Crawford 390/2, ROMAN REPUBLIC, L. Lucretius Trio, AR Denarius

Rome, The Republic.
L. Lucretius Trio, 74 BCE.
AR Denarius (3.89g; 20mm).
Rome Mint.

Obverse: Laureate head of Neptune with trident over left shoulder; control-mark V, behind.

Reverse: Winged boy riding bridled dolphin to right; L·LVCRETI TRIO below.

References: Crawford 390/2; Sydenham 784; BMCRR 3247-70; Lucretia 3.

Provenance: Ex Roma Numismatics XII (29 Sep 2016) Lot 530; CNG Triton XVII, Lot 532; Archer M. Huntington (d. 1955) Collection, ANS 1001.1.24776.

L. Lucretius Trio is not known to history. His coins were attributed to 76 BCE by Crawford, but Hersh and Walker down-dated the issue to 74 BCE in their analysis of the Mesagne Hoard (ANS Museum Notes 1984). Michael Harlan proposed an even later date of 72 BCE.

The coin’s design has received various interpretations over the years. Grueber thought it referred to a naval victory by one of the moneyer’s ancestors. The use of Neptune, wearing a victor’s wreath, is clear. Crawford thought the reverse may depict Palaemon, a child sea-god who came to sailors in distress. Palaemon’s mother was Leucothia, whose name bears slight resemblance to Lucretius. Harlan believes the reverse depicts a winged Cupid gleefully playing on a dolphin, and that the coin alludes to naval victories by Lucullus over Mithridates in 73 BCE (remember, Harlan proposed 72 BCE for the issue date). Whichever interpretation is correct, it’s a charming design somewhat reminiscent of 3rd century didrachms of Taras.

The obverse dies bear control-marks, each specific to a single die.