HJB-Helena, Scarce Public Peace AE 4
$80.00   
Sep-14-06


 , Scarce Public Peace AE 4, Constantinople, 337-340 AD, 1.86g. RIC-33 (Scarce). Obv: FL IVL HE--LENAE AVG Bust r. Rx: PAX PVBLICA. Pax standing l. holding branch and transverse scepter, CONSE (= officina 5) in exergue. Helena, mother of Constantine I, had died in 328 or 329 AD. Her reappearance on the coinage with reverse Public Peace in 337-340 should be connected to the succession of her three grandchildren Constantine II, Constantius II, and Constans in 337, after the assassination of Dalmatius, Hannibalianus, and other descendants of Constantine I's stepmother Theodora who were regarded as their potential rivals. See Kent, RIC VIII, pp. 7 and 33. EF/VF 

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