1975 Maltese Freshwater Crab £20 Gold Proof Coin

A Maltese £20 proof gold coin, as produced by the British Royal Mint on behalf of the Republic of Malta. Two varieties of this coin exist; one issued earlier in 1975 with only 2,000 coins produced, and one later in the year, with 5,698 coins issued.

The Malta Twenty Pound gold proof coin is produced with medal alignment, meaning both sides appear the same way up. The reverse features a Maltese freshwater crab (Il-Qabru), as designed by Pietro Giampaoli. This sub-species of crab is native to the Maltese islands and is very rare.

The obverse is where the two varieties differ. The earlier version features the fourth Maltese coat of arms. The later version of the Maltese crab coin bears the official Republic Emblem of Malta. This depicts a boat afloat in the Mediterranean beneath the sun, with the words REPUBBLIKA TA MALTA surrounding the imagery. The emblem entered official use on July 11, 1975 and remained in use until 1987.

This product is supplied as 'coin only' in a plastic capsule. There is no box or certificate.