was adopted on the 11 July 1975, a year after Malta became a republic. It showed a coastal scene with the rising sun, a traditional Maltese boat (the 'Luzzu'), a shovel and a pitchfork, and an Opuntia. All of these symbols are somewhat connected to Malta. Underneath the image the then new name of the state "Repubblika Ta' Malta" (Republic of Malta) was written. This coat of arms was controversial and it was replaced by the current coat of arms soon after the Nationalist Party won the 1987 election.

This coat of arms could be still seen on a number of coins minted in 1986 which were still in circulation until 1 January 2008 when Malta changed its currency to the euro.

• 1964-1975

• 1975-1988