HELENA, mother of Constantine I, AE4. FL IVL HELENAE AVG, diademed and draped bust right. Reverse - PAX PVBLICA, Pax standing left with branch & scepter, TRS in exergue. RIC 78, SCARCE. 14mm, 1.2g
Helena, who became St. Helena after her death, was the mother of Constantine the Great. According to Christian lore, at age 80 she journeyed to Jerusalem at Constantine's behest and discovered pieces of the true cross. One has to be at least mildly suspicious that so much piety was bestowed on one family (Constantine himself saw the divinely inspired vision of the Chi-Rho prior to the battle of the Milvian Bridge against Maxentius).