Tiberius Claudius Nero was barn in 42 B.C., the elder son of T. Claudius Nero and Livia, who later divorced her first husband to marry Augustus. After the death of his friend and heir Agrippa in 12 B.C., Augustus became increasingly dependent on his step-son in military matters, and Tiberius spent much time campaigning on the frontiers of the Empire. His marriage with Augustus' only child, Julia, widow of Agrippa, was an unhappy one, and in 6 B.C. Tiberius retired to a self imposed exile on the island of Rhodes. Julia was later banished by her father, and after eight years, Tiberius returned to Rome. Augustus had no affection for his stepson and it was only after the death of his two grandsons and heirs, Caïus and Lucius, that he grudgingly recognized Tiberius as his probable successor.

Tiberius came to the throne in A,D., 14 and proved himself a very able administrator. The Empire in general prospered under his rule, but there was much tragedy within the Emperor's family and treason trials became increasingly frequent. In A.D. 26 Tiberius retired to the Island of Capri and never returned to Rome. He died on March 16t A.D. 37 at the age of 78 and was succeeded by his great-nephew Caligula. The ministry and crucifixion of Christ took place during his reign.


As we hold an ancient coin in our hands today, we cannot help but wonder who has held it before, where the coin has traveled in its journey across time. This splendid denarius bears the portrait of Tiberius, emperor during Christ’s ministry and crucifixion. It was just such a coin that Jesus must have held when he said, "render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s, and unto god what is god's". Perhaps the people in whose hands this coin once rested were followers of the Galilean, or heard him speak. We can never know these things for certain, but to wear this token of that remarkable time is to bring ourselves closer to it.