Denarius, (δηνάριον), the principal silver coin of the Romans, which took its name from having been originally equal to ten times the “as” (Pliny, 33:12), which was the unit. SEE FARTHING. It was in later times (after B.C. 217) current also among the Jews, and is the coin which is called “a PENNY” (q.v.) in the Auth. Vers. The denarii were first coined in B.C. 269, or four years after the first Punic War, and the more ancient specimens are much heavier than those of later date (Bockh, Metrol. Unters. p. 299, 469). Those coined in the early period of the commonwealth have the average weight of 60 grains, and those coined under the empire of 52.5 grains. With some allowance for alloy, the former would be worth 8.6245 pence, or 17 cents, and the latter 7.5 pence, or 15 cents. It has been supposed, however, that the reduction of weight did not take place till the time of Nero; and, in that case, the denarii mentioned in the Gospels must have been of the former weight and value, although the equivalent of the Greek δραχμή (Pliny, 21:109), or about 15 cents, is the usual computation (see Wurm, De ponder. mensura, p. 54). A denarius was the day-wages of a laborer in Palestine (Matthew 20:2,9,13; Tobit 5:15); and the daily pay of a Roman soldier was less (Tacitus, Ann. 1:17). In the time of Christ the denarius bore the image of the emperor (Matthew 22:19.; Mark 12:16), but formerly it was impressed with the symbols of the republic.
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Author: McClintock and Strong Cyclopedia
Keywords: Denarius
Bible reference(s): Mark 12:16, Matthew 20:2, Matthew 22:19, Tobit 5:15
Source: John McClintock and James Strong, Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature.
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