Aphilas

Aphilas issued the first Aksumite gold coins, modeled on Roman and Kushan designs. These coins bore his portrait and the Aksumite cross, establishing a royal minting tradition that lasted for centuries and facilitated trade across the Red Sea.

Aphilas established a consistent system of gold, silver, and bronze coin denominations for Aksum. This standardization improved internal trade and tax collection, and made Aksumite currency recognizable in international markets.