Shekel
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Shekel or sheqel is an ancient Mesopotamian coin, usually of silver. A shekel was first a unit of weight—very roughly 11 grams —and became currency in ancient Tyre and Carthage and then in Hasmonean Judea.
An electrum Carthaginian shekel, c. 310–290 BC, bearing the image of Tanit, consort of Baal Hammon
Shekel from the First Jewish–Roman War with the legend לגאלת ציון, "To the redemption of Zion", in Paleo-Hebrew script, at the Rockefeller Archeological Museum
First Jewish–Roman War
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The First Jewish–Roman War, sometimes called the Great Jewish Revolt, or The Jewish War, was the first of three major rebellions by the Jews against the Roman Empire fought in Roman-controlled Judea, resulting in the destruction of Jewish towns, the displacement of its people and the appropriation of land for Roman military use, as well as the destruction of the Jewish Temple and polity.
Roman-era ballista (reconstructed at Gamla)
A coin issued by the rebels in 68, note Paleo-Hebrew alphabet. Obverse: "Shekel, Israel. Year 3." Reverse: "Jerusalem the Holy"
Roman milestone mentioning the destruction of highways during the revolt
The treasures of Jerusalem taken by the Romans (detail from the Arch of Titus).