Helena, Augusta, 324-328/30. Half Follis (Bronze, 16 mm, 1.45 g, 12 h), Constantinopolis, circa 327-328 (?). Diademed and draped bust of Helena to right. Rev. HELENA AV-GV[STA] / CONS Turreted and winged Constantinopolis seated left on cippus, right foot set on prow, holding branch in her right hand and cornucopiae in her left; in field to left, A. Ramskold, Constantine's SPES PVBLIC coins (2020), p. 258, fig. 26D (this coin). RIC -. Of the highest rarity, one of only two known examples. A coin of tremendous historical interest and importance. Flan crack and with traces of corrosion, otherwise, good fine.


This enigmatic coin is one of only two known. The other example, in a private collection, is struck from a different reverse die but corresponds to our example in all comparable details. This unusual representation of Constantinopolis with wings is otherwise only found on some bronze medallions from Rome but struck for Constantinople (RIC VII Rome 295, 303, 342, 356, 357, see Ntantalia 2001). All such medallions date from the reign of Constantine I, none are later. A clue to the date of this coin, or token, is the mint mark, showing a position restricted to the early emissions from Constantinople. Also, the reverse iconography closely mirrors the 'DAFNE' type. Nothing in the coin indicates that it is posthumous, however, although it cannot be ruled out. The small size and weight only indicate that it was not part of the regular coinage. All taken together, a date of 327 or 328 is reasonable, but a later date cannot be excluded.

One may note that after her pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 326-327/328, Helena returned to Rome. At that time, Constantine, who had initiated and financed Helena's undertaking, resided either in Nicomedia or his new city, Constantinople. Helena may have paid a visit to her son on her way back to Rome, to present him with information and updates on church affairs. Coins or tokens of this kind may have been struck during such a visit.