AXUM. Alla Amidas/Armeha, before 540-550s. Dilepton (Gilt Bronze, 20 mm, 1.50 g, 3 h). ነገሠአ-ረመሐ ('ngsʼrmh' = 'King Armeha' in Ge'ez) Alla Amidas/Armeha seated right on low throne, wearing tiara and circular earring, holding long cross-tipped scepter in his right hand and with bracelets on his right arm. Rev. ለአሐዘበፈሠሐሰየከነ ('lʼhzbfshlykn' = 'Let there be joy for the people' in Ge'ez) Cross in outline with central circle inlaid in gold between two ears of barley sprouting from annulet below. Hahn, Aksumite, 72. Hahn & Keck, MAKS, 72. Munro-Hay, AC, type 153. Very fine.

From the Dr. Stephan Coffman Collection, privately acquired from André Chichos.