The Tyrian Half-Shekel carries one of the most debated identities in all of ancient numismatics, widely discussed as a candidate for the "thirty pieces of silver" of New Testament tradition. Tyre was the dominant commercial city of ancient Phoenicia, and its silver coinage was the standard temple currency across the Levant. This example is dated to year 142 of the Tyrian era, placing it in AD 16/17, well within the period of early Roman Judaea.

The obverse shows the laureate head of Melkart, the Phoenician city-god equated with Herakles, facing right. A beaded border frames the portrait, and despite heavy surface patination, the broad facial features and laurel wreath remain discernible. The reverse depicts an eagle standing left on the prow of a ship, wings closed, with Phoenician inscription and date letters surrounding the device. The eagle's head is boldly rendered, with strong detail in the feathers and beak visible in the close-up images.

NGC grades this coin Choice Very Fine with a Strike of 3 and Surface of 2. The lower surface score reflects the dark, mottled patina and surface granularity typical of excavated Levantine silver, while the strike retains enough definition to identify all major design elements. Tyrian Half-Shekels of this era are genuinely scarce in any certified grade, and their historical association with first-century Judaea draws collectors from well beyond traditional ancient coin circles. For those seeking an authenticated example of one of antiquity's most historically charged silver coins, this NGC-certified piece is a compelling choice. The coin pictured is the exact coin you will receive.

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