The Sovereign Military Order of Malta occupies a peculiar position in numismatics — a non-territorial sovereign entity issuing legal tender coinage accepted nowhere in ordinary commerce, yet fully recognized under international law. Andrew Bertie, a British-born Prince and Grand Master who held the position from 1988 until his death in 2008, presided over a period of significant diplomatic expansion for the Order, which maintains observer status at the United Nations and bilateral relations with over 100 states. The .986 fineness is notably purer than most contemporary sovereign silver issues.
The Sovereign Military Order of Malta occupies a peculiar position in numismatics — a non-territorial sovereign entity issuing legal tender coinage accepted nowhere in ordinary commerce, yet fully recognized under international law. Andrew Bertie, a British-born Prince and Grand Master who held the position from 1988 until his death in 2008, presided over a period of significant diplomatic expansion for the Order, which maintains observer status at the United Nations and bilateral relations with over 100 states. The .986 fineness is notably purer than most contemporary sovereign silver issues.