Silver Ounce 2023 Goddess Europa, Coin from Chad - detailed information

The Republic of Chad 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.

Chad has authorised some foreign mints to strike coins under its issuing authority for collector's purposes, or as bullion. 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, such as the internationally popular one troy ounce of silver format, such as this coin.

This bullion coin features Europa, after whom the continent of Europe was named.

In Greek mythology, Europa (Ancient Greek: Εὐρώπη) was a Phoenician princess of Argive Greek origin, and the mother of King Minos of Crete. The story of her abduction by Zeus in the form of a bull was a Cretan story. Europa's earliest literary reference is in the Iliad, which is commonly dated to the 8th century BC.

Supreme god Zeus was enamoured of Europa and decided to seduce or rape her, the two being near-equivalent in Greek myth. He transformed himself into a tame white bull and mixed in with her father's herds. While Europa and her helpers were gathering flowers, she saw the bull, caressed his flanks, and eventually got onto his back. Zeus took that opportunity and ran to the sea and swam, with her on his back, to the island of Crete. He then revealed his true identity, and Europa became the first queen of Crete.