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Search Advanced Search Search By Coin ID     Home ANCIENT/BYZANTINE Ancient Spain (872) Byzantine (753) MEDIEVAL/EARLY WORLD Germany (30) MODERN WORLD COUNTERFEITS AND IMITATIONS   Submit New Coin(s)   Sponsors page Terms of Service Contact Us About Us FAQ Page Coin Detail Click here to see enlarged image. ID:     253369      [UNVERIFIED] Type:     Ancient Africa Region:     AKSUMITE KINGDOM Issuer:     Ouazebas Date Ruled:     ca. 350-400 AD Metal:     Bronze Diameter:     18 mm Weight:     2.20 g Obverse Description:     OVAZEBAC BACI LEYC, draped bust right wearing headcloth, flanked by grain ears Reverse Description:     +TOV TO APECH TH XWPA (May This [the cross] Please the Country), small draped bust right in circle; the interior of the circle gilt Primary Reference:     Munro-Hay 54 Reference2:     BMC Aksum 245 Photograph Credit:     Classical Numismatic Group Source:     http://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=44715 Grade:     Near VF, some earthen patina. Notes:     One of the most curious aspects of Axumite coinage is the use of gilding on some of their silver and bronze coins. The amount of gold used would not be enough to significantly change the value of the coin, and the reason for this process remains somewhat a mystery. It is usually found highlighting the portrait of the king or as embellishment of the cross, so it may serve the same purpose as gold tesserae in church mosaics and gold leaf on manuscripts- to reflect the Divine Light shining on the monarch and the church.

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