Joel, circa 590s-after 610. Argyros (Gilt Billon, 11 mm, 1.09 g, 1 h). ነገሠአዐአለ ('ngsyoel' = 'King Joel' in Ge'ez) Draped bust of Joel facing, wearing tight-fitting head cloth decorated with cross and circular earrings; to inner right, three pellets. Rev. APΕCΗ XΥ Cross with central circle inlaid in gold within circular border. Hahn, Aksumite, 57. Hahn & Keck, MAKS, pl. 15, 86.118 (this coin). Munro-Hay, AC, type 129. An unusually attractive example with a fine portrait. Minor deposits, otherwise, good very fine.


As mentioned in the note on lot 341 above, Joel's coinage exists in two distinct types, most clearly seen in the silver and bronze coinage, where the flans changed from compact, thick flans (which may have helped against deterioration) to broader, thin flans, and the busts from facing busts to busts in profile (see lot 343 below), an order suggested by overstrikes on bronze coins. This particular type saw the temporary revival of the 'TOYTO APЄCH TH XⲰPA' legend, although heavily abbreviated and with the addition of 'XY', which might stand for 'ΧΡΙCTOY', thus changing the legend to something akin to 'May the Sign of Christ please the country'.