Roman Provincial Syria, Traditionally given to Mint of Tyre (but possibly Antioch), AR Tetradrachm, 101 A.D. 25mm, 14.23gm, axis: 6:00
Trajan, 98-117 A.D.
Obv: AUTOKR KAIC NEP TPAIANOC CEB GERM DAK. Laureate head of Trajan, right; club and eagle beneath.
Rx: DHMARC EX IE UPATAS G (= 5th TR P = 100/1 A.D. & 3rd consulship). Laureate bust of Melquart right, draped in lion-skin knotted at neck.
Cf. SGI 1088.
More than 200 years after its introduction, the Tetradrachm or "Shekel" of Tyre was reissued by Trajan.
Among those interested in tracing "Biblical" connections, earlier coins of this type are widely believed to have been the most likely coin with which Judas was paid his "30 pieces of silver". Due to its purity of silver at the time, that was the only coin acceptable for payment of the temple tax in Jerusalem. By the time of Trajan, however, it had been debased.