Nezana/Nezool, circa 480s-500. Argyros (Gilt Billon, 14 mm, 0.67 g, 2 h). NEZΛ-[N]Λ BA Draped bust of Nezana/Nezool to right, wearing tight-fitting head cloth and circular earring; above, monogram of ነዘዐዐለ ('nzool' in Ge'ez). Rev. ΘЄ-PI - XA-OY (sic!) Cross in outline with central square inlaid in gold. Hahn, Aksumite, 40. Hahn & Keck, MAKS, 55. Munro-Hay, AC, type 80. Rare and with an unusually sharp portrait. Struck on a somewhat short flan and slightly rough, otherwise, very fine.


The reverse legend of this fascinating issue, 'ΘЄΟΥ XAPI(C)' (here somewhat blundered), translates as 'The grace of God', from which the benevolence mentioned on the gold coins flows forth.