Coin Highlights: Composition: Silver Weight: 1 oz Fineness: 0.999 Obverse: Features the Central Bank of Malta Crest Reverse: Depicts a beautiful, youthful Europa sitting astride and in full control of the Bull that Zeus transformed into on their journey to Crete. In this design Europa is warrior like yet still elegant. Designer: Renowned modern coin designer and engraver Jody Clark Manufacturer: Malta Minting Location: Malta Denomination: €1.50 (EURO) So beautiful Phoenician Princess Europa was said to be, the epitome of feminine beauty on Earth, she became the personification of an entire continent. So besotted was Zeus, the ruler of the Olympian gods, Greek mythology tells he transformed himself into a white bull and carried Europa away from Phoenicia to Crete. The myth of Europa and the Bull has inspired artists throughout the centuries with numerous pieces of art depict and coinage from as early as the 3rd century featuring the story. Most recently in 2002 Euro bank notes known as the ‘Europa series’ were issued featuring her portrait. Malta’s links to Europa dates back to 750 B.C when the Phoenicians (from the ancient region along the eastern coast of the Mediterranean) settled on Malta having as an ideal mid-point for their trading routes. Later from 450 B.C, the Carthaginians (from the ancient N. African city of Carthage) ruled Malta for two and a half centuries