The Byzantine Empire would no longer hold imperial control over African regions after the Islamic conquest, but the Greco-Roman influences remained in its art and coins. It would start issuing its official coinage in the late third century, with coins issued for 18 rulers in gold, silver and copper. After Aksum’s conversion to Christianity during Ezana’s reign, from around 340 to 380 A.D., some silver coins included a cross. Technical studies have shown that they likely were struck locally but may have been on planchets recycled from Byzantine coins. The coinage of Africa provides evidence of the many different cultures that shaped North Africa in late antiquity.
