The numismatic chronicle and journal of the Royal ... - IndianCoins.org

74: E. A. SYDENHAM.After the year 2 B.C.the copper asses [Class I] weresupplemented by coins of brass [Classes II, III, IV] ofthe following denominations: (1) sestertius (421 grains),(2) dupondius (210-5 grains), and (3) semis (about 70grains). There can be little question that the last men-It is therefore thetioned is rightly designated a semis.earliest example of this denomination under the Empire ;and the fact of its having been introduced at Lugdunumrather than at Rome is not without interest.The fact that S-C does not occur on any of the Altarof Lugdunum series clearly indicates that the coinsare not senatorial ;and we are thus led naturally tomake some inquiry as to the exact status of the mintfrom which they were issued.The asses of Class I are quite distinct in style fromthe brass and copper of Classes II, III, IV, and V, andat the same time exhibit no very close resemblance tothe gold and silver (10-7 B.C.) with which they areactually contemporaneous. Sig. Laffranchi assignsthese asses, as well as the aurei and denarii of theof illustra-period, to the imperial mint, and by waytion places side by side examples of both.18 Althoughthere is admittedly some similarity, it is neverthelessimpossible, after a critical examination of these coins,to allow that there is identity of style. The workmanshipof the asses is generally poor, the style flat,the outline of the profile harsh, and the face is almostdevoid of modelling. The lettering isvery irregularand the obverse legends frequently are not circular.been silvered, apparently in ancient times. We may conjecturethat these were possibly treated as souvenirs of the occasion of thededication.18 Riv. it., 1913, Tav. II, 19, 20, 21, and 23, 24, 25.