Axum

King Kaleb
c. 520 CE.


Silver coin c.  520 CE.
Obverse: Draped and right facing bust of the king wearing headcloth and holding grain ear. Legend "King Kaleb" in Ge'ez..
Reverse:  Draped right facing bust of the king wearing a head cloth with cross above.  Legend "He who is Fitting for the People" in Ge'ez.
Weight: ~1.5 g Diameter: 14 mm.
Reference: Munro-Hay/Juel-Jensen 118, BMC (British Museum Collection) Aksum 414.



Gold coin. c.  520 CE.
Obverse: Crowned, draped and right facing bust of the king flanked by wheat ears in a circle. Cross above the portrait. Legend  V[I]OC QELNENA (Son of Thezena) in Ge'ez language.
Reverse:  Draped right facing bust of the king wearing a head cloth flanked by wheat ears holding a fly whisk inside a circle.  Legend outside the circle.
Weight: ~1.6 g Diameter: 17mm.
Reference: Munro-Hay/Juel-Jensen 107.   BMC (British Museum Collection) Aksum ___