2 Scudi - Festing

The Sovereign Military Order of Malta occupies a peculiar position in international law — a non-territorial sovereign entity recognized by over 100 states, issuing passports, currency, and postage stamps despite holding no land. Its coinage is therefore legal tender in a jurisdiction with no geography. Matthew Festing served as 79th Prince and Grand Master from 2008 until his forced resignation in 2017 following an internal dispute with the Vatican over the distribution of condoms in Myanmar — an unusually public rupture between the Order and the Holy See.