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   253375.                                                     Sold For $135
   KINGS of AXUM. Ezanas. Circa 300-350 AD. Æ 15mm (1.08 gm). Struck after
   his conversion to Christianity in 330 AD. BACI LEYC, draped bust right
   wearing headcloth / +TOV TO APECH TH XWPA (May This [the cross] Please the
   Country), small cross in circle. Munro-Hay 52; BMC Aksum 90. VF, dark
   green patina.
   The establishment of Christianity in Axum saw the beginning of an active
   pilgrimage traffic between Ethiopia and the Holy Land. Pilgrims traveled
   down the Nile valley and then across to Palestine and Jerusalem. The
   pilgrims of course brought their coins with them, and the overt Christian
   symbolism appealed to the local communities through which they passed. As
   a result, Axumite bronze coins and local imitations of them saw
   considerable circulation in Egypt and Palestine. They have been found at
   numerous 4th to 6th century sites, circulating alongside the regular Roman
   and Byzantine nummi. A settlement of Coptic Ethiopian monks remains in
   Jerusalem to this day, their main shrine being on the roof of the Holy
   Sepulchre church, the only location permitted them by the more numerous
   Christian sects.

Re-used by permission of CNG, www.cngcoins.com