Hethasas/Hataza, circa 610s-630s. Lepton (Bronze, 16 mm, 1.05 g, 5 h), before 620 (?). Draped bust of Hethasas/Hataza facing, wearing tight-fitting head cloth and circular earrings; to inner, left and right, two large crosses; to left and right, ears of barley. Rev. ሐተዘነገሠአከሰመ ('htzngsʼksm' = 'Hataza, king of Axum' in Ge'ez) Cross within octagonal border. Hahn, Aksumite, 66. Hahn & Keck, MAKS, 94. Munro-Hay, AC, type 140. Light cleaning scratches on the obverse, otherwise, very fine.


Hahn & Keck have suggested that the short term restoration of Egypt to Byzantine control in 630 may have prompted the Axumites to resume coin production, though only of billon argyroi and bronze lepta, which may have continued posthumously after Hethasas/Hataza's reign.