Commemorative Coin Series Depicting Distinguished Maltese Personalities
- Second Coin in the Series: Nicolò Isouard (1775-1818)

In 2002, the Central Bank of Malta issued the second commemorative coin Nicolò Isouard (2002) in the Distinguished Maltese Personalities Series. The first coin in this series was issued in September 2001 to commemorate former Prime Minister Advocate Enrico Mizzi.

The new coin commemorates Nicolò Isouard, the renowned Maltese composer who lived between 1775 and 1818.

The coat of arms of Malta and the year of issue are shown on the obverse of the coin. The reverse shows a portrait of Nicolò Isouard, the dates of his birth and death (1775-1818) and the words "Nicolò Isouard - Kompozitur" (Nicolò Isouard - Composer).

The composer Nicolò Isouard was one of the Maltese of note who reaped honour for himself and for his native country even beyond Malta’s shores. He was born in 1775. His father, Fortunato Isouard Xuereb, sent him, when still in his teens, to study at the Military College in Paris but the turmoil of the French Revolution brought about his return to Malta. Here he dedicated himself to the study of music, one of his teachers being Mro Francesco Azzopardi, the well-known ‘Maestro di Cappella’ of the Cathedral Church. Subsequently he continued his studies in music, including classical opera, in Palermo and Naples, and his first two operas ‘L’Avviso ai Maritati’ and ‘Artaserse’ were successfully performed in Leghorn.

At the behest of Grand Master de Rohan he returned to Malta and was honoured by being admitted as Donat in the Order of St. John and appointed organist, and later, in 1796, Maestro di Cappella, of the Conventual Church of St. John. During the French occupation he was appointed Commissaire of the (Manoel) Theatre.

In 1800 he returned to Paris, where he married Claudine Berthault, and there he produced, under the name Nicolò de Malte, a number of lyric operas, with French librettos, including the very successful ‘Cendrillon’ and ‘Joconde’ that ensured his fame as composer.

He died in the French capital in March 1818 and was buried in the Père Lachaise cemetry. His bust is conspicuous among other busts of illustrious composers adorning the Opéra of Paris.

The Silver Proof coin was legal tender in Malta from 1 November 2002 until 31 January 2008 for the value of Lm5. The coin design is the work of the Maltese artist Noel Galea Bason and was struck at the Royal Mint, United Kingdom with the following specifications:

Malti