Ella Gabaz/Wazen Agad, circa late 550s-560s. Lepton (Gilt Bronze, 16 mm, 1.28 g, 11 h). ለአሐዘበዘ✠ዐደለ ('lʼhzbzydl' = 'To please the peoples' in Ge'ez) Draped half-length bust of Ella Gabaz/Wazen Agad to right, wearing tight-fitting head cloth and circular earring, holding curved ear of barley; to inner right, four pellets. Rev. ዘወ-ዘነ-ዘነ-ገሠ ('zwznzngs' = 'Of Wazen, of the King' in Ge'ez) Cross crosslet with central circle and with X in angles. Hahn, Aksumite, 70. Hahn & Keck, MAKS, 76. Munro-Hay, AC, type 119. Minor deposits, otherwise, very fine.

From the Dr. Stephan Coffman Collection.