A couple of Hadrian semisses

These are a couple of semisses that have been part of the CT community for a while. These coins once belonged to @jb_depew and to @Theodosius. I recently acquired them in @John Anthony's latest auction and I'm happy to add them to my collection.

The semis, which literally means "half" in the Latin language, was valued at half an as.


In the Roman imperial period, the semis was the smallest orichalcum denomination, having twice the value of a copper quadrans and half the value of the copper as. It was the same diameter as the quadrans, so its value resulted from orichalcum having double the value of copper. Patinated specimens can be misidentified as quadrantes.

For this reason, most early references list these two coins as quadrantes, but examples without patina demonstrate them to be made of orichalcum, and hence they have been reclassified in more recent references (i.e. RIC 2.3) as semisses.

The denomination was issued infrequently and it ceased to be after the reign of Hadrian 117-138 AD. As such, these two coins are some of the last semisses minted.


Hadrian, AD 117-138.
Roman orichalcum semis, 4.06 g, 18.1 mm, 7 h.
Rome, AD 121-23.
Obv: IMP CAESAR TRAIAN HADRIANVS AVG, eagle standing half right, head turned left, wings open but not spread.
Rev: P M TR P COS III S C, thunderbolt.
Refs: RIC 625; RIC 2.3, 624; BMC 1279; Cohen 1167; Strack 579; RCV 3704.


Hadrian, AD 117-138.
Roman orichalcum semis, 4.12 g, 18.3 mm, 6 h.
Rome, AD 124-25, possibly for use in Syria.
Obv: HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS: Bust of Hadrian, laureate, draped and cuirassed, right.
Rev: COS III S C, lyre.
Refs: RIC 688; RIC 2.3, 758; BMC 1359-61; Cohen 443; Strack 625; RCV 3701; McAlee 547a.

Let's see your semisses!

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

A truly overlooked denomination. Well done!

 

Thanks for sharing. Interesting info as well.

 

Two nice examples. I've long considered building a side collection of quadrantes and semisses, tracing the denominations from Roman Republican times through to the Antonines. It would be an interesting group.

 

I have similar coins in my collection (on the first one the eagle is facing in a different direction)


On the auction it was listed as Quadrans but I also agree this is a semis.

Hadrian AD 117-138. 18 mm., 2,52 g.
Date Range: AD 121 - AD 123
Æ SEMIS . Rome mint. Struck AD 121-122. Eagle standing facing, head right / Winged thunderbolt. RIC II 623
Obverse Legend: IMP CAESAR TRAIAN HADRIANVS AVG
Eagle standing right
Reverse Legend: P M TR P COS III // S C (in field)
Type: Thunderbolt





Hadrian AD 117-138. Rome
Semis Æ 19 mm., 3,84 g.
http://numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric.2_3(2).hdn.758
Old RIC 688
Date Range: AD 124 - AD 125
Obverse Legend: HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS
Type: Bust of Hadrian, laureate, draped and cuirassed, right, viewed from rear or side
Reverse Legend: COS III // S C (in field)
Type: Lyre

 

..kool RC...(hehheh...he said half As)

 

Nothing like Beavis and Butthead to add a touch of erudition to your numismatic explication, lol.

 

Beavis and Butthead? Who are they? Those guys in my post are Mattingly and Sydenham!!

 

One of my favorites that I never thought I would find an example of: 2 Capricorns standing on a globe. Gilt in ancient times to pass as an aureus.

RIC 711
http://numismatics.org/ocre/id/ric.3.ant.711

 

Found this one in a lot:

 

Very nice @Roman Collector.

 

I'm resurrecting this zombie thread to show off a new Hadrian semis in my collection, acquired courtesy of my Hadrian semis candyman, my connection, @John Anthony!


Hadrian, AD 117-138.
Roman orichalcum semis, 8.49 g, 23.3 mm, 6 h.
Rome, AD 125-128.
Obv: HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS, laureate and draped bust, right.
Rev: COS III, Roma seated left on cuirass, holding Victory and spear.
Refs: RIC 2.3 760; RIC 685; BMCRE 1356-57; Cohen 347; Strack 626; RCV 3700.

 

I don't have the semis but I have the corresponding as


Hadrian as, AE 23-25 mm, 7.20 g. Very elegant...

 

That patina is lovely!