Maltese Personalities Series
- Third Coin (2003) in the Series: Sir Adriano Dingli (1817-1900)

In 2003 the Central Bank of Malta issued the third commemorative coin Sir Adriano Dingli in the Distinguished Maltese Personalities Series. The first coin in this series was issued in September 2001 to commemorate former Maltese Prime Minister Advocate Enrico Mizzi, whilst the second coin commemorating Maltese composer, Nicolò Isouard, was issued in November 2002.

The third coin in this series commemorates Sir Adriano Dingli, Chief Justice, who lived between 1817 and 1900. On the obverse of the coin appear the Maltese Republic Coat of Arms and the year of issue 2003. The reverse shows a likeness of Sir Adriano Dingli, the dates of his birth and death (1817-1900) and the words "Sir Adriano Dingli - Prim Imhallef" (Sir Adriano Dingli - Chief Justice).

Sir Adriano Dingli was born in Valletta on 8 October, 1817. He was the son of Sir Paolo Dingli, an eminent lawyer who became President of the Court of Appeal. Adriano obtained a doctorate in law in 1836 at the early age of 19 years.

After perfecting his knowledge of languages and law in various universities on the continent he practised as an advocate. Following the grant to Malta of the Constitution of 1849 he was elected to the Council of Government as representative of Gozo. His activity in this Council soon demonstrated his oratorical faculties and his wisdom though he never indulged in polemics. In 1854 he was appointed to the prestigious office of Crown Advocate.

He promoted the enlargement of the Grand Harbour and the building of the Market and the Royal Theatre in Valletta and the Lunatic Asylum in Attard. In 1862 he was in Turin to negotiate an extradition treaty with Italy. During his tenure of the office of Crown Advocate he evinced consummate juridical doctrine, particularly in the sphere of civil law, by drafting and promulgating in 1868 and 1873 Malta’s Civil Laws in codified form. He became the de facto Governor of Malta.

In recognition of his merits he was created Companion of the Order of the Bath and subsequently, in 1860, he was further honoured by being made Knight Commander, and in 1868 Grand Commander, of the Order of St Michael and St George. On several occasions he was entrusted to represent both the local and the Imperial Government on missions abroad, including Cyprus where the Cypriots requested that he be appointed Civil High Commissioner. He carried out these missions in a most competent and satisfactory manner. In all these activities, and on frequent occasions when his valuable advice was sought by the Government, his patriotic spirit and deep sense of social welfare were evident.

In 1880 he was meritoriously elevated to the highest judicial office in Malta by being appointed President of the Court of Appeal with the title of Chief Justice which had been abolished forty years earlier.

Sir Adriano died on 25 November 1900. A monument with his bronze bust by Antonio Sciortino was erected in the Mall, Floriana, and unveiled by King Edward VII in 1907.

The Silver Proof coin was legal tender in Malta from 14 October 2003 until 31 January 2008 for the value of Lm5. The coin design is the work of the Maltese artist Noel Galea Bason. The coin was struck at the Royal Mint, United Kingdom.

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