LVCR



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LVCR - LVCRETI - The name of Lucretius. See Lucretia gens, a family extinct in its patrician branch; but its plebian cognomen of TRIO is preserved on eleven varieties of coins; none, however, of any remarkable interest.

The following is a rare denarius; but as restored by Trajan it is trebly rare:

|I|. Head of the Sun radiated / The crescent Moon between the Triones, or constellation of seven stars L LVCRETI TRIO.

There is an elegant though by no means a scarce silver coin:

|II|. Head of Netune, behing it a trident and XXXI / Cupid riding on the back of a dolphin, which he guides with a bridle L LVCRETI TRIO.

It is evident that the seven stars, or triones, are placed on this family coin in allusion to its name. Eckhel adds, "The |symbols| of the sun and moon were, moreover, engraved on it, because those planets diffusing, as they do above all others, an abundant light, have a reference, in my opinion, to the name Lucretius."

Cupid mounted on a dolphin is a doubtful subjct on this second denarius of Lucretius. Vaillant refers to the naval |victory| of Aemilius, Praetor of Sicily; but that eminent writer carries his perspicuity so far as, from the numerals XXXI, which he sees near the head of Neptune, to gather the very number of ships captured! Quis haec refutabit? drily asks the inimaginative but sagracious Eckhel.

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