C. Antestius was a moneyer for the year 146 BC. He is not otherwise known, but many of his coins feature a puppy or dog on the design.
Gens Antestia, or Antistia, was a plebeian family at Rome. The first of the gens to achieve prominence was Sextus Antistius, tribune of the plebs in 422 BC.
The oldest families of the Antistii used the praenomina Sextus, Lucius, and Marcus. In the later Republic, members of the gens also used Publius, Titus, Gaius, and Quintus.
In 29 BC, Octavian elevated this family to the patriciate.
Gens Antestia, or Antistia, was a plebeian family at Rome. The first of the gens to achieve prominence was Sextus Antistius, tribune of the plebs in 422 BC.
The oldest families of the Antistii used the praenomina Sextus, Lucius, and Marcus. In the later Republic, members of the gens also used Publius, Titus, Gaius, and Quintus.
In 29 BC, Octavian elevated this family to the patriciate.
(1)
C. Antestius
Obverse: Helmeted head of Roma right, C•ANTESTI upwards to left, X (mark of value) below chin.
Reverse: The Dioscuri galloping right; below, puppy right with both fore-feet raised; ROMA in exergue.
Diameter:
18 mm
Die Orientation: 10 H
Weight: 3.71 g
Die Orientation: 10 H
Weight: 3.71 g
Provenance: Bertolami Fine Arts, E-Live Auction 49 (12 November 2017), lot 635.
Crawford 219/1e
(2)
C. Antestius
Obverse: head of Roma right wearing winged helmet; dog in left field; X
Reverse: Dioscuri right riding on horses, stars over pilei, each holding spear reins; C·(ANTE)STI / ROMA
Diameter:
17.5 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 3.8 g
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 3.8 g
Moneyer's ancestor was supposedly rescued from shipwreck thanks to persistently barking dog. For that reason dog appears on every issue of this moneyer.
Moneyer's family came from an ancient town Gabii in Latium.
Crawford 219/01a