Be the first to comment!1st century BC Gayliton coin donated to the Gozo Museum
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The President of the Malta Numismatic Society, Mr Simon Ellul Sullivan, has donated a Gayliton coin dating to the 1st century BC. to the Gozo Museum.
The Gozo Museum, in a facebook post, expressed their “delight” in being presented with this perforated Gayliton coin – which were minted in Gozo. “This is the only period in history when our little island issued its own coinage.”
On the obverse appears the bust of the goddess Astarte on a crescent moon, wearing a Corinthian helmet. On the reverse stands an armoured warrior hurling a spear, with a star at his side. The Greek legend GAYLITON can be seen very faintly to the left.
The Museum said that “the perforation indicates that the coin was held on a string at some point in history. – possible for safekeeping.”
The Gozo Museum project, for which 40% of the construction is now complete, is being implemented by the Ministry for Gozo and the items to be exhibited will come from the Heritage Malta National Collection, as well as donations.
The collections include artefacts from the field of natural history, archaeology, folklore, art and ethnography. Visual arts will also be introduced into this new museum.
There will also be space for temporary exhibitions as well as the Gozo offices of Heritage Malta. A museum shop, cafeteria and a conference space are also part of the project.
Photograph: Gozo Museum
