Resembling a Staffordshire Terrier
C. Antestius. 146 BC. AR Denarius (18mm, 3.47 g, 6h). Rome mint. Helmeted head of Roma right; X (mark of value) below chin / Dioscuri on horseback riding right; below, dog running right. Crawford 219/1e; Sydenham 411; Antestia 1. Bright surfaces with a hint of toning, small die flaw on obverse. EF. Well centered.
The collared dog below the horses, with its stocky body, short snout and curled tail, resembles the modern Staffordshire Bull Terrier. It is difficult to determine how far current breeds of canine go back in time, but many of today’s familiar breeds clearly had close analogs in the Ancient World.
