Aksumite Kingdom Coins

 

The Kingdom of Aksum, also known as the Kingdom of Axum or the Aksumite Empire, was centered in Northeast Africa and South Arabia from Classical antiquity (8th century BC to 6th century AD) to the Early Middle Ages (6th to the 10th century AD). The empire was based in present day Ethiopia, spanning Eritrea, northern Djibouti, and eastern Sudan and southern Arabia. Axum served as the kingdom's capital till the 9th century AD. The kingdom was one of ancient world's great powers of the 3rd century AD. 

                       

Aksum, King Ousanas, 315-325 AD, gold coin

                        

Aksumite empire's maximum extent of influence, based on p 97 of The Complete History of the World.

 

Aksumites traded with Egypt, Rome, Persia and India. Many of the twenty or so Aksumite rulers are known only from their coins. From the late third century AD, the kings of Aksum minted gold, silver and bronze coins. These were the only coins in Africa, south of the Sahara in ancient times. Artistically, the peak of coinage came under Wazeba and Ousanas (320 AD), who may have been co-rulers. With the reign of Ezana (330-356 AD), Aksum entered a new era. He was the last pagan ruler. His conversion to Christianity was reflected in his coins. The Christian cross symbol was probably used for the first time on his coins. 

                       

      The Obelisk of Axum
 

A large portion of the gold coinage was struck during the time of King Nezana and Nezool, around 460 AD. The empire reached its greatest power under Kaleb around 520 AD, who began a custom of royal names from the Old Testament.

The kingdom's slow decline began in the 7th century and currency ceased to be minted. The Persian, and later Muslim presence in the Red Sea caused Aksum to suffer economically and the population in the city shrank. The kingdom collapsed around 960 AD and Ethiopia remained isolated throughout the Middle Ages (6th to 15th century AD). The history of Aksum was largely forgotten and replaced by myths created by later dynasties.  

Coins of Aksum

                       

Aksum, King Noe, 400-425 AD, gold, weight 1.5 gm, Obverse: Crowned bust facing right surrounded by wheat grains and legend, Reverse: Capped bust facing right surrounded by wheat grains and legend

                         

Aksum, King Ousanas, 315- 325 AD, gold, weight 2.5 gm, Obverse: Crowned bust of Ousanas to right, holding spear in right hand, flanked by wheat stalks, surrounded by lettering, disc on crescent above, Reverse: Bust of Ousanas to right, wearing headcloth, holding whisk in right hand, flanked by wheat stalks, surrounded by lettering, disc on crescent above

                         

Aksum, 340-425 AD, bronze, weight 0.9 gm, Obverse: Bust right, draped, wearing head cloth ornamented on front, within circle, Reverse: Cross within circle, script Greek

                         

Aksum, King Joel, large cross, 590-615 AD, bronze, weight 1.0 gm, Obverse: Draped bust right, wearing crown ornamented with a cross, small pellet behind, Reverse: Greek cross, legend quartered, translation: joel

                         

Aksum, King Joel, 590-600 AD, weight 0.9 gm, Obverse: King Joel around crowned and draped bust facing, cross within crown, Reverse: Cross surrounded by legend ''Christ is wit us''

Aksumite Kingdom

Coinage of Aksum