fasces lictoriae (the 'bunch of sticks with the axe' depicted on the coin) were a symbol of power and authority under the roman empire. much, much later it became the center symbol for the italian fascist movement ('the' fascism). however, that particular symbol has been used almost everywhere - fascination with the ancient roman empire is understandable. it must be noted though that the italian fascist movement was looked at from foreign governments with a sort of curiosity and enthusiasm back then and that coin has indeed a suspicious date.
