Ella Gabaz/Wazen Agad, circa late 550s-560s. Chrysos (Electrum, 17 mm, 1.31 g, 10 h). ✠AΛΛA ΓΑ[ΒΑZ] ИΓ 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. Hahn & Keck, MAKS, 73. Munro-Hay, AC, type 124. Extremely rare, fifteen examples recorded by Hahn & Keck, of which only ten are in private hands. Pierced, clipped and with traces of mounting
, otherwise, nearly very fine.
From the Dr. Stephan Coffman Collection.
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).