Well, not entirely down to condition (especially on the so-so reverse), but the bust of Helena on the obverse is striking. Looking though images of different versions of this coin I must say there are a lot out there that are quite cartoonish and probably did her no justice. The example I have (thanks again @Victor_Clark) is lifelike and simple. There are so many that show her hair as an absolute mess or give her a gigantic eye or get lost trying to show too much detail in relief. My favorite of my small collection.
Thanks for posting that. Very nice. I have one that I have been trying to attribute using yours for a guide I might have some luck.
because it has a cross in the left field, it has to be Trier -- RIC VIII Trier 42, struck A.D. 337- 340.
HELENA: RI Helena mother Constantine AE Follis Securitas Nicomedia mint 325-326 CE 19mm 3.3g RIC-95 Sear 16619
Helena, Treveri, 326 AD, (AE 19mm, 2.25g), Diademed and draped bust of Helena right/ Rev. Securitas standing facing, head l., holding branch, RIC 481 From the Cardinal Meisner (1933-2017) Collection.
I have long had a soft spot for Lugdunum that I cannot explain. The portrait style of Helena there is quite appealing The Trier ones range from the elaborate hairstyles like those above to a more simple one like mine below For this Alexandrian one it was the nice style, quality of engraving and wear pattern that left this partially silvered example still have eye appeal
Helena coins are fun. I bought a couple medium sized lots of her coins a couple years ago and despite the problems, I couldn't help but be drawn to this one from Rome Considering that Helena would have been at least in her seventies when she first appeared on coins, I figured this one likely portrayed a slightly less idealized version of the empress. I also have a couple posthumous issues, but apparently only one imaged, from Cyzicus Posthumous reduced coins are a *lot* hardee to find in pristine condition!
I am struggling to identify the mint for mine, trying to find a match on Wildwinds, etc etc. The mark itself is mostly gone but the necklace and hair design would seem to be diagnostic. Perhaps I've gone blind looking at too many options. Close-up of mintmark on same coin: It really does look as absent as this picture shows.
Killingholme Hoard (Trier Mint) - 324 to 325 O: Helena diademed bust right - FL HELENA AVGVSTVA R: Securitas standing left - SECVRITAS REIPVBLICE
I have but one Helena - by the standards of my collection, it is fairly nice. Helena Æ Follis (328-329 A.D.) Siscia Mint (Series 4) FL HELENA AVGVSTA, diademed, mantled bust right / SECVRITAS REIPVBLICE, Securitas standing left, with branch and raising hem of robe. ЄSIS double-crescent in exergue RIC Siscia 218; Sear 16610. (3.19 grams / 19 mm) Interesting lady, and interesting too that her sarcophagus exists: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarcophagi_of_Helena_and_Constantina By Jean-Pol GRANDMONT - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18541859
Don't have many House of Constantine issues, but I picked this one up because I was impressed with the portrait. Photo by CNG.
