HELENA, Mother of Constantine I
AD 324-328/330
AE4. 1.32g, 15.4mm
MINTED: Constantinople mint, AD 330
REF: RIC VIII Constantinople 35 (S)
OBVERSE: FL IVL HELE-NAE AVG, diademed and mantled bust right, wearing necklace.
REVERSE: PAX PV-BLICA •, Pax standing left, holding branch and transverse sceptre; CONSЄ in exergue.

Grade/Notes:
Good Very Fine/Very Fine. Dark black-green patina, with some scattered malachite green hoard deposits.
 
Historical Notes:
Helena was the mother of Constantine I, and during his reign, she was made Empress from 324 until her death in 330 at the age of 80. Between the years 326 and 328, Helena undertook a trip to Palestine to seek out the holy sites of Christianity. During her time there, she also accomplished great works of charity and founded two churches in Bethlehem and on the Mount of Olives. At Jerusalem, Helena is said to have discovered the True Cross and other Christian relics, and to have brought some of these back with her to Rome. Helena is a considered a saint by the Eastern Orthodox, Anglican Communion and Lutheran Churches.