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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Ancientnoob, post: 1637561, member: 44140&quot;]Well I have been shopping around for Coins of the &quot;Other Guys&quot; from Antiquity. In the past I have read about the Kingdom of Axum. I found the civilization obscure and unique. :hail:</p><p><br /></p><p>The kingdom of Axum in a nutshell was an isolated and independent Christian kingdom in what is now Ethiopia and Eritrea that survived from the 1st century AD to approx. the 9th century AD. They existed on equal footing with the the empires of the day. Rome, Persia and China. At some point they conquered the Himyarite Confederacy, in what is now Yemen, and absorbed the Sabean culture. They maintained strong ties with the Byzantine Empire until ultimately being cut off from trade by the Arab conquests of the surrounding area, and Axum fell into decline. The Kingdom of Axum is the proposed home of the Ark of the Covenant and the legendary home of the Queen of Sheba. The Axumite Monarchy was established based on a genealogical relationship with the King Solomon of Judea and the Queen of Sheba. </p><p><br /></p><p>I took the plunge on this coin not really knowing alot about it. The seller was remarkably knowledgeable and had a vast array of coins from all cultures. I expressed interest in this specimen and he was able to provide me some information. He showed me the same coin attributed in the British Museum Collection. He assured me the one that I had was of superb condition. Of course I would try and look around and find something similiar and hopefully cheaper. Nope. Not in this case. I found only coins in much lesser condition selling for hundreds above what he offered to sell this to me for. </p><p><br /></p><p>After comparing the image with that of the BMC I was immediately impressed. This King is one of the last Kings of Axum to mint coins and only did so in bronze and silver. The portrait of this king is remarkable and would likely be difficult to find a better example.<img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie9" alt=":eek:" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p>As I dont know alot about this type of coinage or the history that surrounds them. I would be more then happy if some one could share some more info on this coin or this ruler or even this type of coinage. I would love you guys who might have similar coins. I would like to know also what you guys would value this specimen at. I have already purchased the coin, I just like to know that I did well. <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie8" alt=":D" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p><font face="arial">King Armah&#039;s coin in the BMC.</font></p><p><br /></p><p><font face="arial">Kings of </font><font face="arial">Axum</font><font face="arial">, Armah AE20. Circa 600-640 AD. King Armah (in Ge&#039;ez), king enthroned right, holding cross scepter; three pellets to right / Let There be Joy to the People (in Ge&#039;ez), voided cross in wreath; gilt center. Munro-Hay 153; BMC Aksum 589.</font></p><p><font face="arial"><br /></font></p><p><font face="arial">My coin is 2.60g x 20mm</font></p><p><font face="arial">Bronze with Gold Gilt</font></p><p><font face="arial"><br /></font></p><p><font face="arial"><br /></font></p><p><font face="arial">The top photo is my coin the bottom photo is that of the British Museum.</font></p><p><font face="arial"></font>[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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