Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1273535
9 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 29 JULY 2020 NEWS IN the wake of the Covid-19 World pandemic, the Valletta Grand Prix Foundation regrets to announce that the 2020 edi- tion of the Classic Car event taking place between the 8th – 11th October has been can- celled. Malta Classic is a staple and national event involving months of intricate timescale logistical planning and de- pendent on volunteers, spon- sors, partners as well as travel arrangements for its overseas drivers. 2020 will be the first year the annual event will not be taking place since 2008. "Attracting thousands of vintage car racing enthusiasts each year, the Malta Classic committee has ensured 12 seamless annual events with the health and safety of drivers and its patrons at the core of its operations, and continues to do so with this decision," Karen Zammit Southernwood, Secre- tary for Malta Classic has said. "Whilst the effects and after- math of the COVID-19 virus has called for the cancellation of 2020's edition, our com- mittee members, volunteers and third parties are working on the most thrilling edition yet for its drivers, patrons and spectators alike for Malta Clas- sic 2021." Malta Classic today an- nounced that the 2021 of the 4 day national event is scheduled to be back on the road between the 7th and 10th of October. An exclusive Ferrari Dino 206SP has been confirmed for the edition amongst other sought after classic cars to be announced in the run up to 2021. Malta Classic back on the road in 2021 THE Malta Coin Centre (MCC) of the Central Bank of Malta has launched two numismatic coin issues, one in silver marking the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II, and a commemorative €2 coin depicting the prehistoric temples of Skorba. The Bank also issued its 2020 coin set which includes eight Maltese euro coins dated 2020 and the €2 Skorba coin. The World War II coins depict three Gloster Gladiator bi-planes in flight over the Maltese islands. The artist – Noel Galea Bason – chose these legendary air- craft – dubbed Faith, Hope and Charity – as they epitomise Malta's unequal fight against the might of the Axis forces, and remain one of the enduring symbols of Malta's wartime experience. The coins, which have a face value of €10, are limited to 2,000 pieces and were minted by the Royal Dutch Mint. The coins are on sale for €65. The Skorba coin is the fifth in a se- ries of seven coins dedicated to Malta's unique prehistoric sites. The UNESCO World Heritage Site, found in the ham- let of Żebbiegħ at the limits of Mġarr, are believed to date to around 3,500 BC but were built on top of an earlier settlement dating to around 5,000 BC. These coins were struck in circula- tion quality at the Monnaie de Paris in France, with the temple side designed by Galea Bason. The issue is limited to 170,000 coins, of which 150,000 will be issued in rolls and 20,000 will be availa- ble in cards. The cost of a roll of 25 coins is €70, while that of a coin card is €7. The eight Maltese euro coins dated 2020 and the €2 Skorba coin, all in bril- liant uncirculated quality, are now avail- able for €26. The sets – which are limited to 10,000 – were struck at the Monnaie de Paris in France and are presented in an attractive blister pack. Customers can visit the MCC counter at the main building of the Central Bank of Malta, Castille Place, Valletta, which is open Mondays to Fridays from 8.00am to noon, excluding public holidays. Further information is available from the Malta Coin Centre via email on mcc@centralbankmalta.org or by calling on (+356) 2550 6006/7/8. Gloster Gladiators and Skorba themes chosen for numismatic issues