R2073 - Tiberius (A.D. 14-37), Silver Denarius or "Tribute Penny", 3.21g., Lugdunum mint (Lyons, France), after A.D. 16, Tiberius laureate right, TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVSTVS rev., seated female figure right holding vertical staff and branch PONTIF MAXIM (RCV 1763; RIC 26), some slight porosity, scratch on reverse, very fine. $195 SOLD

 

This type is commonly known as the "Tribute Penny" and is associated with a story about Christ in St. Matthews Gospel (22. 17-21):

 

The King James Bible Version:

¹⁷  Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?
¹⁸   But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?
¹⁹   Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.
²⁰   And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?
²¹   They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.