Alla Amidas/Armeha, before 540-550s. Chrysos (Gold, 18 mm,

Alla Amidas/Armeha, before 540-550s. Chrysos (Gold, 18 mm, 1.61 g, 12 h). ✠ΑΛΛΑ ΑΜΙΔΑC Draped half-length bust of Alla Amidas/Armeha to right, wearing tiara and circular earring, holding spear in his right hand and with bracelets on his right arm; to left and right, ears of barley; all within circular border. Rev. ✠✠✠ABCIΛЄΥC Draped half-length bust of Alla Amidas to right, wearing tight-fitting head cloth and circular earring, holding branch in his right hand and with bracelets on his right arm; to left and right, ears of barley; all within circular border. Hahn, Aksumite, 44a. Hahn & Keck, MAKS, 69a. Munro-Hay, AC, type 115. Extremely rare, just ten chrysoi of Alla Amidas recorded by Hahn & Keck. A fresh and attractive example. Light marks, otherwise, very fine.


From the Dr. Stephan Coffman Collection.

After the reign of Kaleb, we are in the dark about many of the political developments in the Axumite Kingdom. Die links imply that Alla Amidas - which perhaps was a throne name rather than his personal name - closely followed Kaleb. Most likely, the silver and bronze coins struck in the name of king Armh ('Armeha') also belong to Alla Amidas.