Kingdom of Axum, Gersem AR Unit. Circa AD 580. Crowned and draped bust to right, holding long cross; Ge'ez legend "Gersem" around / Draped bust to right, wearing headcloth, holding long cross; Ge'ez legend "king" around. Hahn & Keck 82.46 (this coin); SACAM 525 (same dies?); H 51; AC 147; Vaccaro 65 var. (crescent and pellet on rev.). 1.14g, 16mm, 1h.

Extremely Fine; areas of flat striking, a well-detailed example of the type. Rare.

This coin cited in W.R.O Hahn and R. Keck, Münzgeschichte der AksumitenKönige in der Spätantike, Veröffentlichungen des Instituts für Numismatik und Geldgeschichte der Universität Wien Vol. 21 (2020);
From the Maekelay-Tigray Collection, reported to have been privately purchased from the Francesco Vaccaro (1903-1990) Collection.