Aphilas, circa 310-325. Chrysargyros (Gilt Silver, 13 mm, 0.65 g, 12 h). ΑΦΙΛΛ - ΒΑCIΛI Draped bust of Aphilas to right, wearing tight-fitting head cloth and circular earring; above, pellet in crescent. Rev. ΑΦΙΛΑC B-ACIΛЄΥCI Draped bust of Aphilas to right, wearing tight-fitting head cloth and circular earring, set within shallow round incuse within circular border, all inlaid in gold; above, pellet in crescent. Hahn, Aksumite, 8. Hahn & Keck, MAKS, 9.60 (this coin). Munro-Hay, AC, type 10. Rare and with an exceptionally sharp and attractive reverse with near full gilding. Some cleaning scratches and with a minor flan fault on the reverse, otherwise, good very fine.


One of the most distinctive features of the Axumite coinage is the regular occurrence of gilding on silver and bronze coins (see also the introduction, p. 219), which was first experimented with under Aphilas. These chrysargyroi (so called by Hahn & Keck, from the Greek χρυσός ['gold'] and ἄργυρος ['silver']) likely had a value of a 1/24th chrysos. The gilding not only increased the value of the coins and helped set them apart from the regular silver coinage, it also underlined the king's sacred image on the reverse by placing it in a halo of gold.