Biblical Coins

Biblical Coins

Biblical Coins are ancient coins referenced in the Bible or used during biblical times, often associated with significant religious events. These coins, such as the Widow's Mite, the Shekel of Tyre, and Roman denarii, were circulated in regions like Judea and surrounding areas, and are valued by collectors for their historical and spiritual significance.

Biblical coins are highly sought after due to their rich history and religious ties. Bronze examples of these pieces, such as Widow's Mites, are readily available, but some silver pieces are also available for coin collectors.

Many of these biblical coins that fall into this category are mentioned in the Bible. In fact, many of these coins were produced during the life of Jesus. For example, the popular Widow's Mite was struck between 135-37 B.C., which indicates that these coins were circulating during the life of Jesus. Another popular coin is the Shekel of Tyre. Any coins struck in Judea also fall into this category of ancient coins. 

Why Collect Biblical Coins?

Biblical coins are valuable for several reasons:

1. Historical Significance: These coins were used during pivotal moments in biblical history. Coins like the Widow’s Mite or Shekel of Tyre are directly referenced in religious texts, making them fascinating for those interested in both history and theology.

2. Cultural Insights: The designs, inscriptions, and images on biblical coins reveal much about the rulers, deities, and symbols revered in ancient societies. Coins struck by local authorities and rulers often carried political and religious messages, providing a snapshot of the era’s values.

3. Numismatic Value: As with any collectible, the rarity, condition, and provenance of a biblical coin determine its value. High-grade examples of ancient coins are especially prized by collectors.

Popular Biblical Coins to Collect

Certain coins are particularly significant for those interested in biblical history. Here are a few of the most sought-after:

• Widow’s Mites: One of the most famous biblical coins, the Widow’s Mite (or lepton) was a small, low-denomination coin used in Judea during the time of Jesus. Despite its humble value, it gained immense symbolic significance due to its mention in the New Testament (Mark 12:41-44), where Jesus praised a poor widow for donating two mites, all she had, to the temple.

• Shekel of Tyre: This silver coin was commonly used to pay the temple tax during the New Testament period. It is also believed to be the coin referred to in Judas Iscariot’s betrayal of Jesus for thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:14-16). Its high silver purity made it the preferred currency for religious offerings, and it is a key item for collectors.

• Tribute Penny of Tiberius: Thought to be the coin referenced when Jesus asked, "Whose image is this?" in the famous story of paying taxes to Caesar (Mark 12:15-17), the Tribute Penny of Tiberius is a highly coveted Roman denarius featuring the image of Emperor Tiberius. Collectors value its historical and theological importance.

• Silver Shekels and Drachmas: The Silver Shekel was another important currency in biblical lands. Drachmas, used in ancient Greece and referenced in the New Testament (e.g., the Parable of the Lost Coin), were also common in the region, offering collectors a wide range of options from various periods and cultures.

Rare and Notable Coins from Biblical Times

Biblical coin collecting is often driven by the pursuit of rare and historically significant pieces that offer unique insights into the ancient world. One such example is the Jewish Hasmonean Lepton, a small bronze coin minted during the reign of Alexander Jannaeus, a Hasmonean king of Judea. The Widow’s Mite, famously referenced in the New Testament, is another rare coin that fascinates collectors due to its humble origins and biblical significance. Similarly, the Judean Herod the Great Prutah, minted under Herod’s rule, offers insights into the economic and political landscape of Judea during the Roman era.

Tyrian Shekels and Phoenician Shekels were also critical in religious and economic practices, particularly for paying temple taxes. These coins are known for their high silver purity and are highly prized by collectors today. Another rare piece is the Roman Denarius, especially those featuring emperors like Augustus or Tiberius, which played a crucial role in the Roman economy and are referenced in religious texts. Ancient gold coins and silver coins from this period, although rarer, represent the wealth and power of rulers and empires, making them some of the most coveted items in biblical numismatics. Collectors often seek these coins for their unique features, such as inscriptions, portraits, and temple-related symbols, which provide a window into the historical and cultural context of biblical times.

When it comes to the New Testament, it’s likely that Jesus handled several types of gold, silver, and bronze coins as he traveled the Holy Land.

However, only a few specific Biblical coins were linked to Jesus in the New Testament: 

• Jewish Hasmonean lepton

• Roman denarius

• Phoenician shekels

Mark 12:41-44 sees Jesus Christ teaching a lesson of the Widow’s Mite that refers to a coin known as a lepton. This coin featured the likeness of Alexander Jannaeus and was the smallest and least valuable coin circulating in Judea at the time. In the scripture, Jesus watches as a poor widow gives two small copper coins to the treasury.

The Roman silver denarius minted by Emperor Tiberius is considered to be the coin mentioned in the story of the Roman Tax (Mark 12:14-17). Dubbed the “Tribute Penny,” the coin was shown to Jesus as he made his famous speech about whether it was lawful to pay Caesar Augustus's taxes. 

The only coins mentioned in the Old Testament were the renowned Phoenician or Tyrian shekels. These ancient silver coins were minted in the city of Tyre. They came in two denominations: full shekel (14g) and half shekel (8g). 

The New Testament mentions the half shekel in Matthew’s passages on temple taxes (Matthew 17:24-27). This is the infamous story of Peter finding a coin for tax payment in a fish’s mouth.

