Description
Aksumite Kingdom, Ebana, King of Aksum fl. 5th century AD, Gold Unit (1.53g, 12mm), circa 440-460 AD. Obverse: Draped bust of King Ebana facing to the right, wearing tiara and holding spear in right hand, ears of barley set either side, inner border and legend surrounds, “+ CΛX ⧾ ΛƆΛ ⧾ ƆΛƆ ⧾ CIϞ”. Reverse: Draped bust of King Ebana facing to the right, wearing head cloth and holding fly-whisk in right hand, ears of barley set either side, inner border and legend surrounds, “+ CΛƆ + ΛC˙Λ + ƆƆ𐐒 + ΛNΛ”. Hahn & Keck-43; Hahn, Aksumite-34. Minor die break through obverse, otherwise choice and a very imposing rendition of the type, scarce as such, struck to the weight standard of the Byzantine tremisssis, Extremely Fine.