Axum

King Ousanas
c. 320-333 CE



Bronze coin. c. 320-333 CE.
Obverse: Right facing bust of the king wearing a headcloth. Crescent and pellet above, wheat grain stalks either side of the portrait. Legend  OYCANAC ΒΑCΙΛΕY (King Ousanas) in greek.
Reverse: Smaller portrait with gold inlay in a circle with legend in Greek outside the ring. Legend TOV TO
   APECH TH XWPA (May this please the country).
Weight: ~1.8 g Diameter: ~18 mm.
Reference: Munro-Hay/Juel-Jensen 54 , BMC (British Museum Collection) Aksum 245.




Silver coin. c. 320-333 CE.
Obverse: Right facing bust of the king wearing a headcloth. Crescent and pellet above the portrait. Legend  OYCANAC ΒΑCΙΛΕY (King Ousanas) in greek.
Reverse: Smaller portrait in a circle with legend in Greek outside the ring. Legend AxWMITWN BICI GICENE (Of the Aksumites man of Gisene).
Weight: ~1.8 g Diameter: 15 mm.
Reference: Munro-Hay/Juel-Jensen 26 , BMC (British Museum Collection) Aksum 27-28.



Gold coin. c. 320-333 CE.
Obverse: Bust of the king wearing a crown and a drape and holding mace. Crescent above with wheat stalks on both sides of the portrait. Legend in greek  OYCANAC ΒΑCΙΛΕY (King Ousanas).
Reverse: Right facing bust of the king wearing a headcloth. Crescent above with wheat stalks on both sides of the portrait.  Legend  AxWMITWN BICI GICENE (Of the Aksumites man of Gisene).
Weight: ~2.6g
Reference: Munro-Hay/Juel-Jensen ___?, BMC (British Museum Collection) Aksum ___?


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RK. February 5, 2010.