This coin was on order before @lrbguy posted the Helena style show recently (https://www.cointalk.com/threads/helena-style-show.316613/) with such a wonderful range of portraits. I looked at the example there from the same issue and mine shows some distinction from the example of Series 3, which was described as "band diadem with single row of dots". Mine has a pearl diadem with a row of dots (pearls?) between the two bands. Helena - AE3 Obv:– FL HELENA AVGVSTA, Diademed, draped bust right Rev:– SECVRITAS REIPVBLICE, Securitas, standing left, holding branch Minted in Alexandria (Wreath | B //SMAL). A.D. 327-328 Reference:– RIC VII Alexandria 48 (R4); LRBC 1417 I hope that you will excuse me starting a new thread for this one. I think she is worth it.
I have to admit that for these reduced folles of Helena the issues from Alexandria for the second and third series are my favorites of them all. There is a simple elegance to the reverses with the wreath in the field balancing the officina letter. And the gentleness of her face for these obverses is exceptional. Yours is a very nice example. As for the diadem differences, I see your example as two strands of pearls bound on a band. I wonder if that is the intended style and my example is a lesser variant. Let us keep looking for corroborating examples.
