Obverse: Head of Melqarth - Reverse: Eagle standing on ships prow, palm across right wing, club to left with date above

Half Shekel - the currency of the Jerusalem Temple TAX for an adult every year

After the coinage of Tyre was debased under Roman control, some experts believe Herod the Great began to strike "Tyre" shekels in Jerusalem. These coins were of cruder fabric and style, but maintained the silver purity required to pay the temple tax. The Jerusalem shekels have the letters KP or KAP to the right of the eagle and dates range from PH (18/17 B.C.) to PKE (69/70 A.D.). The Greek letters KP or KAP are probably an abbreviation for KAICAP, Greek for Caesar.

The Temple Tax Coin ".go to the sea and cast a hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou has opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them [the temple tax collectors] for me and thee." Since the tax was one half shekel per man the coin would have to be a shekel to pay the tax for both Jesus and Peter. Matthew 17:24-27

Found near Jerusalem, Holy Land

Condition: One side is not very clear while the other side is very fine with sharp details as shown in the pictures

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