Moneta
Registered: August 2005
Location: Arizona USA
Posts: 2,362
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This nice portrait of Helena, the famous mother of Constantine I, the Great and first wife of Constantius I, his father. OB: FL HELENA AVGVSTA, diademed and draped bust right. Reverse: SECVRITAS REIPVLICAE, Helena standing left holding branch downward. This denarius retains a lot of silvering, 3.19 g. After becoming Christian she famously went to the Holy Land on a pilgrimage and is supposed to have returned with many relics, including the "True Cross." NGC encased as an XF w/silvering. Ex. Roma Numismatics E-sale 77, Lot 1376 (Nov 2020), and Ex. Heritage sale (May 2022, Lot 63300). Roma auction description: Antioch, AD 328-329. FL HELENA AVGVSTA, diademed and mantled bust to right, wearing necklace / SECVRITAS REIPVBLICE, Securitas standing facing, head to left, lowering branch and raising robe with right hand; •SMANTZ in exergue. RIC VII 82. 3.19g, 20mm, 12h. Near Extremely Fine; much silvering remaining. Not encased at this sale.
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