CNG 109, Lot: 354. Estimate $750. Sold for $1000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

PHOENICIA, Tyre. 126/5 BC-AD 65/6. AR Half Shekel (21mm, 7.02 g, 1h). Dated CY 37 (90/89 BC). Laureate head of Melkart right, [lion skin around neck] / Eagle standing left on prow, palm frond over right wing; to left, ZΛ (date) above club; monogram to right, Phoenician B between legs. DCA-Tyre 761 var. (letter between legs is retrograde); HGC 10, 358; DCA 921. Good VF, minor porosity, light marks. Very rare.

From the Gasvoda Collection. Ex Triton XVI (7 January 2013), lot 563.

From the consignor: The temple tax for each adult male was a half shekel annually. While shekels are rather common, the half shekel is surprisingly seen with much less frequency. This coin served as an exhibit specimen for presentations I made on biblical coinage.