Ella Gabaz/Wazen Agad, circa late 550s-560s. Unit (Gilt Billon, 16 mm, 0.98 g, 12 h). ✠ወዘነ-ነገሠ ('wznngs' = 'Wazen, king' in Ge'ez) Draped bust of Ella Gabaz/Wazen Agad facing, wearing tiara inlaid in gold, circular earrings and pearl necklace, with small cross over his left shoulder. Rev. ✠ነገሠዘየዐበየለመደኀነ ('ngszyʽbylmdhn' = 'The king who exalts the Savior' in Ge'ez) Cross with central circle inlaid in gold within distyle arch. Hahn, Aksumite, 67. Hahn & Keck, MAKS, 74.6 ( this coin ). Munro-Hay, AC, type 117. Extremely rare, just ten examples recorded by Hahn & Keck, of which eight are in private hands. Minor deposits and light scratches, otherwise, good very fine.
From the Dr. Stephan Coffman Collection, the Maekelay-Tigray Collection, Roma XXII, 7 October 2021, 71, and reportedly from the collection of Francesco Vaccaro (1903-1990).
Ella Gabaz/Wazen Agad was the first Axumite king after Aphilas (circa 310-325) to feature a facing bust on his coinage, most likely inspired by contemporary Byzantine coinage.
Leu, okt. 2023, lot 327, 3600 CHF (Euro 3788)
Ella Gabaz/Wazen Agad, circa late 550s-560s. Unit (Gilt Billon, 17 mm, 1.17 g, 1 h). ነገሠአከሰመ ('ngsʼksm' = 'King of Axum' in Ge'ez) Draped bust of Ella Gabaz/Wazen Agad facing, wearing tiara inlaid in gold, circular earrings and pearl necklace; to left, monogram of አገደ ('agd' in Ge'ez). Rev. ✠ነገሠ-ዘየዐበየለመደኀነ ('ngszyʽbylmdhn' = 'The king who exalts the Savior' in Ge'ez) Cross in outline with central square inlaid in gold within distyle arch. Hahn, Aksumite, 69. Hahn & Keck, MAKS, 75.109 ( this coin ). Munro-Hay, AC, type 126. A wonderful piece, very well struck and with intact gilding. Minor deposits, otherwise, extremely fine.
From the Dr. Stephan Coffman Collection.
The name 'Agad', presented as a monogram on Ella Gabaz/Wazen Agad's silver coinage, literally means 'donkey' in Ge'ez. While this may seem like a particularly unflattering name for a ruler, Christ was famously carried into Jerusalem by a donkey, and it likely had a more positive meaning than we would assume today. The reverse scene, a seemingly simplified version of the one found on the silver coinage of Alla Amidas/Armeha (see lot 323 above), may, together with the legend, refer to the gift of a piece of the True Cross by the Byzantines (otherwise also attested as a diplomatic gift), which would certainly have received a fitting shrine in Axum.
Leu, okt. 2023, lot 328, 3000 CHF (Euro 3156)
Ella Gabaz/Wazen Agad, circa late 550s-560s. Unit (Gilt Billon, 17 mm, 1.32 g, 12 h). ነገሠአከሰመ ('ngsʼksm' = 'King of Axum' in Ge'ez) Draped bust of Ella Gabaz/Wazen Agad facing, wearing tiara inlaid in gold, circular earrings and pearl necklace; to left, monogram of አገደ ('agd' in Ge'ez). Rev. ✠ነገሠዘየዐበየለመደኀነ ('ngszyʽbylmdhn' = 'The king who exalts the Savior' in Ge'ez) Cross in outline with central square inlaid in gold within distyle arch. Hahn, Aksumite, 69. Hahn & Keck, MAKS, 75.31 ( this coin ). Munro-Hay, AC, type 126. Struck from slightly worn dies and with light doubling on the obverse, otherwise, good very fine.
From the Dr. Stephan Coffman Collection, the Maekelay-Tigray Collection, Roma XXII, 7 October 2021, 74, and reportedly from the collection of Francesco Vaccaro (1903-1990).
Leu, okt. 2023, lot 329, 1500 CHF (Euro 1578)