Kingdom of Axum, Armah (Alla Amidas) Gilt AR Unit. Circa AD 540-560. Crowned and draped bust to right, holding cross on staff; Ge'ez letter ain (y) before; to left, wheat stalk ending in cross; Ge'ez legend "King Armah" around / Arch surmounted by cross, flanked by two long crosses, diadem(?) suspended beneath arch; Ge'ez legend "mercy and peace" around. Hahn & Keck 70.42 (this coin); SACAM 539-7 (this obv. Ge'ez letter unlisted); H 71; AC 151; Vaccaro 67. 1.24g, 17mm, 12h.
Good Very Fine; obv. crown and rev. cross and diadem inlaid with gold.
This coin cited in W.R.O Hahn and R. Keck, Münzgeschichte der AksumitenKönige in der Spätantike, Veröffentlichungen des Instituts für Numismatik und Geldgeschichte der Universität Wien Vol. 21 (2020);
From the Maekelay-Tigray Collection, reported to have been privately purchased from the Francesco Vaccaro (1903-1990) Collection.