¼ Shekel - Shelemyah Samaria 539 BC - 332 BC
| Silver | 3.63 g | - |
| Issuer | Satrapy of Samaria (Achaemenid Satrapies) |
|---|---|
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 539 BC - 332 BC |
| Value | ¼ Shekel |
| Currency | Shekel (539-332 BCE) |
| Composition | Silver |
| Weight | 3.63 g |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-10 |
| Numista | N#125617 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Stag crouching right, head turned back, facing head of Bes between horns, in left field, all in square border
Lettering: של
Translation: S[h]l[emiyah]
Comment
Shelemyah is named in one of the Elephantine letters from 408 BCE as a son of Sanballat, who may have struck them 30 years later. Shelemyah was also a popular Hebrew name.David Hendin Guide to Biblical Coins, p 110
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about this coin is that it was used as a form of currency during the Achaemenid Empire, which was the first multicultural empire in history, spanning across three continents and leaving a lasting impact on the cultures it touched.