The moneyer Antestius is only known from coins bearing the signature C. Antestius and the frequent depiction of a puppy on either obverse or reverse of his coins. The first member of the gens Antestia (sometimes Antistia on coins) to become famous was one Sextus Antistius, tribune of the people in 422 BC. During the early republic members of the gens appeared without cognomina. The most prominent branch of the gens seems to have been the Veti - various individuals bore the common praenomen Caius and were perhaps related to the moneyer of this denarius.

The significance of the puppy, a distinctive feature of Antestius' coinage, is uncertain. On the obverse the puppy is usually shown behind the head of Roma, either running upwards or downwards. On the reverse it appears below the Dioscuri, sometimes with one paw raised, or standing on its hind legs. On other denominations with prow as reverse type it appears above the moneyer's name and prow. In early Italy the dog was associated with faithfulness and respected. Dogs were used for hunting, herding, breeding, as pets or children's companions, and very young puppies in particular were favoured for sacrificial purposes.

An anonymous quadrans minted at Rome between c. 265 and 242 BC depicts a dog with one paw raised, similar in style to the depiction of the puppy on the denarii of Antestius. The reverse type of the Dioscuri with dog below also appears on victoriati from c. 206 - 195 BC and could even be the prototype for Antestius' coinage. At present the depiction of the small canine on the coinage of Antestius, either as reference to a particular historical incident concerning the Antestii, or possible allusion to the moneyer's cognomen, remains unexplained.

Obv. Helmeted head of Roma, X below chin, behind [C. AESTI].
Rev. Dioscuri on horseback, below dog, ROMA in ex.