Lot 10019 – Kingdom of Aksum, Endybis c. 300-310, AV 2.72 g.

Kingdom of Aksum, Endybis c. 300-310, AV 2.72 g. (17 mm). Obverse: draped bust of Endybis to right, wearing tight-fitting head cloth and circular earring; to left and right, ears of barley, above, pellet in crescent, latin legend ENΔΥBIC – ΒΑCIΛEYC, Kind Endybius. Reverse: draped bust of Endybis to right, wearing tight-fitting head cloth and circular earring; to left and right, ears of barley, above, pellet in crescent, Greek legend ΑξⲰΜΙΤⲰ – BICI ΔAXY, ‘of the Aksumites, man of Daku’.

EF, lustrous surfaces, some weakness on the reverse strike.

A choice specimen of the gold coin of ruler Endybis, the first Aksumn ruler to produce coins. Clearly modelled on Roman coinage, Endybis’ coin deviated from convention by depicting the ruler on both obverse and reverse.

Ex Chand Collection