AXUM. Joel, circa 590s-after 610. Chrysos (Electrum, 15 mm, 1.17 g, 11 h). IΗⲰξΑ ΙΛΙↃA Draped half-length bust of Joel to right, wearing tiara and circular earring, holding spear in his right hand and with bracelets on his right arm; to left and right, ears of barley; all within circular border. Rev. ✠Ι✠Λ✠Η✠Ⲱ Draped half-length bust of Joel to right, wearing tight-fitting head cloth and circular earring, holding branch in his right hand and with bracelets on his right arm; to left and right, ears of barley; all within circular border. Hahn, Aksumite, 54 var. (legends not retrograde). Hahn & Keck, MAKS, 85 var. (legends not retrograde). Munro-Hay, AC, type 128 var, (legends not retograde). Extremely rare, the seventh chrysos of Joel known and apparently unrecorded with retrograde legends. Flan crack and the obverse double struck, otherwise, fine.


The coinage of Joel in all metals exists in two distinct types, suggesting that either a coin reform of sorts took place, or that a successor continued to strike coins in Joel's name but with differentiated types. The other type in gold, known from a single example, distinguishes itself by having no inner linear borders. The king's name is biblical, referring to the prophet Joel, whose eponymous book describes how locust plagues and droughts afflicted Israel, but that repentance in the face of God would bring deliverance. Considering the declining fortunes of Axum at this time, this name would have been particularly poignant.