COIN (ROMAN)

A Roman silver denarius of Tiberius (AD 14-37), dating to the period c.AD 14-37 (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, p57).

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: 14.0 to 37.0
Weight (g): 3.6
Diameter (mm): 19.1
Thickness (mm): 1.9
Completeness: Complete
Parish: Somerby
District: Melton
County: Leicestershire
Region: East Midlands
Discovery method: Metal detector
RIC reference: ric.1(2).tib.30