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Aksumite, AnonymousObverse: Draped bust right, wearing headcloth ('King')
Reverse: Greek cross within circle, with greek legend ('May this please the country')
Date : Circa AD 340-425
Reference : Munro-Hay Type 52; BMC Aksum 140
Grade : VF
Weight : 1.12 g
Metal : AE
Comments : 13mm, The most common of all axumite coins, they are generally attributed to King Ezana, the first Christian King of the Axumites. Part of now Ethiopia, Axum (Askum) was in the path of the ancient commercial trade routes between Africa, Arabia, and India, as a result it became a very wealth and cosmopolitan centre in the ancient world. In the second century AD, Aksum expanded its empire acquired tribute states on the Arabian Peninsula across the Red Sea, conquered northern Ethiopia, and then finally conquered Kush.
In the fourth century, King Ezana, converted to Christianity under the influence of a Syrian bishop named Frumentius and declared Axum to be a Christian state. Axum remained a strong empire and trading power until the rise of Islam in the seventh century AD, when it became cut off from its major trading partners. However, because the Axumites had sheltered Muhammed's first followers, the Muslims never attempted to overthrow Axum as they spread across the face of Africa.
Of general interest they are the only coins minted in sub saharian africa during the ancient times and one of the first nations to offically convert to Christianity and to show Christian icons on their coins.Peattie
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Anonymous (Ezanas Christian)Obverse: Bust rt. Garment draped on shoulders, v-neck collar, wearing a head cloth. Within a beaded border. Greek inscription BAX ACA (Interpretation uncertain)
Reverse: Greek cross in beaded inner circle, cross inlaid with gold. Greek inscription outside circle TOYTOAP[CHTHXWPA (May this please the country/people)
Date : AD.330-358
Reference : M-H 50, V27
Grade : EF
Weight : 0.73g
Metal : AR
Comments : 13mm, Die Axis 0°, Aksum has claims to be the first civilization anywhere to use Christian imagery on its coins. King Ezanas became a Christian early in his reign and quickly made Christianity the official state religion. Around A.D. 330 he began to use the cross on his coinage as propaganda to spread his new religion, this is type is thought to be the first of those issues.
Peattie
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ArmahObverse: King seated right in a high-backed chair holding a staff topped with a cross. Triple pellet behind the neck. Legend is divided into 2 either side of figure, King (left) Armah (right).
Reverse: Cross framed by two wheat stalks with gold inlaid hole at centre. Ge’ez legend (Let there be joy to the people).
Mint :
Date : AD. 7th C
Reference : M-H 147-8, V68
Cost : R360
Grade : F+
Weight : 2.3g
Comments : 20mm, Die Axis 0°.Peattie
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AXUM JoelObverse: Crowned facing bust
Reverse: Latin cross
Date : Circa 600
Reference : Hahn, Aksumite 61b; Munro-Hay type 134; BMC Axum 481
Grade : Near VF
Weight : 0.81g
Metal : AE
Comments : 11mm, green patina Peattie
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AXUM. ArmahObverse: Armah enthroned right, wearing crown, holding cruciform scepter
Reverse: Cross connected to ring by stem; wheat stalks emerging from ring
Date : Circa 630-650
Reference : Hahn, Aksumite 72a; Munro-Hay type 153; BMC Axum 573
Grade : Near VF
Weight : 1.85g
Metal : AE
Comments : 20mm, light deposits, flan break Peattie
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EbanaChristian kings of Aksum, Ebana
Obverse: Head and shoulders bust right, crowned with a tiara, in beaded circle. Greek legend: EB ANA.
Reverse: Central lozenge inlaid with gold, with four crosses attached to the extremities, forming a cross-crosslet with the letter of the legend interspersed between them. Greek legend: +BC+LC+IL+EY.
Date : circa CE 450
Reference : Cf. Munro-Hay (BMC) Type 74; Munro-Hay (1984) Ebana AR 1
Grade : F
Weight : 0.9 g
Metal : Silver
Acquired: 19/07/03
Comment: AR Unit,
Peattie
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Ezanas and his successorsObverse: Head and shoulder bust rt. Garment draped on shoulders, v-neck collar, wearing a head cloth and triangular ribbon behind the head. Greek inscription in two parts separated by the bust [/\[I /\[V[ (King).
Reverse: Cross in a circle, Greek legend TOVTO/\PCCHTHXWP (May this please the country
Date : c. AD 330
Reference : M-H 51-52
Grade : EF
Weight : 0.8g
Metal : AEPeattie
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Ezanas PaganObverse: Bust rt. Garment draped on shoulders, v-neck collar, wearing a head cloth and earring? Within a beaded border. Greek inscription HZA NAC (Ezanas)
Reverse: Similar to Obv. Bust enclosed in inner circle. Greek inscription ?AC IACI (King)
Mint :
Date : AD.320-325
Reference : M-H 39, V19
Grade : EF
Weight : 0.8g
Metal : Silver
Comments : AR 12mm, Die Axis 0
Peattie
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Hataz IIObverse: Bust facing forward. King crowned with a tiara. Ge’ez legend (King Hataz).
Reverse: Greek cross within a diamond shaped frame. Ge’ez legend (mercy to the people).
Date : AD. 7th C
Reference : M-H 161, V71
Grade : F
Weight : 1.51g
Metal : Copper
Comments : Die Axis ?°.Peattie
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KalebObverse: Head and shoulder in profile, "King Kaleb" (in Ge'ez), crowned bust right, cross above
Reverse: "He who is Fitting for the People" (in Ge'ez), draped bust right wearing headcloth
Mint :
Date : c. AD 475-525
Reference : M-H 111, BMC Aksum 411
Grade : F
Weight : 1.08g
Metal : AR
Comments : AE 14mm, Die Axis 0°Peattie
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KINGS of AXUM (Aksum). AnonymousObverse: King crowned and robed bust right, framed by two wheat stalks, the right wheat stalk being held
Reverse: Draped bust right, wearing headcloth, framed by two wheat stalk
Date : Circa 340-425 AD
Reference : Munro-Hay Type 63; BMC Aksum 292
Grade : VF
Weight : 1.62 g
Metal : AU
Dealer : CNG 154, Lot: 243.
Acquired: 13/12/06
Comments : 12mm, a hint of die rustPeattie
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OuazebasObverse: Bust rt. Garment draped on shoulders, v-neck collar, wearing a head cloth. Bust is flanked by 3 wheat stalks, cross above. Greek inscription not legible typically +OYAZEBACBACI/\EYC (King Ouazebas) though often incomplete or incorrect.
Reverse: Similar smaller bust to Obv. Enclosed in a circle. Area inside circle gilt. Cross at top and Greek legend outside the circle. +TOYTOAP[CHTHXWPA (May this please the country/people). Numerous variants of lettering, sometimes written upside down or backwards.
Mint :
Date : AD. 4th C
Reference : M-H 54, V29
Grade : F
Weight : 2.0g
Metal : Copper
Comments : AE 17mm, Die Axis 0Peattie
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OusanaObverse: Bust rt. Garment draped on shoulders, v-neck collar, wearing a head cloth and earring? Greek inscription OAC AHA (Ousana)
Reverse: As Obv. Greek inscription BAC IACI (King)
Date : AD.286-317
Reference : M-H 33, V12
Grade : EF
Weight : 1.38g
Metal : Silver
Acquired: 20/01/05
Comments : AR 12.5mm, Die Axis 0°Peattie
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