The anxious search for the lost coin (Luke 15:8–10): lost coins, women's dowries, and the contribution of numismatics and phenomenology to gospel research

Luke’s parable of the lost drachma (Luke 15: 8–10) is sandwiched between the parable of the lost sheep (Luke 15: 3–7) and the parable of the lost son (Luke 15: 11–31). In this position, it is easy to overlook the significance of this pithy parable to an ancient audience. Insight can be gained by considering the relationship that the audience had with their coinage, and, in particular, with the saving hoards that they amassed in their houses. A number of difficulties need to be overcome to get in on the audience’s experience, including the terminology used for the coins themselves since the drachma did not circulate in Roman Judea or Galilee. It is argued in this article that once the audience’s emotional connections to their coin hoards is revealed the emphasis of the parable is seen to fall on the rejoicing. It is expected that those in the audience will rejoice at the finding of the lost coin, and in so doing experience repentance and so share in the rejoicing of the angels (Luke 15:10).