Shekel
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Half_Shekel-Taras-Hannibalic_occupation-Vlasto_0971.jpg
Half_Shekel-Taras-Hannibalic_occupation-Vlasto_0971.jpg
Silver half-shekel struck in the Greec Colony of Taras, during the Punic occupation. Punic coinage was based on the shekel.
Shekel (or sheqel) refers to one of many ancient units of weight. It most commonly refers to an ancient Hebrew unit of weight. As with many ancient units, the shekel represented a variety of values depending on date, domain and region. Sources quote weights between 9 and 17 grams and values of 11, 14, and 17 grams are common. It can be a gold or silver coin equal in weight to one of these units, especially the chief silver coin of the Hebrews.
Silver Tyrian shekels are thought to be the infamous "30 pieces of silver" in the New Testament.
More recently, the shekel also refers to currency of the modern state of Israel, implemented in 1980 to replace the Israeli Pound, see New Israeli Sheqel article.