Ge’ez Version of the Constantinian Motto

277, Lot: 362. Estimate $100. Sold for $100. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

AXUM. MHDYS (Matthias). Circa 420. Æ Unit (15mm, 1.25 g, 12h). Draped bust right, wearing headcloth, between two wheat stalks / Greek cross with central cavity for inlay. Hahn, Aksumite 30; Munro-Hay type 70; BMC Axum 296. VF, heavy earthen green patina.

All of the coinage of Matthias features a reverse legend that is the Ge’ez version of the famous Constantinian motto εν τούτῳ νίκα (better known in its Latin form in hoc signo vinces), or “in this sign you will conquer.” Prior to his defeat of Maxentius at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312, Constantine had a vision of either a cross or Christogram (it varies by account) along with the famous phrase. The appearance of the Ge’ez form on the Axumite coinage of Matthias was doubtless inspired by an awareness of the legend from the works of Eusebius and other chroniclers, rather than simply the appearance of of the Latin form on some 4th century Roman coinage. If Matthias, the first Axumite king to take a Biblical name, wished to be identified with Mattathias/Matthias the Maccabean (for this suggestion see Manfred Kropp , “Zum Königsnamen MHDYS der aksumitischen Münzen, ” pp. 95-99, an excursus in Hahn & Kropp, “Eine axumitische Typenkopie als Dokument zur spätantiken Religionsgeschichte, ” JfN XLVI [1996]), then the theme of religious victory would be particularly appropriate.