What are Aksumite coins?

What are Aksumite coins?

Aksumite currency was coinage produced and used within the Kingdom of Aksum (or Axum) centered in present-day Eritrea and Ethiopia. Its mintages were issued and circulated from the reign of King Endubis around AD 270 until it began its decline in the first half of the 7th century.

What were Aksumite coins made of?

Conversion to Christianity It is generally thought that the first Aksumite coins were intended for international trade. These coins, bearing the name of King Endybis (c. 270/290 C.E.), were mainly struck in gold and silver and followed the weight standard which existed in the Roman Empire.

Why did the kings of Aksum issue coins?

It is generally thought that the first Aksumite coins were intended for international trade. These coins, bearing the name of King Endybis (c. 270/290 C.E.), were mainly struck in gold and silver and followed the weight standard which existed in the Roman Empire.

How did the aksumite Empire gain money?

Aksum’s access to both the Red Sea and the Upper Nile enabled its strong navy to profit in trade between various African (Nubia), Arabian (Yemen), and Indian states. The main exports of Aksum were, as would be expected of a state during this time, agricultural products.

What is Axum religion?

Axum became the first state in Africa to adopt Christianity as its official faith and at the time was among only a handful of Christian states in the world. Roman Emperor Constantine embraced the faith in 312 A.D. Other small Christian states were scattered around the eastern Mediterranean region.

What was the first coin in Africa?

Pagan Coinage Endubis (c. 270 – 300) was the first Aksumite ruler to mint coins. Beginning in the late third century, the kings of Aksum minted gold, silver, and bronze. These were the only coins created in Africa south of the Sahara in ancient times.

What were the Aksumite innovations?

The Kingdom of Aksum is notable for a number of achievements, such as its own alphabet, the Ge’ez alphabet. Under Emperor Ezana, Aksum adopted Christianity, which gave rise to the present-day Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church.

What are the benefits of Aksumite?

Answer. Aksum’s access to both the Red Sea and the Upper Nile enabled its strong navy to profit in trade between various African (Nubia), Arabian (Yemen), and Indian states. The empire traded with Roman traders as well as with Egyptian and Persian merchants.

Who is the God of Ethiopia?

Haile Selassie I – God of the Black race Rastafarians regard Haile Selassie I as God because Marcus Garvey’s prophecy – “Look to Africa where a black king shall be crowned, he shall be the Redeemer” – was swiftly followed by the ascension of Haile Selassie as Emperor of Ethiopia.

Which country has silver coins?

Silver

What were the Aksumite coins made of?

It is generally thought that the first Aksumite coins were intended for international trade. These coins, bearing the name of King Endybis (c. 270/290 C.E.), were mainly struck in gold and silver and followed the weight standard which existed in the Roman Empire.

What did King Endubis of Aksum Mint?

Endubis (c. 270 – 300) was the first Aksumite ruler to mint coins. Beginning in the late third century, the kings of Aksum minted gold, silver, and bronze. These were the only coins created in Africa south of the Sahara in ancient times. The gold unit was one-half of the weight of the contemporary Roman aureus.

What was on the first coinage of Aksum?

Earliest Christian symbols on coinage of Aksum. In the mid-fifth century, Mehadeyis or “Matthias” (rendered as MHDYS on his coins) replaced Greek coin inscriptions with Ge’ez. On a unique gold coin reportedly found in Yemen, the crowned and standing king holds a spear and shield.

Which Aksumite ruler first minted coins?

Endubis (c. 270 – 300) was the first Aksumite ruler to mint coins. Beginning in the late third century, the kings of Aksum minted gold, silver, and bronze.