Silver Ounce 2022 Black Mamba, Coin from Congo, Republic of the - detailed information

The Republic of the Congo uses the Central African CFA Franc, which is a common currency of several states in Central Africa.

Apart from the regular circulating coinage - which does not bear an inscription identifying a specific issuing country - the republic has also authorised some foreign mints to issue commemorative and bullion coins under its jurisdiction. These are typically in standard bullion sizes, such as one ounce of silver (abbreviated as 1 oz Ag, where "Ag" comes from the Latin word for silver, Argentum), and carry the legend and state symbols of the Republic of the Congo. The coins are legal tender in all member states of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC: abbreviated from the French "Communauté Économique et Monétaire de l'Afrique Centrale").

This coin is the first issue in the Africa's Deadly Snakes series, and features the Black Mamba.

The Black Mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis) reaches a maximum body length of up to 4.50 meters, making it the longest venomous snake in Africa. Its name is derived from the colouring of its mouth cavity, which can vary between dark blue and jet black, while the body is olive green to greyish brown in colour. Its habitat extends from South and East Africa to Eritrea, where the northernmost occurrences have been documented.

The venom of the black mamba is a highly potent neurotoxin that can become very dangerous to humans even in small amounts, causing death within minutes. Incidents involving black mambas are relatively common, as the snake also chooses human dwellings as retreats. Compared to other venomous snakes, the black mamba is also considered more aggressive, making it the world's most dangerous and feared venomous snake.