Denarius
Archimandrite Nikifor’s Biblical Encyclopedia
(Matt. 18:28; 20:2; 22:19, and elsewhere) — the most commonly used Roman silver coin in Palestine during the earthly life of the Savior, equal to a quarter-shekel, or about 21 kopecks silver. In antiquity the denarius bore the image of the goddess Roma, and in imperial times, the Roman emperor and his inscription. There were also gold denarii, equal to 25 silver denarii. One denarius made up a day’s wage for a hired laborer, as is evident from the Lord’s parable of the hiring of laborers into the vineyard (Matt. 20:2).