AR HALF SHEKEL OF TYRE, "TEMPLE TAX"
Hendin 6651, (GBC 5 - 1619), DCA 460, About Very Fine, 20.8mm, 6.92 grams, Struck year 14 - 113/112 B.C.E.
Obverse: Laureate head of Melqart, wearing knotted lionskin around neck
Reverse: Eagle standing left with right foot on prow of ship, palm branch over rt. shoulder, date (14 = 113/114 B.C.E.) and club in field to left, surrounded by inscription "OF TYRE THE HOLY AND INVIOLABLE", KP in right field
Nicely centered, FULL weight half shekel. A VERY RARE date, rated R2 in DCA.
The Silver Shekels of Tyre were the purest in the world at 97% - 99% silver and were thus the only coins accepted for the payment of the Temple Tax in Jerusalem.
