© Vila Alsina
© Vila Alsina
Semis Anonymous 91 BC
91 BC year| Bronze | 7.85 g | 25 mm |
| Issuer | Rome › Roman Republic (509 BC - 27 BC) |
|---|---|
| Period | Republic (509 BC - 27 BC) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Year | 91 BC |
| Value | Semis (1⁄32) |
| Currency | Denarius of 16 Asses (141 – 27 BC) |
| Composition | Bronze |
| Weight | 7.85 g |
| Diameter | 25 mm |
| Thickness | 2 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-06 |
| Numista | N#112484 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 91% |
Reverse
Prow of galley right; above, denomination mark S; below, ROMA.
Script: Latin
Lettering: ROMA
Edge
Plain
Comment
Low weight is consistent with a strike around 1st century BC, approaching the ending times of the Republic.Major catalogs agree on a strike around 91 BC while the British Museum would place it around 86 BC.
Interesting fact
The Semis coin was used during a time of great change in Rome, as the Roman Republic was transitioning into the Roman Empire. In fact, the coin was minted just a few years before the death of Julius Caesar, who played a crucial role in this transition. The coin's design, featuring the image of a bust of a Roman citizen, symbolized the ideals of the Roman Republic, which emphasized the importance of the common man and the rule of law. Despite the turmoil of the time, the Semis coin remained a stable and widely used form of currency throughout the Roman Empire.
