The pidyon haben, (Hebrew: פדיון הבן) or redemption of the first born son, is a mitzvah in Judaism whereby a Jewish firstborn son is redeemed by use of silver coins from his birth-state of sanctity.
The redemption is attained by giving five silver coins to a Kohen (a patrilineal descendant of the priestly family of Aaron).
Read more about Pidyon Haben: Biblical References, Principles, Ceremony, Coins, Pidyon Certificates, Women and Pidyon HaBen, Frequency of Ceremony, Traditional Jewish Interpretation