Lot 4433

AR Antoninianus (Rome AD 250, 5.48 g) - Radiate and cuirassed bust right / DACIA Dacia standing left, holding staff surmounted by dragon's head (RIC 12b) - VF/XF. On the reverse the personification of Dacia, present day Romania. Dacia is holding a staff. This is usually described as a staff surmounted with the head of an ass. However, it is best identified as a 'draco', a dragon military standard adopted by certain detachments of the Roman legions from their contact with Dacian, Scythian and Sarmatian warriors.