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 Replies: 24 / Views: 7,234 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
Well I have been shopping around for Coins of the "Other Guys" from Antiquity. In the past I have read about the Kingdom of Axum. I found the civilization obscure and unique. The kingdom of Axum in a nutshell was an isolated and independent Christian kingdom in what is now Ethiopia and Eritrea that survived from the 1st century AD to approx. the 9th century AD. They existed on equal footing with the the empires of the day. Rome, Persia and China. At some point they conquered the Himyarite Confederacy, in what is now Yemen, and absorbed the Sabean culture. They maintained strong ties with the Byzantine Empire until ultimately being cut off from trade by the Arab conquests of the surrounding area, and Axum fell into decline. The Kingdom of Axum is the proposed home of the Ark of the Covenant and the legendary home of the Queen of Sheba. The Axumite Monarchy was established based on a genealogical relationship with the King Solomon of Judea and the Queen of Sheba. I took the plunge on this coin not really knowing alot about it. The seller was remarkably knowledgeable and had a vast array of coins from all cultures. I expressed interest in this specimen and he was able to provide me some information. He showed me the same coin attributed in the British Museum Collection. He assured me the one that I had was of superb condition. Of course I would try and look around and find something similiar and hopefully cheaper. Nope. Not in this case. I found only coins in much lesser condition selling for hundreds above what he offered to sell this to me for. After comparing the image with that of the BMC I was immediately impressed. This King is one of the last Kings of Axum to mint coins and only did so in bronze and silver. The portrait of this king is remarkable and would likely be difficult to find a better example. As I dont know alot about this type of coinage or the history that surrounds them. I would be more then happy if some one could share some more info on this coin or this ruler or even this type of coinage. I would love you guys who might have similar coins. I would like to know also what you guys would value this specimen at. I have already purchased the coin, I just like to know that I did well. King Armah's coin in the BMC. Kings of Axum, Armah AE20. Circa 600-640 AD. King Armah (in Ge'ez), king enthroned right, holding cross scepter; three pellets to right / Let There be Joy to the People (in Ge'ez), voided cross in wreath; gilt center. Munro-Hay 153; BMC Aksum 589. My coin is 2.60g x 20mm Bronze with Gold Gilt The top photo is my coin the bottom photo is that of the British Museum.  Edited by Ancientnoob
02/11/2013 2:47 pm
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
5155 Posts |
Sorry forgot to add the pictures of the coins....  |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2838 Posts |
Yours is better than theirs!
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
Wow! Cool thing. never heard of them but I have heard of the obelisk of Axum that was once in Rome which was dragged there from Ethiopia. Must be something to do with these guys.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
@Bobbyhelmet - Yea! Thats what I said!!
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2838 Posts |
Very interesting indeed, good addition Anoob. This is about as 'fringe' as it gets but very interesting indeed. Quote:
The Kingdom of Axum is the proposed home of the Ark of the Covenant This is one of the funniest things I've ever seen on TV, the 'ark' is kept in a small building and is so 'holy' nobody is allowed to look at it, photograph it or video it, nobody. Basically its an empty building that people worship. Nobody is able to prove or disprove it exists because nobody is allowed to look at it! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
I would also like to point out its Black History month in the US. Black, mainly Sub-Saharan African history is comparatively under studied. I think this is a good example of an indigenous African people who formed a powerful civilization. Influences dating back to the 2nd millennium BC founded a powerful civilization that lasted for 700 years. The language is similar to Greek. In the 4th century they were said to be as powerful as there contemporaries. I wish to learn more about these people.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2838 Posts |
Quote:
I wish to learn more about these people They are interesting, they have been featured on the BBC a few times in the last 5 years or so. Are you aware of the Jewish links and the genetic and linguistic remains they left? |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
Yea I was reading on wikipedia and medoraman was discussing it on the other board. Absolutely fascinating that an ancient sect of Jews came to live in Africa and hide the ark. Wild! BBC is one of if not my favorite network.
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Rest in Peace
United States
4078 Posts |
You people amaze me with your Ancient Coins. The history and your knowledge. To all of you  Edited by bpoc1
02/11/2013 4:07 pm
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
I've read about these coins and have been interestested in adding some to my collection but have never come across any. You have a nack finding very obscure and interesting coins. These are beauties, congrats on adding them to your collection.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4966 Posts |
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Moderator
Australia
16842 Posts |
Nobody else has noticed, and I don't know if the seller pointed out what "bronze with gold gilt" and "gilt center" means: the little gold blob in the centre of the cross is supposed to be there (and appears to be missing from the British Museum example). It's a tiny fleck of actual gold - these late Axumite coins are the earliest intentionally bimetallic coins known. Quote:
They existed on equal footing with the the empires of the day. Rome, Persia and China. In the worldview of the prophet Mani, founder of the Manichaean religion, there were four empires that ruled the world: the Empire of the North (Persia), the Empire of the West (Rome), the Empire of the East (either Mauryan India or Han China, nobody knows for sure anymore) and the Empire of the South (Axum). The fact that Axumite coins frequently turn up in southern India is an indication of the extent of the trading network in the ancient world and that Axum, though "isolated", was not isolationist. Quote:
I would be more then happy if some one could share some more info on ...this ruler... You have one of his coins; you therefore know as much about him as anyone else. The only reason we know for sure of his existence is that he made coins; he left no other trace in the historical record. The names, dates, lengths of reign and personal histories of most of the kings of Axum have now been lost to us. He may, or may not, have been the same Axumite emperor as "Ashama son of Abjar" mentioned in the Islamic traditions as a friend of Muslims who sheltered some of Muhammad's followers during their early persecutions in AD 615. But we simply don't know. I have an earlier Axumite silver coin, a "quinarius" of Emperor Ousanas, circa AD 320. You can see it in this really old thread. There's also a gilt-inlaid-copper from Ousanas (not mine) in this thread. Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
946 Posts |
A great coin from a great ancient culture!  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1315 Posts |
Thanks for posting this one Ancientnoob. It has expanded my knowledge for sure.
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Replies: 24 / Views: 7,234 |
Posted 02/11/2013 2:49 pm
