Semis S C, Apollo

Issued under Domitian, this small bronze denomination carried the S C (Senatus Consulto) mark indicating nominal senatorial authorization over base-metal coinage — a constitutional fiction that persisted even as Domitian's relationship with the Senate deteriorated catastrophically. By 90–91 AD, the emperor had already executed several senators and was ruling with increasing autocratic severity, culminating in the "reign of terror" preceding his assassination in 96 AD. The semis itself was a shrinking presence in Roman daily commerce by this period, already fading from regular use.