Tyrian Shekel

1st Century BCE–1st Century CE

Tyrian coins originated from the Roman Empire mint in Tyre (now in Lebanon). After the Empire closed the mint, they allowed the Jewish community to mint their own Tyrian shekels under the condition that the coins continued to bear the image of Herakles and the same text as under the Empire. In this way, the Roman authorities could ensure that the Jews did not have complete autonomy. The Tyrian shekel was replaced by coins from the First Jewish Revolt.

Ancient silver coin showing a laurel-wreathed profile on one side and an eagle standing on a thunderbolt with Greek inscriptions on the other side.

Credits

Source: gallica.bnf.fr / Bibliothèque nationale de France.

Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 2: Emerging Judaism.

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