What is the modern equivalent of 30 pieces of silver?

Question

I was just thinking that people condemn judas for delivering jesus to the romans for 30 pieces of silver.

But how much is that in todays standard, is that like $250, will thats just not worth it.

although if it was $250,000 well thats not bad for one nights work.

Would you aggree?

Wesley B · Accepted Answer

Silver right now is trading at about $35.80 per ounce. So, assuming a "piece" of silver is an ounce, that'd be about...$1074 in today's terms.

However, drachmas, also referred to in Luke as "pieces of silver" are about an eighth of an ounce, to 30 of those, in modern terms, is more like $134.25.

Vito1964 · Answer

According to Matthew 20:2, a silver denarius is a fair wage for a day's work.

However, Rome had two silver coins, the denarius and the quinarius.

If the 30 coins were silver denariuses, it would be about a months salary.
If the 30 coins were silver quinariuses, it would be about 15 days salary.

Kreeos Kren · Answer

It's easy enough to figure out.  Let's assume that a silver coin weighs 0.25 ounces. Silver is currently trading at $35.84 USD per ounce. Most silver coins are only 90% pure. So therefore:

0.25 * # of coins * 0.90 * Price of Silver = Value of coins

0.25 * 30 * 0.90 * 35.84 = $241.92 USD

? · Answer

Those 30 pieces of silver but the Potters Field.

The Field where God can put broken pieces of someones life back together.

Minetto · Answer

It was enough to buy a piece of land so  at least 10,000.00  and most likely  a lot more if it was in Jerusalem

Anonymous · Answer

Silver blows right now. its like 50 bucks an ounce compared to gold at 1400 bucks an ounce. Maybe that's why he hung himself?.

Anonymous · Answer

I would tip the police off about any criminal, no matter how much the reward.

Jesus was a criminal and causing a lot of social unrest.

? · Answer

I would've done it for a klondike bar!

What is the modern equivalent of 30 pieces of silver?

8 Answers