Kingdom of Aksum

===Coinage===
{{Main|Aksumite currency}}
[[File:KingEndybisEthiopia227-235CE.jpg|250px|thumb|Coins of king [[Endybis]], 227–235 AD. The right coin reads in Greek ΕΝΔΥΒΙC ΒΑCΙΛΕΥC, "King Endybis".]]

The Empire of Aksum was one of the first African polities to issue [[Aksumite currency|its own coin]]s,<ref name="ruperthopkins.com"/><ref name="otik.uk.zcu.cz"/> which bore legends in Geʽez and Greek. From the reign of Endubis up to [[Armah]] (approximately 270 to 610), gold, silver and bronze coins were minted. Issuing coinage in ancient times was an act of great importance in itself, for it proclaimed that the Aksumite Empire considered itself equal to its neighbours. Many of the coins are used as signposts about what was happening when they were minted. An example being the addition of the cross to the coin after the conversion of the empire to Christianity. The presence of coins also simplified trade, and was at once a useful instrument of [[propaganda]] and a source of profit to the empire.