[ 2 4 ] 
II. 
I am then fully convinced from the Samnite, or 
Samnite-Etrufcan, infcription formerly- vifible on 
the reverfe of the Dean’s very valuable denarius, 
which I fhall beg leave to confider here, that the 
true legend exhibited by my coin is Q14iH SVJ-f W, 
NI. LVFII, or LWII, MER, equivalent to NI. 
LVFIVS, or LVVIVS, MERRISS, MERRIX, or 
MEDDIX. I fay equivalent to LVFIVS, or LV- 
VIVS, becaufe the Etrufcan, or Samnite-Etrufcan, 
letter 3 is endued with the power of V (2), as well 
as that of F, even (3) on this fpecies of Samnite 
coins ; and the Samnite termination 1 1 feems fometimes 
at leaf! to have anfwered to the Roman, or Latin, IVS, 
as has been formerly obferved. Thefe points are 
clearly evinced by the authors here referred to, as 
well as others, that might, with equal facility, be 
produced. As for the elements QI41, they very 
probably reprefented the fyllable MER; nothing 
being more common than the fuppreffion of a vowel 
•between two confonants, in antient Etrufcan words, 
as I have elfe where demonftratively proved (4). To 
the inftances there mentioned I might add many 
(2) Anton. Francifc. Gor. Muf. Etrufc . Vol. II. p. 414, 
415. Philofoph. Tranfaft. Vol. L 1 I. Par. 1. p. 28 — 39. 
(3) Philofoph. Tranfaft. ubi fup. & Vol. LI. Par. II. p. 853 
— 865. Anton. Francifc. Gor. ubi fup. & alib. Sig. Olivier, 
in Sag. di Dijfertaz. di Carton. Tom. II. p. 49 — 73. & Tom. IV. 
p. 133 — 149. Philofoph. Tranfaft. Vol. L 1 I. Par. I. p. 34, 35. 
Lond. 1762. 
(4) Philofoph. Tranfaft. Vol. LXI. p. 85, 86, 87. 
others, 
