CVC & Collectables presents this 76/4 BC Roman Republic L Lucretius Trio AR Denarius, certified by NGC as Choice Very Fine. A coin from early Roman Republic, also well known as the Roman Empire. The Roman Republic was not as big as it was yet it but had land in different parts of modern day Italy. The obverse has the laureate head of bearded Neptune right, with trident over shoulder; behind, control-numeral. The reverse depicts a winged boy riding on back of dolphin speeding right, holding reins with both hands. Moneyer mark in exergue in two lines.Â
Lucretius: Poet and Philosopher Lucretius, flourishing in the 1st century BCE, was a renowned Latin poet and philosopher known for his long poem “De rerum natura” (“On the Nature of Things”). This work is the most complete statement of the physical theory of the Greek philosopher Epicurus and also touches on his ethical and logical doctrines.
Life of Lucretius: Very little is known about Lucretius’s life beyond his poetry. Jerome, a leading Latin Church Father, mentioned that Lucretius was born around 94 BCE and later went insane due to a love potion, leading to his suicide at age 44. Aelius Donatus, a grammarian, noted that Lucretius died on the same day Virgil donned the toga virilis in 54 or 53 BCE, although there are contradictions in these accounts. Lucretius dedicated his poem to Memmius, possibly Gaius Memmius, who was a praetor in 58 BCE.
De rerum natura: Lucretius’s poem is divided into six books, each starting with a polished introduction. Books I and II establish the atomic universe’s principles and refute rival theories. Book III demonstrates the soul’s atomic structure and mortality, ending with a sermon on death. Book IV describes sense perception and condemns sexual passion. Book V covers the creation of the world and human evolution, while Book VI explains phenomena like thunder and lightning. The poem concludes with a depiction of the plague in Athens, contrasting sharply with its opening invocation to Venus.
Coin Highlights:
- Metal: Silver
- Grade: Choice Very Fine
- Strike: 5/5 Surface: 2/5
- Time period: 76/4 BC Roman Republic
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