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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Roman Collector, post: 2945703, member: 75937&quot;]Post anything you feel is relevant! </p><p><br /></p><p>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&#039;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&#039;s death, before the massacre of most of Theodora&#039;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&#039;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.</p><p><br /></p><p>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.</p><p><br /></p><p>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. </p><p><br /></p><p>Helena was the first wife of Constantius I, the mother of Constantine I. She died about eight years before this coin was issued. </p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]718275[/ATTACH] </p><p>Helena, Augusta AD 324-228/30</p><p>Roman billon reduced centenionalis; 1.24 g, 13.4 mm</p><p>Trier, AD 337-340</p><p>Obv: FL IVL HELENAE AVG</p><p>diademed and draped bust, right</p><p>Rev: PAX PVBLICA, Pax standing left, holding olive branch and transverse scepter; in exergue TR S</p><p>Refs: RIC viii, p. 144, 78; LRBC I 119; Cohen 4; RCV 17492.</p><p><br /></p><p>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&#039;s death: Nepotian, Constantius Gallus, and Julian II. </p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]718264[/ATTACH] </p><p>Theodora, Augusta posthumously (?)</p><p>Roman billon reduced centenionalis; 1.42 g, 13.8 mm, 10 h</p><p>Trier, AD 337-340</p><p>Obv: FL MAX THEODORAE AVG, diademed and draped bust, right</p><p>Rev: PIETAS ROMANA, Pietas standing facing, head right, holding infant; in exergue TR P (+/- palm branch; off the flan).</p><p>Refs: RIC viii, p. 144, 79 or 91; LRBC I 120; Cohen 4; RCV 17500 or 17502.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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