Judaea, The Jewish War. Silver 1/2 Shekel (6.77 g), 66-70 CE. Jerusalem, year 3 (68/9 CE). 'Half of a shekel' (Paleo-Hebrew), ritual chalice with pearled rim, the base raised by projections on both ends; above, 'year 3'. Reverse: 'Jerusalem the holy' (Paleo-Hebrew), staff with three pomegranate buds, round base. Hendin 1362; Deutsch 8 (O1, R8), Deutsch's recent study shows only 105 year 3 half-shekels known; TJC 203. Attractive old cabinet toning. Extremely Fine / Very Fine. Value $7,500 - UP
The Temple Tax was required of Jewish males over age 20, and the money was used for the upkeep and maintenance of the temple. In Exodus 30:13-16, God told Moses to collect this tax at the time of the census taken in the wilderness. In 2 Kings 12:5-17 and Nehemiah 10:32-33, it seems the Temple Tax was paid annually, not just during a census. This half-shekel tax wasn't a large sum of money, but roughly equivalent to two days' wages. Before the First Revolt, the Temple Tax could only be paid using Shekels or Half Shekels of Tyre. During the First Revolt, Judaean coins were used to pay the Temple Tax for the first time.
Ex Mel Wacks Collection.