Ella Gabaz/Wazen Agad, circa late 550s-560s. Unit (Gilt Billon, 15 mm, 0.76 g, 12 h). ✠ወዘነ-ነገሠ ('wznngs' = 'Wazen, king' in Ge'ez) Draped bust of Ella Gabaz/Wazen Agad facing, wearing tiara inlaid in gold, circular earrings and pearl necklace, with small cross over his left shoulder.
Rev. ✠ነገሠዘየዐበየለመደኀነ ('ngszyʽbylmdhn' = 'The king who exalts the Savior' in Ge'ez) Cross with central circle inlaid in gold within distyle arch. Hahn, Aksumite, 67 (
this coin cited). Hahn & Keck, MAKS, 74.3 = Vaccaro 62 (
this coin). Munro-Hay, AC, type 117 (
this coin cited). Extremely rare, just ten examples recorded by Hahn & Keck, of which eight in private hands. Edge chips and some deposits
, otherwise, very fine.
From the Dr. Stephan Coffman Collection, Maekelay-Tigray Collection, Roma E-Auction 69, 16 April 2020, 567, and from the collection Francesco Vaccaro (1903-1990).
Ella Gabaz/Wazen Agad was the first Axumite king after Aphilas (circa 310-325) to feature a facing bust on his coinage, most likely inspired by contemporary Byzantine coinage.
