The answer is: Ten

Luke 15:8

In Luke 15, nestled within a series of parables illustrating the joy of redemption, the parable of the lost coin recounts the story of a woman who had ten silver coins but lost one. It’s fascinating to think of these coins, called drachmas, which held significant value in that culture — roughly equivalent to a day's wage. Losing even one could understandably cause quite a stir!

This story follows the theme of the two preceding parables: a shepherd seeking a lost sheep and a father welcoming home a wayward son. They all illustrate the priceless worth of each individual and the lengths to which one will go to restore relationship and community. The woman’s intense search for her lost coin echoes broader biblical themes. Consider Proverbs, which encourages a search for wisdom with the same diligence as the woman searching for her coin (Proverbs 2:4).

Interestingly, the act of rejoicing when the coin is found reinforces the concept of shared joy in community. When the woman finds her coin, she invites friends and neighbors to celebrate.This resonates beautifully with Jesus’ intent in sharing these parables: God’s desire for all to feel welcomed and valued, sparking inquiry about the divinity inherent in each person.

So next time you find a lost penny or bill, think of it as a chance to appreciate restoration and community joy, just as those ancient coins carried both value and symbols of seeking and saving in people and relationships.