semisses

Semisses refers to a denomination of ancient Roman coinage. The term derives from the Latin word "semis," meaning "half." Specifically, a semis was a bronze coin equivalent to half of a as, which was the basic unit of Roman currency. The as itself was originally a pound of bronze.

Semisses were typically cast rather than struck, and their appearance varied over time and with different mints. Early semisses often featured the head of a deity, such as Saturn or Janus, on the obverse (front) and a prow of a ship on the reverse (back). Later issues, particularly those from the Republican period, might display symbols like a dolphin or a wheel. The value was usually indicated by a single dot or the letter "S" on the coin.

The production of semisses began in the early Roman Republic, around the 3rd century BCE, and continued for centuries. As Roman coinage evolved and the use of silver and gold coins became more prevalent, bronze denominations like the semis gradually decreased in importance and eventually disappeared. However, they provide valuable insights into the economic history and monetary systems of ancient Rome.