286, Lot: 566. Estimate $300. Sold for $500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

EARLY MEDIEVAL. Axum. Lot of six (6) bronze coins. Includes: ANONYMOUS. Æ 12mm. Circa 340-425. Æ 12mm. Draped bust right, wearing head cloth / “May this please the country” in Ge‘ez around circular frame with central Greek cross. Hahn 33; Munro-Hay type 52; BMC Axum 92 // OUZEBAS. Circa 380. AE 17mm. Draped bust right, wearing headcloth, flanked by two wheat stalks; cross above / “May this please the people,” draped bust right, wearing headcloth, within gilded circle; cross above. Hahn 26; Munro-Hay type 54; BMC Axum 245-284 (3) // ANONYMOUS. Circa 440-470. Æ 16mm. Crowned and draped bust right, holding cross-tipped scepter / “May this please the country”, Greek cross within circle. Hahn 36.3; Munro-Hay type 76; BMC Axum 316-98 // WAZENA. Circa 610-630. Æ 17mm ( “Offa” type). Draped bust right, wearing headcloth, holding cross-tipped wheat stalk / Long cross-crosslet with central X. Hahn 70.2; Munro-Hay type 120; BMC Axum 420. Six (6). LOT SOLD AS IS, NO RETURNS. Fine to Near VF. Well preserved gilding on the three coins of Ouzebas coins in lot.

Munro-Hay and Juel-Jensen have argued that the reverse cross-crosslet on the last coin was the inspiration behind a penny of Offa, the king of Mercia (“Further examples of coins of Offa inspired by Aksumite designs,” NC CII, no. 5, pp. 256-7). Interestingly, a coin of this type was found by a metal detectorist near Hastings - the only known Axumite coin to be discovered in British soil.