Classical Numismatic Group, LLC
Auction 123 23-24 May 2023
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PHOENICIA, Tyre. 126/5 BC-AD 65/6. AR Shekel (24.5mm, 13.63 g, 1h). Dated CY 161 (AD 35/6). Laureate head of Melkart right, [lion skin around neck] / Eagle standing left on prow, palm frond in background; to left, PΞA (date) above club; to right, KP above monogram; Phoenician B between legs. DCA Tyre 590; HGC 10, 357; DCA 920. Slightly off center. EF. Choice for issue.
Tyrian shekels and half-shekels continued to be minted until about AD 65. They circulated widely in Judaea and, despite their overtly Pagan imagery, were accepted by the Jewish authorities as payment for the annual Temple tax. The infamous "30 pieces of silver" paid to Judas for betraying Jesus would likely have been Tyrian issues. This shekel was minted after the generally accepted dates for the crucifixion, April of either AD 30 or 33; however, Pontius Pilate was prefect in Judaea until AD 36, so a case could be made for the crucifixion occuring any year between AD 30 and 36.
Tyrian shekels and half-shekels continued to be minted until about AD 65. They circulated widely in Judaea and, despite their overtly Pagan imagery, were accepted by the Jewish authorities as payment for the annual Temple tax. The infamous "30 pieces of silver" paid to Judas for betraying Jesus would likely have been Tyrian issues. This shekel was minted after the generally accepted dates for the crucifixion, April of either AD 30 or 33; however, Pontius Pilate was prefect in Judaea until AD 36, so a case could be made for the crucifixion occuring any year between AD 30 and 36.