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This year, give a gift over 2000 years old that is believed
to be the same coin type that forever changed history.
Historically, Christmas is a time of joy and celebration of the
birth of Jesus Christ, undeniably the most famous figure in all history. And
while this time of the year is about giving, there’s no more perfect way to
carry the meaning of Christmas as a daily reminder than with the Tyre Shekel.
Jesus’ birth started the story, but his death changed history. And no man played
one of the most crucial roles in Jesus’ death than Judas Iscariot, a disciple
with Jesus until his betrayal at the Last Supper for 30 pieces of silver.
In Jesus’ time, the most universally recognized circulated coin
was the Greek silver tetradrachm, which literally means “four drachms”
(pronounced DRAMS). For almost 200 years, the historic coin was minted in Tyre
by the Phoenecians. From 126 B.C. until 70 A.D., the silver tetradrachm became
the universal currency accepted throughout the Roman Empire. In currency terms,
the silver tetradrachm is the equivalent of the American dollar in today’s
global economy. In value terms, one of these coins roughly equaled a week’s
wages for a skilled laborer in those days.
The Jewish moneychangers of the time called them “shekels.” The
temple in Jerusalem accepted only the Tyre shekels as currency. Although
it has never been definitively proven, it is a virtual certainty that Judas
received Tyre shekels for his traitorous complicity. At the time, thirty shekels
equaled over half a year’s wages for skilled laborers. Viewed another way,
thirty shekels purchased a slave.
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Today, Biblical scholars are suggesting an alternative view to
Judas as avaricious traitor. While Biblical scripture portrays Judas as being
favorably inclined towards money, the new view of Judas suggests he may have had
grander motives than just doing it for the money. Judas had big ambitions
for himself and for Jesus. He believed that Jesus should lead a rebellion
to overthrow Rome. When victorious, Judas assumed Jesus would appoint him to an
important position in the new government. Since he was already treasurer among
the disciples, perhaps Judas even imagined Jesus would appoint him as chief
overseer of the new empire’s treasury!
However, in the hours before his betrayal, Judas
began to sense his plans may not come to pass. In the home of
Simon the leper, where the disciples were staying in Bethany, Mary
produced an alabaster vial filled with expensive perfume and began to lavish
it upon Jesus as he reclined at the table. Some of the disciples,
including Judas, became indignant at what they perceived as a waste of
resources.
The monetary value of the perfume was equivalent to about a years salary for a skilled laborer.
So, the disciples suggested the perfume be sold and the money given to
the poor. But Jesus admonished them for their suggestion, saying that
Mary was anointing him for his burial and that her tender act would be
spoken of in memory of her for all time to come wherever the gospel is
preached."
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