Flavia Julia Helena, also known as Helena of Constantinople, was born in Bithynia in Asia Minor. She was the consort of Constantius I and mother of Constantine the Great. Constantius divorced Helena and subsequently married Theodora, Maximian's stepdaughter in 289. Under Constantine Helena was Christianised and promoted to Augusta in 325. She was famous for her piety and had access to the imperial treasury in order to locate several Christian relics, a task in which she succeeded. Helena died in 330 at Constantinople and Constantine honoured his mother by renaming the city of Drepanum 'Helenopolis'.

Obv. Diademed, draped bust of Helena right, FL. HELENA AVGVSTA.
Rev. Helena standing, holding a branch, SECVRITAS REIPVBLICE, SMANT in exergue.