Israel, second half of the 570s. Lepton (Bronze, 14 mm, 0.60 g, 12 h). ነገሠየ-[ሰረ]አለ ('ngsysrʼl' = 'King Israel' in Ge'ez) Draped bust of Israel to right, wearing tiara and holding cross in his right hand. Rev. ለአሐዘበ[ሠ]ሀለ ('lʼhzbshl' = 'Mercy to the people' in Ge'ez) Cross within circular border; below, XC. Hahn, Aksumite, 47. Hahn & Keck, MAKS, 79. Munro-Hay, AC, type 144. Extremely rare, just seven examples recorded by Hahn & Keck, of which only four are in private hands. Minor smoothing and with some edge chipping, otherwise, very fine.


The extreme rarity of Israel's bronze coins may reflect a rather brief reign; in fact, his bronze coins are among the great rarities in the Axumite series today. The 'XC' on the reverse is a nomen sacrum, symbolizing Christ.