AXUM. Alla Amidas/Armeha, before 540-550s. Chrysos (Electrum, 17 mm, 1.51 g, 12 h). ✠ΑΛΑ ΑΜΙδ∀C Draped half-length bust of Alla Amidas/Armeha to right, wearing tiara and circular earring, holding spear in his right hand and with bracelets on his right arm; to left and right, ears of barley; above tiara, pellet; all within circular border.
Rev. ✠✠✠VΑCIΛCIWCI Draped half-length bust of Alla Amidas to right, wearing tight-fitting head cloth and circular earring, holding branch in his right hand and with bracelets on his right arm; to left and right, ears of barley; above head cloth, pellet; all within circular border. Hahn, Aksumite, 44b. Hahn & Keck, MAKS, 69b.9 (
this coin). Munro-Hay, AC, type 116. Extremely rare, just ten chrysoi of Alla Amidas recorded by Hahn & Keck. Edge chip and with numerous flan faults and a crack
, otherwise, fine.
From the Dr. Stephan Coffman Collection, privately acquired from NBJ in December 2018.
After the reign of Kaleb, we are in the dark about many of the political developments in the Axumite Kingdom. Die links imply that Alla Amidas - which perhaps was a throne name rather than his personal name - closely followed Kaleb. Most likely, the silver and bronze coins struck in the name of king Armh ('Armeha') also belong to Alla Amidas.
