Late Roman Bronze Coins

Coin talk => Late Roman Bronze coins => Topic started by: Genio popvli romani on January 11, 2017, 02:00:29 PM

Title: Eyes to Heaven ?
Post by: Genio popvli romani on January 11, 2017, 02:00:29 PM
Here is an interesting coin of Helena (Constantinople RIC.33) which shows the augusta clearly represented looking upward.
And if you take a look at RIC.33,34,48,49, you can see other specimens looking upward.

http://www.nummus-bible-database.com/rechercher-une-monnaie.htm?page=3&personnages=24&ateliers=9&collections=&vendeurs=&motscles=&numric=&numnbd=&legendes=41&nombreResultats=110&btRechercher=Rechercher

So, the question is : Is there any significance for this representation of Helena ?
Title: Re: Eyes to Heaven ?
Post by: Victor on January 11, 2017, 02:22:19 PM
I think that it was probably just the engraver's decision to portray the bust this way. I have seen many Constantinian coins with the "eyes to heavens" that I think were just artistic license by the engraver. Below is an example of a Constantinopolis. I have also seen VRBS ROMA with the head tilted.