Situated on Old Mint Street in Valletta, the Old Auberge of the French Knights stands as a testament to the early years of the Order of St John in Malta. Constructed in AD 1571, it originally served as the residence of the French langue (language group) of the Order until 1588, when the group relocated to a larger auberge at the corner of South Street and Old Bakery Street.
In 1604, the building briefly accommodated the German Knights, before being repurposed as the official Mint of the Order. Here, the Order produced and regulated gold, silver, and copper coinage, making the site a crucial part of Malta’s economic and numismatic history.
Minting operations continued until 1788, when they were transferred to the Conservatoria – now known as the National Library of Malta. Following the British occupation in 1800, the Order’s coins were melted down and re-cast into British currency. Reports suggest that the mint’s machinery was later sold and shipped to India.
Today, the Old Auberge remains a symbol of Malta’s rich and multifaceted history, connecting the legacy of the Knights Hospitaller with the island’s evolving role in global affairs.
