ETHIOPIA, Kingdom of Axum, Anonymous AE, c.5th century AD

Obverse : CΛ X Λ CΛ (?), crowned and draped bust right, holding cross-tipped sceptre. In left field, cross.
Reverse : TOYTO APECH TH XѠPA (May this please the country), cross with gilded centre.
Munro-Hay type 76

The Kingdom of Axum was an isolated and independent Christian kingdom in what is now Ethiopia and Eritrea that survived from the 1st century to circa the 9th century AD. They existed alongside the other empires in their day, Rome, Persia and China. At some point they conquered the Himyarite Confederacy, in what is now Yemen, and absorbed the Sabean culture. Axum maintained strong ties with the Byzantine Empire until they were cut off from that trade by the Arab conquests of the surrounding area, which caused Axum to fall into decline. The Kingdom of Axum is the proposed home of the Ark of the Covenant and the legendary home of the Queen of Sheba. The Axumite Monarchy was established based on a genealogical relationship with King Solomon of Judea and the Queen of Sheba.