| Axum - Home of the Ark of the Covenant? |  |
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| Aksumite Kingdom (Axum), Ebana, c. 5th century A.D. |   | Munro-Hay lists two types for Ebana, one with the reverse legend reading Ebana (type 71) and the other reading Ezana (type 72). Three variants are listed for type 72. Type 72ii is described as, "a further rare variant, reads 'Ezana', with the letter Z in the form of a crooked N." The reverse legend on this coin starts after the cross at 3:00 and ends CN/\H/\.
Monro-Hay al-Madhariba p. 94, notes all Ezana reverse legend examples in the hoard were from a single die. |
| SH28942. Gold unit, Munro-Hay type 72ii; Munro-Hay al-Madhariba p. 94, describes Ezana with cross bar on wheat stalk (al-M. 2); BMC Aksumite -, F, flan defect, rough cleaning, weight 1.583 g, maximum diameter 15.7 mm, die axis 0o, obverse +CIN+CLX+LCL+CLC (reversed, blundered Greek, interpretation uncertain), crowned and draped half-length bust of king right between two wheat stalks, wheat stalk with cross-bar or wheat stalk with short cruciform scepter in right; reverse +CLC+LCL+CCN+LHL (blundered Greek, King Ezana), draped half-length bust of king right between two wheat stalks, wearing head cloth, wheat stalk and fly-whisk? in right; cleaning scratches; rare; SOLD |
| Aksumite Kingdom (Axum), Ebana, c. 5th century A.D. |  | The P type mint mark (South Arabian letter S) on the obverse was first identified by a single example in al-Madhariba hoard, published in 1989. The coins of Ebana with mint marks appear to be the earlier issues.
On this coin the A's in the legend include crossbars (v shaped), which are missing on most Ebana coinage. This perhaps indicates this coin is from one of his very earlest issues. |
| SH28943. Gold unit, Munro-Hay al-Madhariba 288; Munro-Hay type 71, A97-99; BMC Aksumite -, gF, weight 1.592 g, maximum diameter 16.6 mm, die axis 0o, obverse +CIN+CAX+AZA+CAC (blundered Greek, interpretation uncertain), crowned and draped half-length bust of king right between two wheat stalks, wheat stalk and fly-whisk? in right, dot and P above head; reverse +BAC+ACA+CCB+ANA (blundered Greek, King Ebana), draped half-length bust of king right between two wheat stalks, wearing head cloth, wheat stalk and fly-whisk in right, dot above head; rare mintmark; SOLD |
| Aksumite Kingdom (Axum), Ebana, c. 5th century A.D. |  | The gold coins of Ebana are probably "tremisses" based on weight.
The legends of Ebana's coins are debased Greek, with a random starting point, often reversed or upside down and with L for A, H for N, and C for B and E. |
| SH28939. Gold unit, Munro-Hay type 71, JJ 65; BMC Aksumite 306, aVF, weight 1.573 g, maximum diameter 17.4 mm, die axis 0o, obverse +CIN+CLX+LCL+CLC (blundered Greek, interpretation uncertain), crowned and draped half-length bust of king right between two wheat stalks, short scepter in right; reverse +BLC+LCL+CCC+LNL (blundered Greek, King Ebana), draped half-length bust of king right between two wheat stalks, wearing head cloth, fly-whisk in right; SOLD |
| Aksumite Kingdom (Axum), Ebana, c. 5th century A.D. |  | The gold coins of Ebana are probably "tremisses" based on weight.
The legends of Ebana's coins are debased Greek, with a random starting point, often reversed or upside down and with L for A, H for N, and C for B and E. |
| SH28941. Gold unit, Munro-Hay type 71, JJ 65; BMC Aksumite 304, aVF, weight 1.527 g, maximum diameter 16.6 mm, die axis 0o, obverse +CIN+CLX+LCL+CLC (blundered Greek, interpretation uncertain), crowned and draped half-length bust of king right between two wheat stalks, short scepter in right; reverse +BLC+LCL+CCB+LNL (blundered Greek, King Ebana), draped half-length bust of king right between two wheat stalks, wearing head cloth, fly-whisk in right; SOLD |
| Aksumite Kingdom (Axum), Ebana, mid 5th century A.D. |  | The rare obverse legend variation beginning CVN was used on two obverse dies.
The cross type mint mark on the obverse was first identified in the al-Madhariba hoard, published in 1989. The coins of Ebana with mint marks appear to be the earlier issues.
The legends of Ebana's coins are debased Greek, with a random starting point, often reversed or upside down and with L for A, H for N, and C for B and E. |
| SH28938. Gold unit, Munro-Hay type 71, JJ 377 (same dies?, with CVN... obverse variation); Munro-Hay al-Madhariba 355 - 359; BMC Aksumite -, VF, weight 1.556 g, maximum diameter 16.8 mm, die axis 0o, obverse +CVN+CLX+LCL+CLC (blundered Greek, interpretation uncertain), crowned and draped half-length bust of king right between two wheat stalks, holding wheat stalk in right, small cross above head; reverse +BAC+LCL+CCC+LHL (blundered Greek, King Ebana), draped half-length bust of king right between two wheat stalks, wearing head cloth, holding wheat stalk in right; SOLD |
| Aksumite Kingdom (Axum), Ebana, c. 5th century A.D. |  | The disc and crescent type mint mark on the obverse was first identified in the al-Madhariba hoard, published in 1989. The coins of Ebana with mint marks appear to be the earlier issues.
