Ancient coin collecting milestone

This was a wish list item
I never imagined that I would actually own one of these. Amazing how miracles happen! My most trusted auctioneer and numismatist friend just so happened to have one available at an awesomely reasonable starting bid and in awesomely excellent condition. And by Grace of the Father it so happened that I was the top bidder. Thank you, my trusted numismatist friend! Thank you to the previous owner who gave up this awesome coin for adoption!

 

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That's a great looking specimen of a very desirable coin. Congrats.

 

It's hard to believe these are as expensive as they are, but I know the why. Yours is very nice example. Congratulations.

My first "Tribute Penny" was a fake. There are lots of 'em out there. I say this just to remind people to conduct due diligence when buying one of these. Here is my authentic example:

 

A very desireable example!! Congrats @Deacon Ray !

 

That is an awesome acquisition. These coins can be rather painful to acquire. None-the-less I am sure it was worth it!

I am still waiting for @dougsmit to sell me his Indian imitation of the tribute penny, as it would fill so many holes in my collection with a single coin, but I don't think it will happen, maybe someday I will try again.

 

I have to go look up this coin and see what all the hubbub is about! I really like the way @Deacon Ray gives credit to "The Father" and everyone else in the chain of providence that landed what he wanted in his hands. I find that uplifting!

 

Look here -
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/the-tribute-penny

 

Here is a fake sand cast

 

It's one of those coins that is rather expensive for how common they are. The Athenian owls and Mark Antony legionary denarii are other such examples of common coins that command crazy prices.

The thing is that although we don't really know what coin Jesus held up in the Bible when he uttered the famous phrase "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's", marketing campaigns have always refered to this particular coin of Tiberius as the very same coin Jesus held. Although there is zero evidence for that, the marketing campaigns have worked and these coins command crazy high prices.

 

What Bing said. Congrats, DR, and as always, I enjoy your graphic presentation of the coin.

 

Nice, still wouldn't mind one too. But can never justify the price, even "bargains" I have seen over the years.

 

Excellent coin, DR, congratulations.

Keep your eyes open, I have seen at least a dozen and all are die duplicates probably from the same find. CNG has sold a couple according to their site. Mine has been here since 1988 and has 'tenure'.


I wonder if when Jesus said "Render unto Caesar", he included fourrees. I can't help thinking Caesar would have been displeased by the one below.

 

Congrats @Deacon Ray ! That is a wonderful coin and fits well within your collection. BIG FUN!

 

Thanks @rrdenarius. It's on my reading list for Saturday.

 

There is an excellent thread about the subject of the Tribute Penny at FORVM. Click here. I would suggest everyone read it before they opine. Whenever these coins come around for discussion there's a lot of disinformation thrown around, and the discussion veers toward conflict between religious and non-religious people. The posters at FORVM do an excellent job analyzing the various objections, and examining the historical and philosophical significance of the coin.

 

Thanks, Bing! Your Denarius has a beautiful ancient patina and shows a lot of character.

 

Thanks, John! That FORVM comment forum is an excellent dialog on the Denarius!

 

That's a great site, rrdenarius! I've never seen it before.

 

Thanks for posting, AngelDeath!

 

Thank you, Doug! As always Sir, your post is fascinating. I'm starting to collect Spanish/Roman semis imitations. I'm finding them very interesting.