Phoenician Tetradrachm (Shekel) of Tyre

Melkart (Herakles) on Obverse of Phoenican Shekel
Eagle with Year 33 on Phoencian Shekel

These Phoenician Tetradrachms, also known as 'Shekels', are perhaps some of the most fascinating coins in existance. Coins like the one featured here circulated in the Holy Lands (modern Lebanon, Syria and Israel) during the lifetime of Jesus Christ. These coins were struck in the name of Tyre from 126 B.C. (When Tyre regained its autonomy from the Selucids under Roman Protection) until the end of the First Jewish Revolt (66-70 A.D.), when the Second Temple was destroyed on the orders of the future Roman Emperor Titus.

A Coin with Biblical Associations

Featured on the obverse is Melqart, the Phoenician patron god of Tyre and on the reverse is an Eagle and the year of issue (in this cas, year 33, or 94-93 B.C.) In spite of the fact that these coins featured a pagan god and a graven image (both of which were frowned upon by pius Jews), they, along with its half-shekel equivilent, were the only acceptable means of paying the Temple tax of half a shekel per adult male per year. The reason for this was because Roman silver coins were not considered pure enough to enter the Temple treasury (the Temple money changers who were subject to Jesus' wrath in John 2: 13 - 22, Matthew 21: 12 - 13, Mark 11: 15 - 17 and Luke 19: 45 - 46 were engaged in the business of exchanging unsuitable money for these coins). The Tyrian Shekel is referred to at least twice in the Bible; in Matthew 17:24-27, Jesus and Peter are confronted by Temple tax collectors, whereupon Jesus instructs Peter to catch a fish, where he will find a coin to pay the tax for them both (i.e. a Tyrian Shekel). It is also implied that the Shekel was also one 'Thirty Pieces of Silver' used by the Temple Priests to pay Judas Iscariot to betray Jesus. Having betrayed Jesus, Judas came to regret his actions, whereupon he went back to the Temple, cast his 30 pieces upon the temple floor and hanged himself out of remorse (Matthew 27:5-8). The Temple Authorities could not put the money back into the treasury, as it was considered to be tainted with blood. Instead the Temple authorities took the coins and used them to purchase a parcel of land (now known as Akeldama or the Field of Blood) to use as a graveyard for non-Jews. Although the Shekel is not explicitly refered to as one of the 'pieces', the Shekel and its half equivilent were the only coins considered 'pure' enough to enter the treasury, this means they are the only legitimate candidates for the type of silver 'piece' used to pay Judas in this infamous narrative.

The coin featured was struck between 94 - 93 B.C. Meaning that it existed and may well have circulated during Jesus' lifetime. It would almost certainly have spent some of its circulating lifetime sitting in the Temple treasury as payment for two Jewish males living in Judea between the time it was minted and the destruction of the Temple in 70 A.D. Although it is always interesting to speculate who might have handled an old coin, in the case of this old Tyrian Shekel, the speculation is particularly exciting!

Price & Availability:-

Description	Grade	Price £	Price $	Availability
Year 33 silver tetradrachm (shekel) of Tyre 14.3g	GVF	£395*	$Ask	Ask

*Price correct as of 2010.

Postage & Packing:
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Fully Insured £9 (Usually by Royal Mail Special Delivery)
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