Silver Ounce 2022 Goddess Europa, Coin from Tokelau - detailed information

Tokelau, known previously as the Tokelau Islands, is a dependent territory of New Zealand in the southern Pacific Ocean. It uses the New Zealand Dollar as circulation currency, but has been issuing a variety of non-circulating coins since 1978, and has also authorised some foreign mints to issue bullion coins under its jurisdiction - including in the internationally popular silver ounce format.

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.