Aphilas, circa 310-325. 1/4 Chrysos (Gold, 10 mm, 0.70 g, 12 h). ΑΦΙΛ-ΑC Β Draped half-length bust of Aphilas to right, wearing tight-fitting head cloth and circular earring, holding branch in his right hand; above, pellet in crescent. Rev. ΑCΙΛ-ЄΥC Draped half-length bust of Aphilas to right, wearing tight-fitting head cloth and circular earring, holding branch in his right hand; above, pellet in crescent. Hahn, Aksumite, P5. Hahn & Keck, MAKS, 6.3 (this coin). Munro-Hay, AC, type 7. Of the highest rarity, just three examples recorded by Hahn & Keck, of which only two are in private hands. A splendid piece with two excellent portraits. Minor nicks, otherwise, extremely fine.


Under Aphilas, the Axumites experimented with a fractional gold coinage consisting of 1/2, 1/4 and 1/8 chrysoi, likely to facilitate exchange. This was abandoned under his successors, however, perhaps due to the impractically small size of the lesser denominations.