★ Extremely Rare ★

Kingdom of Axum, Israel Æ Unit. Circa AD 570-580. Crowned and draped bust to right, holding cross; Ge'ez legend "king Israel" around / Cross within circular border; Ge'ez legend "mercy to the people" around. Hahn & Keck 79; SACAM -; H 47; AC 144; BMC Axum 554; Vaccaro 51. 0.74g, 17mm, 12h.

Very Fine; edge chipped. Extremely Rare; only seven examples cited by Hahn & Keck, three of which are in museums.

From the Maekelay-Tigray Collection, reported to have been privately purchased from the Francesco Vaccaro (1903-1990) Collection.