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1/2 Ꜹ Unit - Aphilas
| Issuer | Aksum |
|---|---|
| Year | 305-315 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | Log in to see details |
| Currency | Log in to see details |
| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Weight | 1.41 g |
| Diameter | Log in to see details |
| Thickness | Log in to see details |
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| Technique | Log in to see details |
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| Engraver(s) | Log in to see details |
| In circulation to | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Greek |
| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Reverse description | Log in to see details |
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| Reverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Edge | Plain |
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| Mintage | Log in to see details |
| Additional information |
Aphilas ruled Aksum in the early fourth century and is among the first African monarchs known to have struck gold coinage — a monetary ambition that placed the kingdom in direct commercial dialogue with Rome and Sasanian Persia along the Red Sea trade routes. His fractional gold issues are genuinely rare; surviving examples appear in only a handful of institutional collections worldwide.
The .900 fineness is consistent with Aksumite royal gold of this period, before later rulers debased the alloy to fund military campaigns and maintain tribute payments.