Ancient Roman Coins

Denarius was the standard silver coin of the Roman Empire, which depicted an emperor wearing a laurel wreath. It was first issued around 211 B.C. and disappeared from circulation around A.D. 238-244. 

More Ancient Coins To Know

In addition to coins directly linked to Biblical history, there are several more ancient silver and gold coins worth knowing about:

• The Tyre Silver Shekel — Greek Coin

• The Persian Daric 

• The Judean Herod the Great Prutah

• The Byzantine Solidus Justin Coin

• The Indo-Scythian Tetradrachm Azes

• The Pontius Pilate Bronze Coin

Biblical Coins Overview

Biblical coins hold great significance as they are tied to some of the most important events and teachings in the Bible. These coins provide a window into the economic, social, and political realities of both the Old and New Testament periods. Through coins like the Roman denarius, Shekel of Tyre, Widow’s Mite, and others, we can explore the cultural interactions between the Israelites, the Romans, and other neighboring civilizations. For both historians and coin collectors, these biblical coins are more than currency—they are symbols of faith, empire, and identity.

Significance of Biblical Coins

Coins mentioned in the Bible are integral to understanding the historical and theological context of biblical events. They illustrate the flow of trade, taxation systems, and cultural influence during the time. They were not only used for commerce but also played symbolic roles in teachings about generosity, betrayal, and allegiance to authority.

Key Biblical Coins

1. Shekel of Tyre

The Shekel of Tyre was a silver coin widely used in Judea during the time of Jesus. It was minted in the city of Tyre and became the primary currency used to pay the annual temple tax. Known for its high silver content, it was valued by the Jewish people for its purity. This coin is also believed by many scholars to be the "thirty pieces of silver" for which Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus (Matthew 26:15).

2. Roman Denarius

The Roman denarius was a silver coin commonly used throughout the Roman Empire, including in Judea. It is often referenced in the New Testament, including the famous passage where Jesus is asked whether it is lawful to pay taxes to Caesar. He responds, "Show me a denarius" (Luke 20:24), and uses the image and inscription of the emperor on the coin to emphasize that earthly and spiritual obligations are separate.

3. Tribute Penny of Tiberius

The Tribute Penny of Tiberius is believed to be the specific Roman coin referred to in the story of paying taxes to Caesar (Mark 12:15-17). This coin depicted Emperor Tiberius, who reigned during Jesus' ministry. The inscription typically read "Tiberius Caesar, Son of the Divine Augustus," reinforcing the emperor’s divine status and political power, which adds to the theological depth of Jesus' message.

4. Widow’s Mite

The Widow’s Mite (or lepton) was one of the smallest and least valuable coins in circulation during the New Testament period. Jesus used this coin to teach about true generosity, as a poor widow contributed two mites to the temple treasury, giving "all she had to live on" (Mark 12:41-44). The mite has come to symbolize humble but profound acts of charity.

5. Thirty Pieces of Silver

The phrase "thirty pieces of silver" is one of the most infamous in biblical history. It refers to the price Judas Iscariot was paid to betray Jesus. These coins are thought to be Shekels of Tyre, which were among the most valuable silver coins of the time. Their use in this betrayal adds a stark contrast between monetary value and spiritual betrayal.

Coinage in the Old and New Testament Periods

During the Old Testament period, coins were not widely used, and barter systems were more common. However, by the time of the New Testament, under Roman rule, coinage became an essential part of daily life. Roman coins like the denarius and local coins like the shekel were prevalent in the marketplace, for taxation, and in temple offerings.

Religious and Political Symbols on Coins

Many biblical coins featured inscriptions of emperors, gods, and symbols, such as the laurel wreath, which signified victory and divine favor. Roman emperors, in particular, used coinage as a propaganda tool to project their power and divine status. In Judea, this sometimes caused tension between Roman rulers and the Jewish population, who adhered to strict religious practices that prohibited graven images.

On the other hand, Jewish coins often bore religious symbols like the menorah or palm tree, reflecting their cultural identity and faith. Coins like the Shekel of Tyre and Silver Shekels of the Jewish Revolt had deep religious significance, especially in the context of paying temple dues.

Drachmas and Other Coins

The drachma, a Greek silver coin, also played a role in the Bible, particularly in parables. In Luke 15:8-10, the "Parable of the Lost Coin" references a drachma, demonstrating the care and concern a woman has for finding her lost coin, which symbolizes God’s concern for His lost people.

Importance for Coin Collectors

For modern-day coin collectors, biblical coins represent not only a fascinating area of numismatics but also a tangible connection to the religious and political landscapes of ancient Judea and the Roman Empire. Collecting coins like the Tribute Penny, Widow’s Mite, or Shekel of Tyre allows enthusiasts to hold pieces of history that are central to the biblical narrative.

Coins from biblical times, adorned with intricate designs and inscriptions, reveal much about the historical period’s complex relationship between faith, politics, and daily life. Whether they were used to pay taxes to Caesar or offerings to God, these coins serve as timeless symbols of a world in transition.

Coins of the Bible To Add to Your Collection

Many collectors buy ancient coins for religious purposes or for their rich history. Due to their age, many Biblical coins are crude and worn. This makes finding high-grade examples very difficult, but Bullion Shark makes it easy and affordable to purchase Biblical coins. 

Bullion Shark is your trusted source for ancient coins of the Bible. We only offer the highest quality products from a wide variety of sources, so you know you’re getting a worthwhile coin.