Copper Alloy Coin of Wazena, Aksum, 520–570. 2008.63.158

Physical Description

• Measurements

  • Weight (in gr.): 1.007
  • Diameter (in mm): 16

• Conservation State

  • Description: Green patina

Typological Description

• Object Type: Coin
• Date Range: 520 - 570
• Material: Copper Alloy

• Authority

  • Authority: Wazena
  • Authority: Axum

• Geographic

  • Region: East Africa
  • Region: Ethiopia
  • Place of Production: Aksum

References

• Reference: M-H type 122
• Reference: BMC.not(414-437; nos. 430 and 435, type 118, and no. 422, type 121, are of varietiess that have the small cross on the upper r. obv., like the ANS piece) (Uncertain value)

Administrative History

• Identifier: 2008.63.158
• Lot: 2008.63
• Department: Islamic
• Collection: American Numismatic Society

• Provenance

  • Lhotka, John F., Jr.
  • ex Thomas Ollive Mabbott coll., H.M.F. Schulman x1969, lot 5117 (original envelope tag)

Description

ca. AD 525? There are many slight variations in this relatively abundant issue of King Wazena, including types that have differing placement of where the top of the wheat stalk held by the king breaks the obv. legend, types where the top of the wheat stalk is in the form of a cross, and types featuring a cross “+” within the legend; with these variations are combined auxiliary symbols: a pellet, a group of two or three pellets, a crescent, a small cross, or a disk. The symbols appear at several different places in the obv. field, often near the king’s forehead, or his chin, or behind his neck. This specimen has an attractive solid green patina, which contrasts pleasantly with the pellet of gold inlay on the rev.

Rights

• CopyrightHolder: American Numismatic Society
• License: Public Domain Mark (images)
• Rights: No Copyright - United States