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To participate in the forum you must log in or register. | Author |
 Replies: 6 / Views: 3,008 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
A welcomed addition to the collection. A good coin from sub-Saharan Africa. Only the Kingdom of Axum minted coins in sub-Saharan Africa in ancient times. This kingdom minted coins in 3 metals. Gold, silver and bronze. I was fortunate enough to acquire a gem Axumite bronze a couple years ago of King Armah. I have been looking for a gold coin for less than a fortune. These coins are all fairly rare and most often survive only in lower grades. There are approx. 700 known Axumite gold coins, most are from South Arabia and Yemen, while the nearly all the coppers are found in Ethiopia, suggesting that the gold coin was used as trade currency with the Byzantine Empire. Axumite gold coins have been found as far away as South India, while silver and copper coins seemed to only travel as far as Judea. The copper and silver coins were most likely carried by Christian pilgrims visiting the Holy Land. While the pieces in India are almost certainly a product of sea trade with the East. The coin I acquired is from the early Christian period. Axum was the first Christian kingdom in the world, and their coins suggest Christianity was popular and later coins enphasize the King's faith. These coins replaced the old Pagan coins, and are often differentiated by the use of Greek instead of native Ge'ez, and the replacement of the crescent motif with a Christian cross. Many of the legends on these coins are only partially understood. There are numerous spellings for the same kings name, as well as places and people. These coins were generally about 1/2 the weight of the contemporary Roman Solidus. As the weight of the RS fell the weight of the Axumite gold coin did as well, by the same margin. Today these coins are referred to as a Tremisis but it is unknown what the Axumite called their coins. This coin is just a fascinating numismatic curiosity. I am really excited about acquiring this specimen. Africa, Ethiopia Kingdom of Axum AV Unit ( AD 440-470) 17 mm x 1.63 grams Obverse: Crowned and draped bust right with ribbon behind, holding stick, between wheat stalks, within beaded circle. Ge'ez legend - +nic+cËc+cËx+ËcË (interpretation uncertain - possibly King of the Habacrapes) Reverse: Draped bust right, wearing head cloth (doo rag) with ribbon behind, holding fly whisk, between wheat stalks, within beaded circle. +ccb+ËnË+baz+aza (King Ebana) Ref: MH-71  |
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Rest in Peace
United States
17900 Posts |
Absolutely amazing beauty acquired by a Numismatist with an obvious love of the history this coin represents.
My sincere congratulations.
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
I have not been able to find any Axum coins in any metal that I can afford. This is a beautiful and rare coin, congrats on accruing it.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7066 Posts |
Outstanding, Nate. Congratulations on a wonderful addition to your collection. Wow!
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
5155 Posts |
Thanks guys I was really excited about this one.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3443 Posts |
I will never forget the morning I first read the name Aksum. I nearly choked choked on my coffee ! http://www.nytimes.com/1998/01/27/w...gewanted=allAn often overlooked and all to often just plain ignored history that influenced the course of events in the world. Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
Chapter 50
Birth and education of Mahomet, A.D. 569-609.
The base and plebeian origin of Mahomet is an unskilful calumny of the Christians, who exalt instead of degrading the merit of their adversary. His descent from Ismael was a national privilege or fable; but if the first steps of the pedigree are dark and doubtful, he could produce many generations of pure and genuine nobility: he sprung from the tribe of Koreish and the family of Hashem, the most illustrious of the Arabs, the princes of Mecca, and the hereditary guardians of the Caaba.
The grandfather of Mahomet was Abdol Motalleb, the son of Hashem, a wealthy and generous citizen, who relieved the distress of famine with the supplies of commerce. Mecca, which had been fed by the liberality of the father, was saved by the courage of the son.
The kingdom of Yemen was subject to the Christian princes of Abyssinia; their vassal Abrahah was provoked by an insult to avenge the honour of the cross; and the holy city was invested by a train of elephants and an army of Africans.
A treaty was proposed; and, in the first audience, the grandfather of Mahomet demanded the restitution of his cattle.
"And why," said Abrahah, "do you not rather implore my clemency in favour of your temple, which I have threatened to destroy?"
"Because," replied the intrepid chief, "the cattle is my own; the Caaba belongs to the gods, and they will defend their house from injury and sacrilege."
The want of provisions, or the valour of the Koreish, compelled the Abyssinians to a disgraceful retreat: their discomfiture has been adorned with a miraculous flight of birds, who showered down stones on the heads of the infidels; Deliverance of Mecca. and the deliverance was long commemorated by the era of the elephant. The glory of Abdol Motalleb was crowned with domestic happiness; his life was prolonged to the age of one hundred and ten years; and he became the father of six daughters and thirteen sons.
His best beloved Abdallah was the most beautiful and modest of the Arabian youth; and in the first night, when he consummated his marriage with Amina, of the noble race of the Zahrites, two hundred virgins are said to have expired of jealousy and despair.
Mahomet, or more properly Mohammed, the only son of Abdallah and Amina, was born at Mecca, four years after the death of Justinian, and two months after the defeat of the Abyssinians, whose victory would have introduced into the Caaba the religion of the Christians.
In his early infancy, he was deprived of his father, his mother, and his grandfather; his uncles were strong and numerous; and, in the division of the inheritance, the orphan's share was reduced to five camels and an Aethiopian maid-servant. At home and abroad, in peace and war, Abu Taleb, the most respectable of his uncles, was the guide and guardian of his youth; in his twenty-fifth year, he entered into the service of Cadijah, a rich and noble widow of Mecca, who soon rewarded his fidelity with the gift of her hand and fortune. The marriage contract, in the simple style of antiquity, recites the mutual love of Mahomet and Cadijah; describes him as the most accomplished of the tribe of Koreish; and stipulates a dowry of twelve ounces of gold and twenty camels, which was supplied by the liberality of his uncle.
By this alliance, the son of Abdallah was restored to the station of his ancestors; and the judicious matron was content with his domestic virtues, till, in the fortieth year of his age, he assumed the title of a prophet, and proclaimed the religion of the Koran.I suspect the Aksumite gold found in Arabia might be related to the military operations carried out by the Ethiopians. If you read of Lawrence's interactions with the tribes during the "Revolt in the Desert" he learned on thing rather quickly. If he wanted to win friends and influence people in Arabia he needed one thing. Gold sovereigns. Without gold coins he was powerless to operate ! I too would love to find a decent bronze of the period. Sixth century would be very nice. Message me if you find any ! Edited by FVRIVS RVFVS
02/26/2016 8:40 pm
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Moderator
United States
34427 Posts |
Wow great pick up. Thanks for sharing!
"If you climb a good tree, you get a push."
-----Ghanaian proverb
"The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed."
-----King Adz
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Replies: 6 / Views: 3,008 |
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Posted 02/26/2016 4:57 pm
