Baldwin & Sons
Auction 99 4 May 2016
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
A COLLECTION OF AKSUMITE COINS, THE PROPERTY OF A EUROPEAN COLLECTOR, Endybis (c. AD 290), Gold, ENΔYBIC BACIΛEYC ('King Endybis'), draped bust right, wearing head-cloth, between wheat stalks, disc and crescent at top, rev AΞWMITW BICIΔAXY ('of the Aksumites, man of Dakhu'), type as obverse, 2.64g, 12h (AC 1; H 1). Extremely fine.
ex Numismatic Fine Arts Auction 33 (Garth Drewry), 3 May 1994, lot 329
ex CNG Auction 66, 19 May 2004, lot 1663
The Kingdom of Aksum was the only sub-Saharan African state to issue its own independent coinage in ancient times. The first issues appeared in c. AD 290, and continued until the 7th Century. Very little is known about this Kingdom and coinage is the only evidence we have for the existence of some its kings, although their dating still remains rather tentative. The Kingdom of Aksum was only the second state in the ancient world to make Christianity its official faith (Armenia was the first), and was almost certainly the first to feature the cross on its coins. It also introduced a process peculiar to its coinage: gilding, which is assumed to be hand-applied, in the central portions or features of some silver and bronze issues. This collection was formed over several years, with the aim of putting together a representative selection of good quality examples from the entire series of Aksumite coinage. It is particularly noteworthy for the fact that it contains denominations in gold, silver and copper, and this offering provides an excellent opportunity for collectors of the series.
Estimate: £500-700
ex Numismatic Fine Arts Auction 33 (Garth Drewry), 3 May 1994, lot 329
ex CNG Auction 66, 19 May 2004, lot 1663
The Kingdom of Aksum was the only sub-Saharan African state to issue its own independent coinage in ancient times. The first issues appeared in c. AD 290, and continued until the 7th Century. Very little is known about this Kingdom and coinage is the only evidence we have for the existence of some its kings, although their dating still remains rather tentative. The Kingdom of Aksum was only the second state in the ancient world to make Christianity its official faith (Armenia was the first), and was almost certainly the first to feature the cross on its coins. It also introduced a process peculiar to its coinage: gilding, which is assumed to be hand-applied, in the central portions or features of some silver and bronze issues. This collection was formed over several years, with the aim of putting together a representative selection of good quality examples from the entire series of Aksumite coinage. It is particularly noteworthy for the fact that it contains denominations in gold, silver and copper, and this offering provides an excellent opportunity for collectors of the series.
Estimate: £500-700