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

Tiberius, 14-37 CE. AR Denarius. Lugdunum (modern day Lyon, France) mint, struck 36-37 CE. Biblical "Tribute Penny" type. The obverse features TI CAESAR DIVI AVG F AVGVSTVS around, with the laureate head of Tiberius facing to the right. The reverse features PONTIF MAXIM around, with Livia as Pax (Roman goddess of peace) seated, facing to right on a throne with ornate legs, holding long vertical scepter and olive branch; single exergual line below. Sharply struck example with attractive original grey-golden patina.

The Tribute Money by Titian (1516) portrays Jesus being shown a tribute penny.

Tiberius, 16 November 42 BCE--16 March CE 37, was the second Roman emperor, reigning from CE 14 to 37. He was successor to his stepfather, Augustus. He was one of Rome's great generals, for his conquests of Pannonia, Dalmatia, Raeteia, and parts of Germania formed the basis of Rome's northern frontier. Nonetheless, he is remembered as a dark, withdrawn and serious leader who never wanted to become emperor. Pliny the Elder called him "the gloomiest of men." It was after the death of his son Drusus Julius Caesar in CE 223 that Tiberius became even more reclusive and aloof. During his rule, Jews had become more prominent in Rome, and Jewish and Gentile believers in Jesus Christ started to proselytize the Roman citizenry, which increased long-seething resentments. The year CE 26 saw Tiberius leave Rome and give administrative authority to his unscrupulous Praetorian prefects, Sejanus and Naevius Sutorius Macro. After his suspicious death, Tiberius was succeeded by his grand-nephew and adopted grandson, Caligula.