TYPE Roman Empire, Helena (mother of Constantine the Great, 307-337 AD), bronze AE3, Siscia mint DESCRIPTION . Obv: Bust of Helena to right, Latin legend FL HELENA AVGVSTA Rev: Helena standing to left, holding olive branch, legend: SECVRITAS REIPVBLICE, mintmark 'gamma' SIS in exergue REFERENCE: SR 3908 GRADING: AEF / VF, olive green patina, rev. w/ encrustation, but superb miniature portrait ORDER INFO: R1652, $48 The first wife of Constantius I Chlorus of humble origins, Helena was forced to divorce him upon his accession as Caesar in 293 AD, when their son Constantine - later to be the Great - was only 19. She became soon a convert to Christianity, which may have been a factor in Constantine's later legalization and subsequent embracing of the new religion. Her pious demeanor, generosity towards the Church, and discovery of the True Cross during one of many pilgrimages to Jerusalem earned her veneration and eventually canonization as a Christian saint.