Axumite Coin with 4th Century Ethiopian Emperor Ezana and Cross

 

[ Background: Emperor Ezana converted to Christianity int he 4th century AD, and ruled his kingdom under Christianity. More here, and here]

From the British Museum:

Description

Gold coin. (whole) (whole)

Half-length bust of Ezanas right, crowned, holding stick or sceptre, flanked by two wheat-stalks, the whole in a beaded circle. (obverse) (obverse)

Half-length bust of Ezanas right, wearing headcloth, holding branch (?) or stick, flanked by two wheat-stalks, the whole in a beaded circle. (reverse) (reverse)

State

Associated with: Aksumite Kingdom

Authority

Ruler: Ezanas

Cultures/periods

Aksumite

Production date

340-400 (circa) (circa)

Production place

Minted in: Aksum (town)

Africa: sub-Saharan Africa: Ethiopia: Tigray: Aksum (town)

Findspot

Found/Acquired: Yemen

Asia: Middle East: Arabia: Yemen

Materials

gold

Dimensions

Die-axis: Die-axis: 12 o'clock

Weight: Weight: 1.45 grammes

Bibliographic references

BMCAK / Catalogue of the Aksumite Coins in the British Museum (75, p.32)

Anzani 1926 / Numismatica Axumita (40)