COIN (ROMAN)

A Roman silver denarius of Tiberius (AD 14-37) dating to the period AD 36-37 (Reece Period 1). PONTIF MAXIM reverse type depicting a female figure (Pax or Livia) seated right holding vertical sceptre in right hand and branch in left. Mint of Lyon. As RIC I (2nd ed.), p. 95, no. 30. 



This type of coin is often referred to as the 'Tribute penny' from the bible (Matthew 22, 17-21), although it is more likely that what was being referred to was the silver drachma from Caesarea Cappadocia in Western Turkey (Moorhead: 2013: 57).

Ruler: Tiberius
Denomination: Denarius (Empire)
Material: Silver
Mint: Lugdunum
Mintmark: --//--
Obverse: Laureate head right
Obverse legend: [TI CAESAR DIVI] AVG F AVGVSTVS
Reverse: Female figure (Pax or Livia) seated right holding a long vertical sceptre and branch
Reverse legend: PONTIF [MAXIM]
Dated: 36.0 to 37.0
Weight (g): 3.16
Diameter (mm): 18.99
Thickness (mm): 1.95
Completeness: Complete
Parish: Restricted Access
District: Suffolk Coastal
County: Suffolk
Region: Eastern
Place known as: Woodbridge
Discovery method: Metal detector
RIC reference: ric.1(2).tib.30