Widow’s Mite Coin

In the world of numismatics, there are many terms used to refer to different coins, and there are many stories around those names. Widow’s Mite is an excellent example of this. Even if you are new to coin collecting, you may have come across this term used to refer to some ancient coins. However, you might find yourself wondering, “what is the Widow’s Mite coin story?”

If you would like to learn more about what makes an ancient Widow’s Mite coin so special, we encourage you to keep reading this guide. In it, you will find more information on the history behind the coins and how they got their name. We’ll also provide more information on the religious significance. If you are interested in buying one to add to your collection, we’ll even give you some insight into the Widow’s Mite coin value.

What is a Widow’s Mite Coin?

Before we take a deeper dive into the history, it’s important to know that there is still much debate over what an authentic Widow’s Mite coin is. In numismatics, the term is often used to refer to the smallest denomination coin that existed in Judea during the time of Herod’s rule. This could be either the prutah or the leptah. It’s hard to say for certain because a Widow’s Mite is not an official denomination of a coin. Rather, it is a name that was given based on a biblical story.

Widow’s Mite Coin Bible Story

If you turn to the Gospel in the Bible, you will find two mentions of the same story. One is in the book of Mark 12:41-44. The other is found in Luke 21:1-4. In these verses, the authors share a story of a widow who had come to give her offering.

She was a poor woman with little to her name. All she was able to offer was two small coins. In the King James Version of the Bible, these coins were referred to as mites. Though her offering was meager in comparison to that of the rich, hers made a significant impact.

In the story, we learn that there were many rich people who had placed large amounts of their money in a collection box. Jesus watched as a crowd of people poured out financial support at the Temple, but the Widow’s offering stood out to him the most.

It was enough for him to call on his disciples. He explained to them that the Widow had given more than all of the others who had made contributions. The rich had only given away money which was a tiny part of their surplus. They had much more they could have given. Yet, the Widow faithfully gave everything she had. Though her offering was small, it was a lot to her. In fact, it was all she had to live on, so the story goes.

Widow’s Mite Coin History

The Bible didn’t refer to the coins as mites until 1525 when Tyndale published the New Testament. It is believed that the word mite was intended to be a shortened version of minute, which would refer to how small the coins were rather than the specific denomination.

In earlier translations of the Gospel of Mark, the offering was described as two lepta. However, some people believe that the description of such a small coin could also refer to the prutah, the smallest in Jerusalem at the time.

Still, others argue that the coin could have come from as far back as 132 BC, as it was not uncommon for coins to be circulated to the point that they were completely worn out and considered useless.

Since there is much debate over the translation and the little information provided in the Bible, no one truly knows what kind of coins were placed in the offering. Instead, they mostly use the term Widow’s Mite to refer to prutah or lepta.

Reasons to Buy Widow’s Mite Coin

Now that you know more about what a Widow’s Mite coin is, you’re probably wondering why they are popular among collectors, even if there is so much debate surrounding the term. For years, people have sought ancient Widow’s Mite coins to add to their collections for several reasons. You may choose to buy one because it is:

Affordable for Beginners: It’s not uncommon to find a Widow’s Mite coin for sale at a reasonable price for new collectors because there are many coins still in existence.
Significant for Religious History: Some people believe that the biblical Widow’s mite coin is a connection to Jesus and the time that he was alive.
Ancient Collector’s Piece: Even if you aren’t a religious person, you can’t ignore the historical value behind owning a coin that was circulated more than 2,000 years ago.

How Much is a Widow’s Mite Coin Worth?

Before you go out and buy Widow’s mite coin collections, we suggest that you learn more about their value. The value can vary greatly from one coin to another, depending on the quality. Some Widow’s Mite coins can be purchased for less than $50, but these are typically old with unclear details. Their value mostly comes from their Biblical connection.

There are some examples that are well-preserved with clear details. These coins can sell for more than $350. If you are interested in raw or premium-graded coins, you can find some good buys for less than $100. It’s also important to know that these values can change with supply and demand.

Find out More About a Widow’s Mite Coin Value Today

If you would like to learn more about the Widow’s Mite coin value right now, we encourage you to get in touch with International Precious Metals right away. Our friendly and knowledgeable representatives are happy to provide you with more information about the current price. We can also help you locate these coins if we don’t have them in our inventory at the moment.

You can get in touch with us by calling our toll-free number 24/7, or you can reach us online. We offer both a convenient online contact form and a live chat with helpful agents, so get in touch today!

If you’re interested in reading more about rare US coins, check out some of our other great posts including, ‘Investing in Gold Coins vs Bars’, ‘Is it Safe to Buy Silver Online' and ‘Silver Spot Price’.