L. LUCRETIUS TRIO SILVER DENARIUS – NEPTURE AND DOLPHIN RIDER ISSUE – STUNNING COLORED SPECIMEN NGC GRADED CHOICE XF ROMAN REPULICAN COIN (Inv. 19775)

SOLD

19775. ROMAN REPUBLIC. L. LUCRETIUS TRIO. 76/4 BC.
Silver Denarius, 4.01, 18 mm. Issue of Rome.
Obv. XIIII, laureate head of Neptune right, trident left on his shoulder. Rev. L LVCRETI TRIO, winged Genius riding dolphin right.
Crawford 390/2; Sydenham 784.
Ex Ponterio 110, 11/7/2000, lot 514, with auction tag.
NGC graded CHOICE XF, Strike 4/5, Surface 5/5, dark gray patina, with magnificent red and blue colored iridescence.

Although little is known about the moneyer L. Lucretius Trio and his immediate ancestors, the types of this coin strongly suggest a connection with the sea considering the depiction of Neptune, the Roman god of the sea, on the obverse and a dolphin ridden by a winged figure on the reverse. Although he is usually described as a “winged genius” it seems most likely that he should be identified as Eros, the god of love, who commonly appears riding a dolphin in other artworks.