Ella Gabaz/Wazen Agad, circa late 550s-560s. Chrysos (Gold, 18 mm, 1.60 g, 12 h). ✠AΛΛA ΓΑΒΑZ NΓ Draped half-length bust of Ella Gabaz/Wazen Agad to right, wearing tiara and circular earring, with bracelets on his right arm; to left and right, ears of barley; all within circular border.
Rev. ✠BA✠CI✠ΛЄ✠YC Draped half-length bust of Ella Gabaz/Wazen Agad to right, wearing tight-fitting head cloth and circular earring, with bracelets on his right arm; to left and right, ears of barley; all within circular border. Hahn, Aksumite, 45 (
this coin cited). Hahn & Keck, MAKS, 73.6 = Vaccaro 55 (
this coin). Munro-Hay, AC, type 124 (
this coin cited). Extremely rare, fifteen examples recorded by Hahn & Keck, of which only ten are in private hands. Struck from slightly corroded dies and with two scratches on the reverse
, otherwise, good very fine.
From the Dr. Stephan Coffman Collection, the Maekelay-Tigray Collection, Roma E-Auction 67, 6 February 2020, 540, and from the collection of Francesco Vaccaro (1903-1990).
As with Alla Amidas/Armeha, Ella Gabaz/Wazen Agad also utilized different names on his silver and bronze coinage. The 'NΓ' in the obverse legend of his chrysoi likely stands for 'negus' ('king' in Ge'ez).
