Tyrian shekel

They also bore the Greek inscription ΤΥΡΟΥ ΙΕΡΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΑΣΥΛΟΥ (Týrou hierâs kai asýlou, 'of Tyre the holy [city] and [city] of refuge').^[1] The coins were the size of a modern Israeli half-shekel and were issued by Tyre, in that form, between 126 BC and AD 56. Earlier Tyrian coins with the value of a tetradrachm, bearing various inscriptions and images, had been issued from the second half of the fifth century BC.^[2]

After the Roman Empire closed down the mint in Tyre, the Roman authorities allowed the Jewish rabbanim to continue minting Tyrian shekels in Judaea, but with the requirement that the coins should continue to bear the same image and text to avoid objections that the Jews were given autonomy.^[3] They were replaced by First Jewish Revolt coinage in 66 AD.

The Tyrian shekels were considered tetradrachms by the Greeks, as they weighed four Athenian drachmas, about 14 grams ^{[citation needed]}, more than earlier 11-gram shekels but regarded as equivalent for religious duties at that time.^[4] In ancient Tyre, the weekly wage of a skilled laborer was about 1 shekel. These coins were imperfect in shape, all unique in geometry, as they were struck inaccurately, by a hammer 4 feet long in length, containing the face of the coin. A quarter shekel of Tyre was worth about a loaf of bread.

Metallurgical studies^[5] have demonstrated that Tyrian shekels maintained an exceptionally high silver content throughout their entire production period, with a purity level approaching 94-97%. This remarkable consistency in metal quality distinguished them from other ancient silver coins. The exceptional purity helps explain why the Jerusalem Temple priests specifically required Tyrian shekels for Temple tax payments.

The money-changers referenced in the New Testament Gospels (Matt. 21:12 and parallels) provided Tyrian shekels in exchange for Roman currency when this was required.^[6]^[7]

the Tyrian Shekel also once appeared in Rick Harrison’s tv show Pawn Stars, by seller Ryan, in a polished, cleaned, therefore, damaged state by seller/market adjudicational standards. That coin sold for $1,600 before 2020, September 4th, 2020, and unfortunately, would have sold for around $5,000 had the coin not been cleaned.

Description

See also

References

Wikiwand - on