The shekel is first mentioned in Genesis, when Abraham gives Ephron "four hundred shekels of silver current with the merchant". Simon established the first recorded right of the Jews to strike their own coins. In the year 66 the Jews began a war against the tyranny of the Roman Procurators. Using the treasure of the Temple in Jerusalem, the Jews cast silver coins. Heeding the Second Commandment, they placed symbols on their shekel. A shekel weighs about 14 grams.

The face shows a footed ceremonial chalice on a delicate stem, with a faint beaded rim. The inscription above the bowl of the cup reads "Shekel of Israel" "year 3" in ancient Hebrew. The reverse depicts three pomegranates on a single stem, in transition from flower to fruit. It is inscribed "Jerusalem, the Holy".

DIMENSIONS: Coin: ⅞" DIAMETER and length from coin to end is ¾". Silver-plated.

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