Ancient Rome - 14-37 CE Tiberius AR Denarius NGC AU - Biblical Tribute Penny Type

Tiberius, 14-37 AD. Struck at Lugdunum (Lyon, France) mint. Obverse presents TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVSTVS around, with the laureate head of Tiberius facing to the right. Reverse features PONTIF MAXIM around, with Livia as Pax (Roman goddess of peace) seated, facing right upon a throne with ornate legs, holding long vertical sceptre and sprig of an olive branch.  Obverse has splashes of reddish-gold toning and overall attractive gray patina. The reverse has original golden-brown toning.

"The Tribute Money" (1612-1614) by Peter Paul Rubens. This work has been on exhibit at the Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco since 1944.

"Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's": Matthew 22:21.

The above phrase attributed to Jesus in the New Testament has become a widely quoted summary of the correlation between Christianity, secular government, and society as a whole. The original statement was in response to Jesus being asked whether it was lawful for Jews to pay taxes to Caesar.

It gave rise to different analysis about the situation under which it is desirable for Christians to submit to an earthly power. The text names the coin as a δηνάριον (dēnarion), and has historically been determined to be a Roman silver denarius that carries the image of Tiberius. Because of the biblical connection, the coin is also called the "tribute penny." The inscription on the obverse around Tiberius reads "Ti[berivs] Caesar Divi Avg[vsti] F[ilivs] Avgvstvs" ("Caesar Augustus Tiberius, son of the Divine Augustus").