The most authentic re-creation of the betrayer’s bag available. The Shekel of Tyre. This was a man-made stipulation and not one given in Scripture. Nevertheless, the primary coin in Jesus’ day that qualified for the silver content was the shekel of Tyre. The Tyrian shekel was a silver coin that was minted in the Phonecian city of Tyre and was produced from 126 B. On one side the shekel had the head of Melqart, the god of Tyre, also known as “Baal” or Heracles. ” The reverse side showed an eagle and was inscribed with the statement “Tyre, the Holy and Inviolable. This coin created an issue with religious Jews of Jesus’ day. The inscriptions were contrary to the second commandment for not making graven images. The shekel was engraved with a depiction of a “foreign” god as well as an eagle. It was further offensive because it called Tyre the holy city. It was also most likely 30 Shekels of Tyre, coins that had been paid to the Temple by sincere worshippers, which were now used to pay Judas for the betrayal of Christ. There are four Bible stories that involve this coin. Jesus cleansing the Temple (early in His ministry), turning over the moneychanging tables and using a whip to run out the merchants and animals (John 2:13-22). Jesus cleansing the Temple (later in His ministry), again turning over the moneychanging tables (Matthew 21:12-17, Mark 11:15-19, and Luke 19:45-48). Judas being paid with 30 pieces of silver to betray Jesus (Matthew 26:14-16). The coin used in each of these stories was most likely the shekel of Tyre (also known as the Tyrian shekel, the Tyros shekel, or Tetradrachms). This is a re-creation based on historical evidence. Made of genuine leather.