| Leu Numismatik AG > Web Auction 28 | Auction date: 9 December 2023 |
| Lot number: 5387 Price realized: 750 CHF (Approx. 853 USD / 792 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | Show similar lots on CoinArchives Find similar lots in upcoming auctions on  |
| Lot description: Ezanas, circa 345-380. Chrysos (Gold, 15 mm, 1.77 g, 12 h), pagan types, circa 345-360. ΗΖΑΝΑC B-ΑCIAЄ-YC (sic!) Draped half-length bust of Ezanas to right, wearing long garment, tiara and circular earring, holding spear in his right hand and with bracelets on his right arm; to left and right, ears of barley; above, pellet in crescent. Rev. ΑξⲰΜΙΤⲰΝ B-ICI AΛЄΝЄ Draped half-length bust of Ezanas to right, wearing long garment, tight-fitting head cloth and circular earring, holding branch in his right hand and with bracelets on his right arm; to left and right, ears of barley; above, pellet in crescent. Hahn, Aksumite, 17. Hahn & Keck, MAKS, 24. Munro-Hay, AC, type 36. Very rare. Pierced twice and the flan slightly bent, otherwise, very fine. From the Dr. Stephan Coffman Collection, ex Classical Numismatic Group E-Auction 510, 23 February 2022, 870. In contrast to many Axumite kings, the reign of Ezanas is relatively well-attested, both epigraphically and in literary sources (notably due to his conversion to Christianity). The inscriptions in particular depict him as a great military leader subduing a variety of peoples surrounding Axum, and his rather grandiose titles are given as 'King of the Aksumites, Himyarites and Raeidan, the Ethiopians, the Sabaeans and Silei, Tiamo and the Beja and Kasu, King of Kings, Son of the invincible God Ares (i.e., Mahrem)' (trans. Munro-Hay 1991). His early coinage still employs pagan elements, most notably the pellet in crescent, although this was soon to change after his conversion. His reign saw another weight reduction in the gold coinage, which was now decoupled from the Roman currency. Starting price: 150 CHF |  |