In references, the mark over the king's head on the reverse is described as a dot. On this example it appears to be a star or cross. |
| SH28940. Gold unit, Munro-Hay al-Madhariba 249 - 257; Munro-Hay type 71; BMC Aksumite -, F, weight 1.554 g, maximum diameter 16.2 mm, die axis 0o, obverse +CIN+CLX+LCL+CLC (blundered Greek, interpretation uncertain), crowned and draped half-length bust of king right between two wheat stalks, short scepter in right, disk and crescent above head; reverse +BAC+LCL+CCB+LIL (or similar, blundered Greek, King Ebana), draped half-length bust of king right between two wheat stalks, wearing head cloth, fly-whisk in right, star or cross above head; SOLD |
| Aksumite Kingdom (Axum), Armah, Early 7th century A.D. |  | This type was likely the last coinage issued by the Aksumite Kingdom. Due to climate change and trade isolation, Aksum began to decline in the 7th century. Local history holds that a Jewish queen named Yodit (Judith or Gudit) defeated the empire, c. 950 A.D., and burned its churches and literature. There is evidence of an invasion and churches being burned around this time, but her existence is questioned by some modern authors. |
| GB28095. Bronze AE 13, Munro-Hay 153; BMC Aksum p. 46, 571 ff.; Anzani 260, F/VF, nice patina, weight 1.319 g, maximum diameter 19.3 mm, die axis 0o, Aksum mint, obverse Ge'ez legend, "King Armah", full-length crowned king enthroned right; reverse Ge'ez legend, "Let there be joy to the people", cross with with gold inlay at center, supported by stem attached to a ring, flanked by two wheat-stalks emerging from the stem; ex Colosseum Coin Exchange; SOLD |
| Aksumite Kingdom (Axum), MHDYS, c. 400 - 450 A.D. |  | A curious aspects of Axumite coinage is the use of gilding on some of the silver and bronze coins.
Aksum is the purported home of the Ark of the Covenant. According to regional tradition, the Ark is housed in the Church of Mary of Zion. The Ark, according to legends, was brought to Aksum by King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba's son and placed under guard. No one but the one guard priest is allowed in, and thus no one can verify the Ark's existence. |
| GB58754. Bronze AE 15, Munro-Hay 70, BMC Aksum 293, aVF, weight 1.005 g, maximum diameter 15.3 mm, die axis 0o, Aksum mint, c. 400 - 450 A.D.; obverse Ge'ez legend (MHDYS King of Aksum), draped bust right in head-cloth, flanked by stalks of grain, cross above; reverse Ge'ez legend (By This Cross He Will Conquer), Greek cross with gold gilding in center punch, thick inner circle border, cross above; ex Manfra, Tordella and Brooks Inc (Joseph H. Rose, 1969); SOLD |
| Aksumite Kingdom (Axum), Ousanas, c. 350 - 400 A.D. |  | Aksum is the purported home of the Ark of the Covenant. According to regional tradition, the Ark is housed in the Church of Mary of Zion. The Ark, according to legends, was brought to Aksum by King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba's son and placed under guard. No one but the one guard priest is allowed in, and thus no one can verify the Ark's existence.
According to the Kebra Nagast, when Menelik, came to visit his father in Jerusalem, his father gave him a copy of the Ark, and commanded the first-born sons of the elders of his kingdom to go to Ethiopia and settle there. The sons of the elders did not want to live away from the presence of the Ark, so they switched the copy with the original and smuggled the Ark out of the country. Menelik only learned that the original was with his group during the journey home. |
| GB32239. Bronze unit, Munro-Hay 54, BMC Aksumite 245, F, some gilding, weight 1.502 g, maximum diameter 18.0 mm, die axis 345o, obverse + OVAZEBAC BACI LEYC, draped bust right in head-cloth, flanked by stalks of grain; reverse + TOV TO APECH TH XWPA (May This [the cross] Please the Country), small draped bust right in circle; the interior of the circle gilt; SOLD |
| Aksumite Kingdom (Axum), Anonymous, Late 4th - Early 5th Century |  | Aksum is the purported home of the Ark of the Covenant. According to regional tradition, the Ark is housed in the Church of Mary of Zion. The Ark, according to legends, was brought to Aksum by King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba's son and placed under guard. No one but the one guard priest is allowed in, and thus no one can verify the Ark's existence.
According to the Kebra Nagast, when Menelik, came to visit his father in Jerusalem, his father gave him a copy of the Ark, and commanded the first-born sons of the elders of his kingdom to go to Ethiopia and settle there. The sons of the elders did not want to live away from the presence of the Ark, so they switched the copy with the original and smuggled the Ark out of the country. Menelik only learned that the original was with his group during the journey home. |
| BB48515. Bronze unit, Munro-Hay 52, BMC Aksumite 92 ff., aF, weight 0.868 g, maximum diameter 12.9 mm, Aksum mint, Late 4th - Early 5th Century; obverse Greek legend: BACI LEYC (King), draped bust right in head-cloth; reverse Greek legend: + TOV TO APECH TH XWPA (May This [the cross] Please the Country), small cross in circle; SOLD |
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