★ An exceptional chrysos of Noe ★

Noe, 5th century. Chrysos (Gold, 17 mm, 1.55 g, 12 h). ✠ᗺAX✠ΛCΛ✠BAC✠CIነ Draped half-length bust of Noe to right, wearing tiara and circular earring, holding spear in his right hand and with bracelets on his right arm; to left and right, ears of barley; all within circular border. Rev. ✠϶mነ✠ᗺIƆ✠IΛN✠ΛΛΦ Draped half-length bust of Noe to right, wearing tight-fitting head cloth and circular earring, holding branch in his right hand and with bracelets on his right arm; to left and right, ears of barley; all within circular border. Hahn, Aksumite, 28. Hahn & Keck, MAKS, 38. Munro-Hay, AC, 59. A beautiful and fresh piece with a very attractive obverse. Minor die wear, otherwise, extremely fine.

From the Dr. Stephan Coffman Collection.

While nothing is known of his reign, Noe is interesting for being the first Axumite king to employ a biblical name (Noah) on his coinage. The obverse legend names him 'BA XAC ABACCIN' or ' Ba sileus Ch or as Abassin о̄n', which translates as 'King of the Land of the Abyssinians', a formula in common use on the Axumite gold coinage afterwards.