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Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, and said unto them, "What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you?" And they covenanted with him for 30 pieces of silver." (Matthew 26:14-15) The annual Jewish tribute tax to the Temple was half a shekel and could only be paid in half shekels and shekels of Tyre as the only currency accepted at the Jerualem temple, hence the money changers. Since silver shekels and half-shekels of Tyre were the only currency employed by the religious authorities in Jerusalem, they are considered by many the leading candidate for the Biblical "30 Pieces of Silver" paid to Judas Iscariot for betraying Jesus Christ. Tyrian shekels are all dated from the city's independence from Seleucid rule in 126 BC. |