Helena and Theodora reduced centenionales issued by the sons of Constantine I

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Soon after the death of Constantine I in May, AD 337, his three sons began an issue commemorating the two wives of the late emperor's father, Constantius I (AD 305-306). This is an enigmatic issue. The numismatic evidence (RIC viii, p. 79) indicates the series was initiated immediately after Constantine's death, before the massacre of most of Theodora's descendants during the interregnum of May-September, AD 337. This rules out that the issue was done as an act of contrition on the part of Constantine's three sons after the bloodshed. Sear (RCV v, p. 120) suggests that the issue was planned by Constantine I himself before his death as part of his plans for succession.

The entire series was produced by just three mints: Trier, in the territory of Constantine II; Rome, in that of Constans; and Constantinople, which was probably under the control of Constantius II.

These little coins are difficult to come by with complete legends and mint marks and these two are no exception. They are attributable to mint, though, unlike many AE-4s of this era, the TR indicating production by the Trier mint.

Helena was the first wife of Constantius I, the mother of Constantine I. She died about eight years before this coin was issued.


Helena, Augusta AD 324-228/30
Roman billon reduced centenionalis; 1.24 g, 13.4 mm
Trier, AD 337-340
Obv: FL IVL HELENAE AVG
diademed and draped bust, right
Rev: PAX PVBLICA, Pax standing left, holding olive branch and transverse scepter; in exergue TR S
Refs: RIC viii, p. 144, 78; LRBC I 119; Cohen 4; RCV 17492.

When the future western emperor Constantius I was advancing his career, he repudiated Helena, mother of Constantine I, to marry Theodora, the step-daughter of the then-western emperor, Maximian (AD 286-305) in order to strengthen his dynastic ties to the first tetrarchy. She bore Constantius three sons and three daughters and many grandchildren, only three of whom survived the massacre of her branch of the family by the sons of Constantine I following that emperor's death: Nepotian, Constantius Gallus, and Julian II.


Theodora, Augusta posthumously (?)
Roman billon reduced centenionalis; 1.42 g, 13.8 mm, 10 h
Trier, AD 337-340
Obv: FL MAX THEODORAE AVG, diademed and draped bust, right
Rev: PIETAS ROMANA, Pietas standing facing, head right, holding infant; in exergue TR P (+/- palm branch; off the flan).
Refs: RIC viii, p. 144, 79 or 91; LRBC I 120; Cohen 4; RCV 17500 or 17502.

 

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My Helena from Constantinople has a bust style quite different from yours.

HELENA, mother of Constantine I
AE4. 1.48g, 15mm, Constantinople mint, AD 337-340. RIC VIII Constantinople 35 (S). O: FL IVL HELE-NAE AVG, diademed and mantled bust right, wearing necklace. R: PAX PV-BLICA •, Pax standing left, holding branch and transverse sceptre; CONSЄ in exergue.

 

Nice!

 

Helena
318 to 319 AD
Mint: Thessalonica
AE Follis
Obvs: HELENA N F, bare head right, waved hair, mantled.
Revs: Laurel wreath enclosing eight pointed star.
17x18mm, 3.05g

NF means Nobilissima Femina which is a very high title also given to her daughter in law Fausta. These were only struck at Thessalonica.


Theodora
Mint: Trier
337 to 340 AD
AE 3
Obvs: FL MAX THEODORAE AVG, Bust diademed and draped right.
Revs: PIETAS ROMANA, Pietas with child.
14x15mm, 1.68g

 

My Theodora:

AE4
Trier mint, A.D. 337-340
Obv: FL MAX THEO-DORAE AVG
Rev: PIETAS ROMANA - Pietas, standing facing right, holding infant to breast
[dot]TRP[dot] in exergue
RIC (Vol.VIII) 65
15mm, 1.2g.

I had a Helena years ago that I pulled from a batch of uncleaned coins. . .

but got rid of it when I bought a nicer one from a different series:

(Bronze) AE3
Trier mint, A.D. 327-329
Obv: FL HELENA AVGVSTA
Rev: SECVRITAS REIPVBLICAE - Securitas, standing left, holding downward branch and raising pallium
[dot]STRE in exergue
RIC 515
19mm, 3.2g

 

Helena. Augusta
AE Follis
Siscia
326 AD
Diademed and draped bust of Helena right /
Securitas standing left, holding branch.

 

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Nice Helena

 

I enjoyed your article @Roman Collector.

And I enjoyed seeing all the wonderful coins in this thread.

 

Helena (324 - 330 A.D)
Æ3
O: FL HELENA AVGVSTA, Draped bust right.
R: SECVRITAS-REIPVBLICE, Securitas standing left.
Siscia Mint, 5th offcina
19mm
2.8g
RIC 218


Theodora (337 - 340 A.D.)
Ӕ4
O: FL MAX THEODORAE AVG. Laureate and draped bust right.
R: PIETAS ROMANA. Pietas standing facing right, holding child in arms; TRS Palm Branch in exergue.
Trier Mint
15mm
1.4g
RIC VIII Trier 91; Sear 17502

 

I have a Helena from an uncleaned hoard which I will not show since it is barely attributable, some very nice coins in this thread! I believe Helena founded St. Catherine's monastery/church at the bottom of Mt. Sinai. Quite a nice place to visit and climb, if you can, to the top of the mountain via the steps of repentance - 3,750 steps carved into the side of the mountain. I did and it was quite an experience.

 

These are the only Theadora and Helena coins that I have.

@Roman Collector , your coins are great, and you photography is super. Thanks for you posting.

THEODORA:

RI Theodora AE 15 337-340 CE Pietas Romana S 3911

HELENA:

RI Helena mother Constantine AE Follis Securitas Nicomedia mint 325-326 CE 19mm 3-3g RIC-95 Sear 16619

 

Some cool women around there


Helena, AE3 Heraclea mint, 5th officina
FL HELENA AVGVSTA, draped and diademed bust right
SECVRITAS REIPVBLICE, Helena standing left, holding branch and raising her dress. dot SMHE dot at exergue
2.9 gr
Ref : Cohen # 12, LRBC # 879



Theodora, AE4 Posthumous issue under the reigns of the sons of Constantine the great
Trier mint, 2nd officina
FL MAX THEODORAE AVG, draped and diademed bust right
PIETAS ROMANA, Pietas standing holding child. TRS at exergue
1.54 gr
Ref : Cohen # 4, Roman coins # 3911

Q

 

Here is my only example of a Helena coin, NRCV 3908 18.46mm 3.22 gms to follow some great coins.