The Malta Independence Fiftieth Anniversary Medal is a national commemorative medal of the

Republic of Malta Malta ( , , ), officially the Republic of Malta ( mt, Repubblika ta' Malta ), is an island country in the Mediterranean Sea. It consists of an archipelago, between Italy and Libya, and is often considered a part of Southern Europe. It lies ...

. The medal is awarded by the

President of Malta The president of Malta ( mt, President ta' Malta) is the constitutional head of state of Malta. The President is indirectly elected by the House of Representatives of Malta, which appoints the president for a five-year term and requires them to ...

to recognize contributions to the development and well-being of Malta as a nation and a member of the international community of nations since the State of Malta gained independence in 1964. The medal, which may be awarded posthumously, has been awarded to former Presidents,

Prime Ministers A prime minister, premier or chief of cabinet is the head of the cabinet and the leader of the ministers in the executive branch of government, often in a parliamentary or semi-presidential system. Under those systems, a prime minister is no ...

, and other notable Maltese politicians.

Appearance

The Malta Independence Fiftieth Anniversary Medal is circular, 36 mm (1.4 in) wide, and made of

cupro-nickel Cupronickel or copper-nickel (CuNi) is an alloy of copper that contains nickel and strengthening elements, such as iron and manganese. The copper content typically varies from 60 to 90 percent. (Monel is a nickel-copper alloy that contains a minimu ...

. The obverse of the medal depicts the

Coat of arms of Malta The coat of arms of Malta is the national coat of arms of the country of Malta. The present coat of arms is described by the Emblem and Public Seal of Malta Act of 1988 as a shield showing an heraldic representation of the national flag of Malta ...

, with the year ''2014'' at its base. The reverse bears a depiction of the Coat of arms of Malta of 1964 in the center, circumscribed in relief by ''ĦAMSIN ANNIVERSARJU MILLINDIPENDENZA'' separated by a Maltese Cross from the inscription ''MALTA 1964'' at the base. The Medal's suspension ribbon is 32 mm (1.3 in) wide, divided into equal halves of white and red. The medal attached to the ribbon by a bar-type suspension. On the bar is a design, in relief, of an olive branch and palm frond joined at the middle. Recipients' names are engraved on the rim of the medal.

Notable recipients

*Dr

George Abela George Abela, (born 22 April 1948) is a Maltese politician who was the eighth president of Malta from April 2009 to April 2014. Early life Abela was born in Qormi, Malta, to George and Ludgarda (née Debono) Abela. He attended the local prima ...

*Dr Edward Fenech Adami * Agatha Barbara † *Dr

Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici, (17 July 19335 November 2022) was a Maltese politician who served as Prime Minister of Malta from December 1984 to May 1987.

*Dr

Ugo Mifsud Bonnici Ugo Mifsud Bonnici, (born 8 November 1932) is a Maltese politician and was the fifth president of Malta from 1994 to 1999. Early life, education, and family Ugo Mifsud Bonnici was born in Cospicua as the son of Professor Carmelo Mifsud Bonnic ...

*Dr Anton Buttigieg † *Professor

Guido de Marco Guido de Marco, (22 July 1931 – 12 August 2010) was a Maltese politician, who served as the sixth president of Malta from 1999 to 2004. A noted statesman and lawmaker, de Marco also served as Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Interi ...

† *Dr

Lawrence Gonzi Lawrence Gonzi, (born 1 July 1953) is a Maltese politician, retired Nationalist politician and lawyer, who served for twenty-five years in various critical roles in Maltese politics. Gonzi was Prime Minister of Malta from 2004 to 2013, and ...

* Sir Anthony Mamo † *

Dom Mintoff Dominic Mintoff, ( mt, Duminku Mintoff, ; often called ''il-Perit'', "the Architect"; 6 August 1916 – 20 August 2012) was a Maltese Socialist politician, architect, and civil engineer who was leader of the Labour Party from 1949 to 198 ...

† *

Joseph Muscat Joseph Muscat (born 22 January 1974) is a Maltese politician who served as the prime minister of Malta from 2013 to 2020, and as the leader of the Labour Party from June 2008 to January 2020. Muscat was re-elected as prime minister in the ...

* Dr

Giorgio Borg Olivier Giorgio Borg Olivier, ( mt, Ġorġ Borg Olivier) (5 July 1911 – 29 October 1980) was a Maltese statesman and leading politician. He twice served as Prime Minister of Malta (1950–55 and 1962–71) as the Leader of the Nationalist Party. H ...

† *Dr

Alfred Sant Alfred Sant, (born 28 February 1948 in tas-Sliema) is a Maltese politician and a novelist. He led the Labour Party from 1992 to 2008 and served as Prime Minister of Malta between 1996 and 1998 and as Leader of the Opposition from 1992 to 1 ...

*Dr Ċensu Tabone † *

Paul Xuereb Pawlu "Paul" Xuereb (21 July 1923 – 6 September 1994) was an Maltese politician who served as the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Malta from July 1986 to February 1987 and the acting president of Malta between from February 1987 t ...

† †=''posthumous award''

References

{{Maltese Honours Orders, decorations, and medals of Malta