A
rare and interesting coin is offered by Roma
Numismatics Auction VII, lot 1321. It is described as "First Known Coin of
Helena II" and the details are given: "
Helena II AR Heavy
Siliqua. Uncertain
mint, AD 360. FLAV
MAX HELENA AVG, diademed and draped
bust right, hair bound in bunch behind /
AETERNITAS,
Aeternitas standing left, holding globe and rudder set on ground line. 2.84g, 17mm, 5h."
The text to the lot states: "
Helena was the daughter of
Constantine I and
Fausta, sister to
Constantine II,
Constantius II,
Constans and
Constantina and half-sister of
Crispus. Her paternal grandparents were
Constantius I Chlorus and
Helena I, and her maternal grandparents were
Maximian and Eutropia."
The cataloguer was unaware that this
type is not unknown. Another example was for sale 13 June 2002 by Jesus Vico, S.A. in Madrid. In the
catalogue it was described as showing
Helena the mother of
Constantine the Great. A date of 310 AD was given. A metallographic analysis
had been made on the coin, showing it to be 80.75% silver, 17.91% copper and 1.34% other.
So who is figured? Almost certainly, Jesus Vico was right in assigning the coin to
Helena the elder (but got the date wrong). On
Moneta, Rasiel has commented on the Roma
Numismatics example, and I subscribe to
his conclusion, which agrees with Vico's. The
style is consistent with the
posthumous coinage of 337-340, especially the hair-do which is identical to that of both
Theodora and
Helena on the small bronzes struck in their honour after the death of Constantine. Further, the
Aeternitas reverse fits well for
Helena the elder, who passed away in 328, but not for
Helena the younger. The absence of a
mint mark often means a special issue struck for local use at a celebration, but there are many exceptions.
Finally, what about the name? The full name of
Helena the elder is usually
Flavia Julia Helena. Constantine's unlucky wife was named
Flavia Maxima
Fausta. I think there is a mixup, resulting in the
legend FLAV
MAX HELENA AVG.