Ezanas, circa 345-380. Argyros (Silver, 10 mm, 0.26 g, 12 h), Christian types, circa 359/60-380. ✠HZA-ИAC Draped bust of Ezanas to right, wearing tight-fitting head cloth and circular earring. Rev. ✠ΒΑCIΛЄΥC Draped bust of Ezanas to right, wearing tight-fitting head cloth and circular earring, within shallow round incuse within circular border. Hahn, Aksumite -. cf. P23 (same type but in bronze). Hahn & Keck, MAKS, 35 (this coin illustrated on p. 80 under no. 35). Munro-Hay, AC -, cf. 48 (same type but in bronze). Unique, the only example known of this fascinating type in silver. Edge chips, otherwise, about very fine.


This unique piece is the first and only known example of a Christian argyros struck under Ezanas (for Ezanas' conversion, see the note on Leu 14, 14 October 2023, 296). It replaces the ubiquitous crescent above the king's head with a cross, clearly indicating the status the new religion enjoyed. Indeed, because the type so closely follows the previously pagan argyroi, it was likely struck only shortly after the king's official conversion, making it a fascinating witness to this pivotal moment in Axumite history.