SILVER HALF SHEKEL OF TYRE, "TEMPLE TAX"
Hendin 6651, DCA 921, About Extremely Fine, 21mm, 6.91 grams
Obverse: Laureate head of Melqart, wearing knotted lionskin around neck
Reverse: Eagle standing left with right foot on prow of ship, palm branch over right shoulder, date (36 = 91/90 B.C.E.) over club in field to left, surrounded by inscription TYPOY IEPAΣ KAI AΣYΛOY (OF TYRE THE HOLY AND INVIOLABLE), Δ in right field
Boldly struck coin with nice style portrait!
The Silver 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.
EX: William M .Rosenblum Rare Coins, Sale 33E, Dec. 11, 2003, Lot #237 with tag
