| Leu Numismatik AG > Web Auction 28 | Auction date: 9 December 2023 |
| Lot number: 5326 Price realized: 1,500 CHF (Approx. 1,705 USD / 1,584 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Endybis, circa 300-310. Chrysos (Gold, 16 mm, 2.55 g, 12 h). ENΔΥBIC - ΒΑCIΛEYC Draped bust of Endybis to right, wearing tight-fitting head cloth and circular earring; to left and right, ears of barley; above, pellet in crescent. Rev. ΑξⲰΜΙΤⲰ - BICI ΔAXY Draped bust of Endybis to right, wearing tight-fitting head cloth and circular earring; to left and right, ears of barley; above, pellet in crescent. Hahn, Aksumite, 1. Hahn & Keck, MAKS, 1.180 (this coin). Munro-Hay, AC, type 1. Fresh and attractive. Light marks, otherwise, about extremely fine. From the Dr. Stephan Coffman Collection, privately acquired from Steinbergs. Endybis was the first Axumite king to strike coins, which were consciously modelled after the Roman currency introduced by Diocletian in 286 and 294. The surprising choice to place the king on both sides likely reflects the central role played by the Axumite rulers in state ideology, and may have been influenced by the Himyarite coinage of South Arabia. Starting price: 250 CHF |  |
Match 1:
| Leu Numismatik AG > Web Auction 28 | Auction date: 9 December 2023 |
| Lot number: 5419 Price realized: 150 CHF (Approx. 171 USD / 158 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Ouzebas, late 4th-early 5th century. Multiple Lepton (Gilt Bronze, 16 mm, 1.92 g, 12 h). ✠OYΛZHBAC BACIΛEΥC Draped bust of Ouzebas to right, wearing tight-fitting head cloth and circular earring; to left and right, ears of barley. Rev. ΤΟΥΤΟ ΑΡCCH TH XⲰΡΑ Draped bust of Ouzebas (or Ezanas?) to right, wearing tight-fitting head cloth and circular earring, within shallow round incuse inlaid in gold within circular border. Hahn, Aksumite, 26a. Hahn & Keck, MAKS, 37(a). Munro-Hay, AC, 54. Light deposits, otherwise, very fine. From the Dr. Stephan Coffman Collection, privately acquired from André Cichos. This is the first Axumite bronze issue to be partially gilded. Hahn & Keck (MAKS, p. 89) have suggested that the bust on the reverse may represent the deified/canonized Ezanas, as this is the only royal bust set on a gilt background after the introduction of Christianity. By underlining Ezanas' sacred status, Ouzebas, perhaps a brother of the latter, could enhance his own legitimacy and prestige. Curiously, the cross was omitted in the reverse legend, no doubt by accident. Starting price: 25 CHF |  |
Match 2:
| Leu Numismatik AG > Web Auction 28 | Auction date: 9 December 2023 |
| Lot number: 5420 Price realized: 750 CHF (Approx. 853 USD / 792 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Ouzebas, late 4th-early 5th century. Multiple Lepton (Gilt Bronze, 18 mm, 2.14 g, 12 h). ✠OYΛZHBAC CΛCIΛEΥC Draped bust of Ouzebas to right, wearing tight-fitting head cloth and circular earring; to left and right, ears of barley. Rev. ΤΟΥΤΟ ΑΡCC✠H TH XⲰΡΑ Draped bust of Ouzebas (or Ezanas?) to right, wearing tight-fitting head cloth and circular earring, within shallow round incuse inlaid in gold within circular border. Hahn, Aksumite, 26a. Hahn & Keck, MAKS, 37(a). Munro-Hay, AC, 58. An unusually well preserved example with much gilding remaining. Good very fine. From the Dr. Stephan Coffman Collection. This is the first Axumite bronze issue to be partially gilded. Hahn & Keck (MAKS, p. 89) have suggested that the bust on the reverse may represent the deified/canonized Ezanas, as this is the only royal bust set on a gilt background after the introduction of Christianity. By underlining Ezanas' sacred status, Ouzebas, perhaps a brother of the latter, could enhance his own legitimacy and prestige. Starting price: 75 CHF |  |
Match 3:
| Leu Numismatik AG > Web Auction 28 | Auction date: 9 December 2023 |
| Lot number: 5422 Price realized: 700 CHF (Approx. 796 USD / 739 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Ouzebas, late 4th-early 5th century. Multiple Lepton (Gilt Bronze, 18 mm, 1.30 g, 12 h). ✠OYΛCHCΛC CΛCIΛEΥC Draped bust of Ouzebas to right, wearing tight-fitting head cloth and circular earring; to left and right, ears of barley. Rev. ✠ΤΟΥΤΟ ΑΡCCH TH XⲰΡΑ Draped bust of Ouzebas (or Ezanas?) to right, wearing tight-fitting head cloth and circular earring, within shallow round incuse inlaid in gold within circular border. Hahn, Aksumite, 26a. Hahn & Keck, MAKS, 37(a). Munro-Hay, AC, 54. Some gilding remaining. Thick deposits, otherwise, about very fine. From the Dr. Stephan Coffman Collection. This is the first Axumite bronze issue to be partially gilded. Hahn & Keck (MAKS, p. 89) have suggested that the bust on the reverse may represent the deified/canonized Ezanas, as this is the only royal bust set on a gilt background after the introduction of Christianity. By underlining Ezanas' sacred status, Ouzebas, perhaps a brother of the latter, could enhance his own legitimacy and prestige. Starting price: 50 CHF |  |
