People were aware that there were counterfeit coins being made in ancient times. They knew that one of the most common methods being used was to put a silver coating on a bronze coin. So to protect themselves they would make a “test cut” into the coin to make sure the metal was pure beyond the surface. Usually this would be a rather simple scrape but below you can see one that was a rather radical cut into the coin. The result was, in this case, good for the person doing the test because it proved that the coin was pure silver, but sad news for future ancient coin collectors because a beautiful coin was now damaged.  Among the coins I have seen with this “test cut” it is usually the Athenian Owls that seem to have the deepest cuts. 

I find the “test cut” coin imagery powerful because it points directly to the fact that value is found in what is beneath the surface. Even though a coin is not mentioned in Matt 23:27 the message is the same with the reference to whitewashed tombs – nice on the outside but…  Here the stress is that true spirituality is found under the surface, that deep down to the core we are in harmony with who we say we are. It becomes important that we “test cut” ourselves with an examination of conscience as we would “test cut” our coins to ensure their value.

City: Attica, Athens
Date: after 449BC
Demonination: Tetradrachm
Obverse: Athena
Reverse: Owl
Reference: SNG Copenhagen 31