Reference: Penny
American
The Greek drachma, or Roman denarious, equivalent to about fourteen cents. In reading the Scripture passage in which this word, occurs, we should consider that the real value of money, to purchase labor or commodities, was far greater then that now; and also that even the nominal value of the drachma would be better expressed by "shilling," or "franc," than by "penny." Thus, "two hundred shillings' worth of bread would not suffice," Mr 6:37; "he took out two francs and gave them to the host," Lu 10:35. So in Re 6:6, "a measure of wheat for a penny" expresses to the English reader the idea of great plenty; whereas the original indicates a distressing scarcity. A drachma in Christ's time was good wages for a day's labor in a vineyard, Mt 20:2.
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Easton
(Gr. denarion), a silver coin of the value of about 7 1/2d. or 8d. of our present money. It is thus rendered in the New Testament, and is more frequently mentioned than any other coin (Mt 18:28; 20:2,9,13; Mr 6:37; 14:5, etc.). It was the daily pay of a Roman soldier in the time of Christ. In the reign of Edward III. an English penny was a labourer's day's wages. This was the "tribute money" with reference to which our Lord said, "Whose image and superscription is this?" When they answered, "Caesar's," he replied, "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God the things that are God's" (Mt 22:19; Mr 12:15).
Illustration: Denarius
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Fausets
(See DRAM; DRACHMA .) The Greek silver coin, (Latin denarius, from whence the French denier,) bearing the head of the reigning Roman emperor, the date of his tribunitian power or consulate, or the number of times he was saluted emperor (Mt 22:19-21). A labourer's day's wages (Mt 20:2,13). The good Samaritan's gift of twopence for the entertainment of the man at the inn would suffice for two days. In Re 6:6 "a measure (choenix, two or three pints) of wheat for a penny," implies comparative scarcity when a man's whole day's wages would only buy a day's provisions, instead of, as ordinarily, buying 16 to 20 measures.
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Hastings
Morish
????????. A common Roman coin. It was the labourer's wages for a day. Matt. 20. Higher sums were reckoned by this coin, as the debt of 500 pence in Lu 7:41. The Lord when answering the Jews said "Show me a penny." Lu 20:24. It was the chief Roman silver coin. See WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.