The Republic of Cameroon uses the Central African CFA Franc as its currency; it is the common currency of six independent states in central Africa: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. The CFA Franc has both common and national issues. All common circulating coins are issued under the authority of CEMAC ("Communauté Économique et Monétaire de l'Afrique Centrale" - Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa) and have no issuing country. Separately, each member country can strike coins bearing its national symbols; these coins are legal tender in the other members of the bloc too.
Cameroon has authorised some foreign mints to strike coins under its issuing authority for collector's purposes. These are usually dedicated to historical or general popular culture themes not related to the country itself. Many of them are in standard bullion sizes, but the silver 500 Francs - such as this coin - are not; their weight is "metric" - 10 grams of silver.
The Mint says about this coin: Angels are universally a symbol of hope and guidance in the physical, human world. They are guardians who protect us from the things we cannot see while offering light in a world full of gloom. The Angel of Faith is a source of everlasting joy and strength. Cameroon, through a collaboration with the Mint of Poland, seeks to honour this heavenly figure with this gorgeous silver coin. |