Lot 223: Aksumite Kingdom. Anonymous. Ca. 330-370. Æ. 
AUCTION: Triskeles - Auction 18 (Auction 322)
- Sold Winning Bid: $95
- 5 Bid(s)
Aksumite Kingdom. Anonymous. Ca. 330-370. Æ (14 mm, 1.33 g, 6 h). BACI LEVC, Draped bust of king right, wearing head-cloth / + TOV TO APECH TH XWPA ('May this [cross] please the country'), Greek cross within circle. Hahn 33; Munro-Hay type 51; BMC Axum 83. Dark green patina with earthen deposits. Very fine.
From an American Collection of Biblical and Related Coinage. Ex CNG E348 (8 April 2015), 713.
A note from the collector: The Aksumite Kingdom, in Northern Ethiopia, was the homeland of the Ethiopian Eunuch mentioned in Acts 8:27-40. It seems these 4th century coin types are the earliest non-Roman coins with Christian references. Also, per local tradition, the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Aksum for safe keeping.
- Offered By: Barry P. Murphy
- Lot #: 223
- Listing #: 192641
- Closed: Tuesday, December 13, 2016 5:51:00 PM CT
- Estimate: $75