Tyrian Shekel
About Tyrian Shekel
The silver shekel of Tyre was the most trusted silver coin in the eastern Mediterranean. Featured Melqart on the obverse and an eagle on the reverse. The Tyrian shekel maintained consistent weight and purity for nearly 200 years. Jewish authorities required the temple tax to be paid in Tyrian shekels, giving them religious significance. The coin was so trusted that it circulated far beyond Phoenicia. Production ended when Nero reformatted provincial coinage.
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