Semis

Historical Context: The Semis of Irippo, struck between 42 BC and 1 BC, dates to a critical era of Romanization in Hispania Baetica. This Romanized Iberian city issued bronze coinage under the nascent Roman Empire, transitioning from the late Republic into the Augustan Principate. Such issues highlight Irippo's integration into the Roman economic system and its administrative autonomy. These coins were vital for daily commerce, underscoring Rome's consolidating power and the gradual assimilation of local identities into the imperial framework.

Artistry: Specific engravers remain anonymous for these provincial issues. The artistic style of the Irippo Semis blends indigenous Iberian sensibilities with prevailing Roman aesthetics. The obverse typically features a laureate head, often a local deity or magistrate, sometimes echoing Augustan portraiture. The reverse commonly displays a civic emblem like a plough, symbolizing agricultural prosperity. The design prioritizes legibility and symbolic communication over intricate detail, characteristic of functional bronze coinage produced for local circulation throughout Roman provinces.

Technical/Grading: This bronze Semis, weighing 5.78 grams and measuring 20 mm, typically exhibits a robust strike. High-points on the obverse include the brow, nose, and hair, while the reverse's implement contours and legends are prominent. Provincial bronzes often show variable strike quality, including off-centering or flatness from uneven pressure. Well-preserved examples display full legends and clear design elements, though surface condition is often affected by the bronze alloy's susceptibility to corrosion.