Gersem, circa 580s. Lepton (Bronze, 17 mm, 1.52 g, 12 h). ነገሠ-ገረሰመ ('ngsgrsm' = 'King Gersem' in Ge'ez) Draped bust of Gersem facing, wearing tiara and pearl necklace; to left and right, cross. Rev. በከረሰተሰየመወአ ('bkrstsymʼ' = 'He conquers through Christ' in Ge'ez) Cross within tear shaped border decorated with four pellets. Hahn, Aksumite, 53. Hahn & Keck, MAKS, 83. Munro-Hay, AC, type 148. Some deposits, otherwise, about very fine.


Gersem's name is possibly derived from the biblical Gershom, who was the eldest son of Moses with Zipporah. Interestingly, the latter is sometimes seen as Ethiopian, based on Numeri 12:1, which states that Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses for having taken a 'Cushite' wife.