Shekels (“30 Pcs of Silver”)

Shekels and Half Shekels

The half shekel was the annual Temple tax for one man. The coin found in the mouth of the fish as recorded in Matthew 17:27 would have been the full shekel, as it was enough to pay for both Jesus and Peter.

The Shekels of Tyre would be the same type coins as were paid to Judas in Matthew 26:15, the “30 pieces of silver”.   Most shekels weighs around 14 grams and measure 23 mm.   Half shekels normally weigh around 7 grams and measure 18 mm.

Full Shekel of Tyre
Lifetime of Jesus
18/19AD
“KP” Type
Temple Tax coin for 2 men
Melqart AR Tetradrachm
ST39
14.2 gm  24mm
“PMB” =144 of Tyre = 18/19 AD.
Very Fine Images
$1,429.00

Half Shekel of Tyre
Temple Tax coin for 1 man
Melqart AR Half-Tetradrachm
Full Centered Face & Full Centered Eagle
Dark toning
HS26
 6.4 gm  21mm
“KP” Type
rho-xi-gamma = 37-38AD
$385.00

Full Shekel of Tyre
20/21 BC
Temple Tax coin for 2 men
Melqart AR Tetradrachm
ST40
12.9 gm  24mm
“YC” =106 of Tyre = 20/21BC.
Nice Centered Images
$895.00

Good News...
12 more shekels & half shekels
 to be listed soon.

Note: This is not a shekel or from the Tyre mint.

Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt,
Ptolemy VI Philometor 180-145BC
AR Tetradrachm.
L-lambda = 149/150BC (Year 30)
Paphos Mint
VF+, 12.6 gr, 24mm
# A02
$345.00

Note regarding the “KP” dating of the Melqart Shekel: According to the use of the KP [sic KR] monogram, the Tyrian shekels and fractions can be divided into two different groups. The first of the Melqart shekels consists of coins struck in the years 126-19 B.C. that do not have the letters KP [sic KR]. The second group comprises issues struck from 18 B.C.-66 A.D. that bear the letters KP [sic KR], or these letters in monogram form."

   Question: Why would the Jews at the time of Jesus Christ allow a coin with the image of a man or a false god to be the only authorized temple currency?   To see the answer, click this link:          http://israelvisit.co.il/beged-ivri/shekel/J-Tyrian.htm