The tribute penny – Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s

The tribute penny was the coin that was shown to Jesus when he made his famous speech "Render unto Caesar..." Jesus is asked, "Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?" (Mark 12:14) and he replies, "bring me a penny, that I may see it" (Mark 12:15). The Greek text uses the word dēnarion, and it is thought by scholars that the coin was a Roman denarius with the head of Tiberius. Tiberius didn’t particularly want to be emperor. He was stepson of Augustus and became emperor in 14 CE upon Augustus’ death.

Tiberius, 41-54 CE

Tiberius was one of the greatest Roman generals but is remembered as a dark and reclusive ruler. Pliny the Elder called him "the gloomiest of men." After the death of his son Drusus Julius Caesar in 23 AD, Tiberius became even more reclusive. Tiberius left Rome to retire on the island of Capri in 27 CE. Historians describe him as depraved. Villa Jovis

Tribute Penny – Tiberius, ca. 18-35 CE.

When Tiberius eventually died, the succession was left to his nephew Caligula and grandson Tiberius Gemellus. Caligula quickly established his reputation by executing Gemellus.

Tiberius took no interest in coinage, leaving a single type in place for virtually all of his 23-year reign. It became one of the most widely used coinages in Roman history and ranks among the most familiar coins of antiquity. Tiberius coins became known as the 'Tribute Penny' due to its famous reference in the Bible as the coin Jesus said to “Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”