Match 4:
| Leu Numismatik AG > Web Auction 28 | Auction date: 9 December 2023 |
| Lot number: 5423 Price realized: 420 CHF (Approx. 477 USD / 443 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Ouzebas, late 4th-early 5th century. Multiple Lepton (Gilt Bronze, 17 mm, 1.73 g, 12 h). ✠OYΛZHCΛC CΛCIΛEΥC Draped bust of Ouzebas to right, wearing tight-fitting head cloth and circular earring; to left and right, ears of barley. Rev. ✠ΤΟΥΤΟ ΑΡCCH TH XⲰΡΑ Draped bust of Ouzebas (or Ezanas?) to right, wearing tight-fitting head cloth and circular earring, within shallow round incuse inlaid in gold within circular border. Hahn, Aksumite, 26a. Hahn & Keck, MAKS, 37(a). Munro-Hay, AC, 54. The gilding nearly intact. Flan crack, otherwise, nearly very fine. From the Dr. Stephan Coffman Collection. This is the first Axumite bronze issue to be partially gilded. Hahn & Keck (MAKS, p. 89) have suggested that the bust on the reverse may represent the deified/canonized Ezanas, as this is the only royal bust set on a gilt background after the introduction of Christianity. By underlining Ezanas' sacred status, Ouzebas, perhaps a brother of the latter, could enhance his own legitimacy and prestige. Starting price: 75 CHF |  |
Match 5:
| Leu Numismatik AG > Web Auction 28 | Auction date: 9 December 2023 |
| Lot number: 5424 Price realized: 750 CHF (Approx. 853 USD / 792 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Ouzebas, late 4th-early 5th century. Multiple Lepton (Gilt Bronze, 16 mm, 2.68 g, 11 h). ✠OYΛZHCΛC CΛCIΛEΥC Draped bust of Ouzebas to right, wearing tight-fitting head cloth and circular earring; to left and right, ears of barley. Rev. ΤΟΥΤΟ ΑΡ✠CCH TH XⲰΡΑ Draped bust of Ouzebas (or Ezanas?) to right, wearing tight-fitting head cloth and circular earring, within shallow round incuse inlaid in gold within circular border. Hahn, Aksumite, 26a (this coin cited). Hahn & Keck, MAKS, 37(a) (this coin cited). Munro-Hay, AC, 54 (this coin cited). Vaccaro 29 (this coin). Nearly very fine. From the Dr. Stephan Coffman Collection, the Maekelay-Tigray Collection, Roma XXII, 7 October 2021, 40, and from the collection of Francesco Vaccaro (1903-1990). This is the first Axumite bronze issue to be partially gilded. Hahn & Keck (MAKS, p. 89) have suggested that the bust on the reverse may represent the deified/canonized Ezanas, as this is the only royal bust set on a gilt background after the introduction of Christianity. By underlining Ezanas' sacred status, Ouzebas, perhaps a brother of the latter, could enhance his own legitimacy and prestige. Starting price: 50 CHF |  |
Match 6:
| Leu Numismatik AG > Web Auction 28 | Auction date: 9 December 2023 |
| Lot number: 5418 Price realized: 220 CHF (Approx. 250 USD / 232 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | |
| Lot description: Ouzebas, late 4th-early 5th century. Multiple Lepton (Gilt Bronze, 17 mm, 1.88 g, 11 h). ✠OYΛZHBAC BΛCIΛEΥC Draped bust of Ouzebas to right, wearing tight-fitting head cloth and circular earring; to left and right, ears of barley. Rev. ✠ΤΟΥΤΟ ΑΡCЄΗ TH XⲰΡΑ Draped bust of Ouzebas (or Ezanas?) to right, wearing tight-fitting head cloth and circular earring, within shallow round incuse inlaid in gold within circular border. Hahn, Aksumite, 26a. Hahn & Keck, MAKS, 37(a). Munro-Hay, AC, 54. Some deposits, otherwise, very fine. From the Dr. Stephan Coffman Collection, privately acquired from André Cichos. This is the first Axumite bronze issue to be partially gilded. Hahn & Keck (MAKS, p. 89) have suggested that the bust on the reverse may represent the deified/canonized Ezanas, as this is the only royal bust set on a gilt background after the introduction of Christianity. By underlining Ezanas' sacred status, Ouzebas, perhaps a brother of the latter, could enhance his own legitimacy and prestige. Starting price: 25 CHF |  |
