Podcasts · The Story of Malta: The Fortress Island of the Mediterranean — Fexingo History
The Knights' Mint: Money and Power in Hospitaller Malta
· 8:00 · S5 E216
Episode The Knights' Mint: Money and Power in Hospitaller Malta
In this episode of The Story of Malta, Lucas and Luna explore the Knights' mint and the everyday economy of Hospitaller Malta. They trace the origins of the Maltese coinage system, from the early days under the Order of St John to the establishment of the zecca in Birgu and later Valletta. They discuss the practical challenges of minting in a small island state, the transition from the medieval tari to the standardized scudo, and the role of money in diplomatic gifts and military campaigns. Along the way, they touch on the famous 'Maltese cross' coins, the debasement controversy of the seventeenth century, and the experience of foreign traders and locals at the bustling markets. They also consider how coins served as propaganda for the Knights, projecting an image of stability and piety. The conversation weaves in specific figures like Grand Master Jean de Valette and later reformers, and closes with a reflection on the legacy of these coins in modern Malta.
#MalteseHistory #KnightsOfStJohn #HospitallerMalta #Numismatics #Coinage #Tari #Scudo #Zecca #Birgu #Valletta #JeanDeValette #MalteseCross #MediterraneanHistory #EconomicHistory #16thCentury #17thCentury #FexingoHistory #History
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Transcript
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