This is an example of the legendary Tribute Penny used in the 'Render unto Caesar' speech Christ gave to his disciples. The coin was supposed to represent a days. The goddess looking East (left) appearing on the Tiberius denarius, marked Pontifex Maximus, is in all likelihood to be identified with the great mother. This is a Roman Silver Denarius of Emperor Tiberius who reigned from 14-37 AD. Another suggestion often made is the denarius of Augustus with Caius and Lucius on the reverse, while coins of Julius Caesar, Mark Antony and Germanicus are all considered possibilities. Tribute Penny, Roman Denarius coin of Cesar Tiberius (14 A.D.). According to todays price of silver (less than 50 cents per gram) a silver denarius weighing 3.5 grams would be worth 1.75 as a precious metal value.

However, it has been suggested that denarii were not in common circulation in Judaea during Jesus' lifetime and that the coin may have instead been an Antiochan tetradrachm bearing the head of Tiberius, with Augustus on the reverse. The phrase comes from the King James Version of the gospel account: Jesus is asked, 'Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?' and he replies, 'bring me a penny, that I may see it'. The Tribute Penny (or Denarion in Greek/Latin or Cristo della moneta in Italian) was the coin shown to Jesus Christ when he made is famous speech 'Render unto Caesar'. Roman Empire, Tiberius (14-37 AD), Silver Denarius, Obv: laureate head right, legend around TI CAESAR DIVI AVG AVGVSTVS, Rev: livia, as pax seated right. TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVSTVS, laureate bust right / PONTIF MAXIM, Livia (as Pax) seated right on throne with ornate legs, holding long sceptre and olive branch, single line below chair. Title: Denarius of Tiberius, Lugdunum Classification: Coins Work Type: coin Date: 14-37 CE Places: Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World, Europe.