Coins
The denarius is the origin of the symbol, d, for the old British penny, to which it deteriorated as a result of inflation. On today's ancient coin market an ordinary denarius still costs about a day's pay. Denarii made for the Roman Republic (before about 44 B.C.) typically had the names of the mint master or coin designer, as in this illustration....
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The coin name in King James English is the widow's "mite". The proper Greek name is lepton for any coin in this exhibit with similar size. The illustrated coin was one of the first, and most common, Jewish coins ever minted, dating from the time of Alexander Jannaeus (103-76 B.C.), a descendent of Judas Maccabee. Jewish leptons often show defects o...
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Mark 12:42-44 and Luke 21:2-4 tell the story of the Widow who gave all she had, two "mites". A number of tiny copper coins circulated in Judaea during the time of Christ so there is no way to establish any particular design as "the" Widow`s Mite. The coins were produced in vast quantities through the first century BC and first century AD. The quali...
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Among collectors of ancient coins, the Tribute Penny has great appeal, especially to Christians. You may recall from your study of the Bible that Matthew 22:17-22, Mark 12:15-17 and Luke 20:22-26 all describe Jesus commenting on a denarius, a coin that we would refer to today as a "penny".
[Bible] [Rome] [Coin]...
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AE Prutah, 14mm. Lituus and Greek inscription (Tiberius Caesar)/Date LIH (year 18 = AD31) in wreath. This coin was minted after the crucifixion and was in circulation while Paul was persecuting Jesus' followers. [Coins of Jesus' time]...
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AE 1/4 Unit. Reed and date (LK'delta'), Greek inscription (=Herod Tetrarch)/TIB.PIAC in 2 lines in wreath, H65. Herod Antipas was the Tetrarch of the Galilee. [Coins of Jesus' time]...
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Phoenicia, Tyre, after 126 BC, AR Shekel (or Tetradrachm) (14.4g). Melqarth head rt/Eagle standing left on thunderbolt. These Tyrian Tetradrachms are the "30 pieces of silver" with which the temple authorities paid Judas Iscariot. [Coins of Jesus' time]...
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AD 37-44, AE Prutah, 17mm. Umbrella-like canopy, Greek inscription (the king Agrippa)/Three barley ears, date (year 6) Herod Agrippa was close to the mad emperor Caligula. In a persecution of the followers of Jesus, he executed James, "The Great." [Coins of Jesus' time]...
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pre-royal coinage, mint of Caesarea Maritima, AE 19mm. Laureate bust of nero, Greek inscription (Nero Augustus Caesar)/Bust of Agrippina left, Greek inscription (Agrippina Augusta) It was under Agrippa II when the High Priest Ananus illegally executed Jesus' brother James, the Righteous (62 CE). [Coins of Jesus' time]...
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4BC-6AD, AE Prutot, 18mm. Double cornucopiae with parallel horns, Greek inscription
(Herod)/War galley left, Greek inscription above (Ethnarch). This coin was in circulation during the early childhood of Jesus in Nazareth. [Coins of Jesus' time]...
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