Hemidrachm (Triobol)

Greek Hemidrachm

An ancient Greek silver coin denomination with a value of 1/2 drachm or 3 obols.

Roman Hemidrachm

The Roman "hemidrachm" (plural: hemidrachmae or more commonly hemidrachms) was a provincial silver denomination struck at Caesares in Cappadocia. It was valued at one-half of a drachm, and struck at approximately half of the drachm weight, or about 1.65-1.70 grams. They are about 14 mms in diameter.

Tiberius, Caligula, and Nero all issued Latin-inscription drachms (see drachm) from Caesarea, but not hemidrachms.

The only hemidrachms issued with Latin inscriptions were three types struck at Caesarea under Nero to celebrate the success of Corbulo in Armenia in 58 AD (the date of issue is usually taken as 59-60). All three types have the same obverse inscription "NERO CLAVD DIVI CLAVD F CAESAR AVG GERMANI" with Nero's laureate head right. All three types have the reverse motif of Victory, either seated, standing or advancing right (the first two reverses are anepigraphic, the last is inscribed "ARMENIAC". All types are rather rare.

Hemidrachms from Caesarea were issued by later Emperors, but only Nero's had Latin inscriptions.