Ancient Roman Historical Coin Empress Helena - Set in Silver Brooch
13
days
16
hours
35
minutes
41
seconds
Current bid
€ 23
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 400 - € 500
 | €23 | |
|---|---|---|
| €17 | |
 | €1 |
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This ancient Roman follis of Empress Helena, dated 325–326 AD, is set in a modern silver brooch with a Greek meander border.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.
Rare follis of Empress Helena, set in a modern silver brooch with a Greek Meander border.
The brooch will be delivered in a jewellery box, a perfect gift for any occasion.
Obverse: mantled bust right with necklace, wearing band diadem decorated with string of pearls, hair crest.
Reverse: SECVRITAS-REIPVBLICE, Securitas standing left, holding branch and hem of robe.
Mintmark SMKA dot.
Diameter brooch: ± 37 mm
EF condition, smooth and shiny dark olive-green patina with spots of cuprite. The coin is fixed in a custom made silver border with a brooch pin.
Certificate:
Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) available upon request
Historical context:
-> Coins were powerful instruments of communication in the ancient world. Rulers struck their image and ideals into coins, turning currency into one of history’s most enduring propaganda tools. These small objects passed daily through the hands of ordinary people, spreading messages of authority with every exchange.
-> Empress Helena, also known as Saint Helena, was the mother of Constantine the Great and is a significant figure in early Christian history. She is often associated with the promotion of Christianity in the Roman Empire. Helena's name itself has Greek origins. The name "Helena" (Ἑλένη in Greek) is derived from the Greek word for "torch" or "light," which symbolizes brightness and illumination.
Helena was born around 248 AD in the region of Bithynia. This area had a rich cultural mix, including Greek influences due to the Hellenization of the region following the conquests of Alexander the Great.
-> SECVRITAS REIPVBLICE / SECVRITAS REIPVBLICAE: Latin for 'Security of the Republic'.
Seller's Story
Please read our information carefully.
*SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us.
* CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package.
* INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following:
-> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date.
-> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage.
* MARGIN SCHEME: All our sales are subject to the margin scheme; therefore, no VAT is charged or shown on our invoices.
* IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU.
* DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers.
----------------------
Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!
Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.
Rare follis of Empress Helena, set in a modern silver brooch with a Greek Meander border.
The brooch will be delivered in a jewellery box, a perfect gift for any occasion.
Obverse: mantled bust right with necklace, wearing band diadem decorated with string of pearls, hair crest.
Reverse: SECVRITAS-REIPVBLICE, Securitas standing left, holding branch and hem of robe.
Mintmark SMKA dot.
Diameter brooch: ± 37 mm
EF condition, smooth and shiny dark olive-green patina with spots of cuprite. The coin is fixed in a custom made silver border with a brooch pin.
Certificate:
Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) available upon request
Historical context:
-> Coins were powerful instruments of communication in the ancient world. Rulers struck their image and ideals into coins, turning currency into one of history’s most enduring propaganda tools. These small objects passed daily through the hands of ordinary people, spreading messages of authority with every exchange.
-> Empress Helena, also known as Saint Helena, was the mother of Constantine the Great and is a significant figure in early Christian history. She is often associated with the promotion of Christianity in the Roman Empire. Helena's name itself has Greek origins. The name "Helena" (Ἑλένη in Greek) is derived from the Greek word for "torch" or "light," which symbolizes brightness and illumination.
Helena was born around 248 AD in the region of Bithynia. This area had a rich cultural mix, including Greek influences due to the Hellenization of the region following the conquests of Alexander the Great.
-> SECVRITAS REIPVBLICE / SECVRITAS REIPVBLICAE: Latin for 'Security of the Republic'.
Seller's Story
Please read our information carefully.
*SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us.
* CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package.
* INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following:
-> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date.
-> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage.
* MARGIN SCHEME: All our sales are subject to the margin scheme; therefore, no VAT is charged or shown on our invoices.
* IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU.
* DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers.
----------------------
Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!
Details
Culture
Ancient Roman
Century/timeframe
325-326 AD (coin)
Name of object
Historical Coin Empress Helena - Set in Silver Brooch
Acquired from
Antique market
Year acquired
2024
Country acquired from
Netherlands
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Antique market
Previous owner - year acquired
2024
Previous owner - country acquired from
Netherlands
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
