Noe, 5th century. 3 Argyroi (Gilt Silver, 13 mm, 0.77 g, 2 h), anonymous type. BΛ X-ΛC Λ Draped male bust to right, wearing tight-fitting head cloth and circular earring, all within linear circle within thick circular border within rayed border.
Rev. ΤΟΥΤΟ ΛΡCCH TH XⲰΡΛ Cross in outline inlaid in gold within circular border. Hahn, Aksumite, 32. Hahn & Keck, MAKS, 39.134 (
this coin). Munro-Hay, AC, type 50. Somewhat rough and with minor edge chips
, otherwise, very fine.
From the Dr. Stephan Coffman Collection.
The attribution of these anonymous 3 argyroi pieces to Noe is based on the obverse legend, 'BA XAC A', which stands for 'BA XAC ABACCIN' (= 'Basileus Choras Abassinоn') or 'King of the Land of the Abyssinians', a formula first introduced in the Axumite coinage under that king.