10 Scudi - Andrew Bertie

The Sovereign Military Order of Malta occupies a singular position in international law: a sovereign entity without territory, recognized by over 100 states, issuing coins with no circulation function whatsoever. Andrew Bertie, the 78th Grand Master, was the first British-born holder of that office since the sixteenth century and served from 1988 until his death in 2008. SMOM coinage from this period was struck in small quantities for collectors and diplomatic exchange, not commerce — the Order has had no monetary territory since the loss of Malta to Napoleon in 1798.