King James Bible Dictionary

(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 ( Matthew 18:28; 20:2, 9, 13; Mark 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" (Matthew 22:19; Mark 12:15).

About seventeen cents, later fifteen cents
Matthew 18:28; Mark 6:37; Mark 14:5; Luke 7:41; Luke 10:35

Roman, bore Caesar's image
Matthew 22:19-21

A day's wages
Matthew 20:2-14

PEN'NY, noun plural pennies or pence. Pennies denotes the number of coins; pence the amount of pennies in value.

1. An ancient English silver coin; but now an imaginary money of account, twelve of which are equal to a shilling. It is the radical denomination from which English coin is numbered.

2. In ancient English statutes, any or all silver money.

3. Proverbially, a small sum. He will not lend a penny

4. Money in general.

Be sure to turn the penny

In the New Testament "penny," either alone or in the compound "pennyworth," occurs as the rendering of the Roman denarius . (Matthew 20:2; 22:10; Mark 6:37; 12:15; Luke 20:24; John 6:7; Revelation 6:6) The denarius was the chief Roman silver coin, and was worth about 15 to 17 cents.

PEN'NYPOST, noun One that carries letters from the post office and delivers them to the proper persons for a penny or other small compensation.

PENNYROY'AL, noun A plant of the genus Mentha.

The English pennyroyal is the Mentha pulegium; the noun American pennyroyal is the Cunila pulegioides.

PEN'NYWEIGHT, noun A troy weight containing twenty four grains, each grain being equal in weight to a grain of wheat from the middle of the ear, well dried. It was anciently the weight of a silver penny, whence the name. Twenty penny-weights make an ounce troy.

PEN'NYWISE, adjective Saving small sums at the hazard of larger; niggardly on improper occasions.

PEN'NYWORTH, noun As much as is bought for a penny.

1. Any purchase; any thing bought or sold for money; that which is worth the money given.

2. A good bargain; something advantageously purchased, or for less than it is worth.

3. A small quantity.