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The shekel (also spelled sheqel) refers to one of many ancient units of weight. It most commonly refers to an ancient Hebrew unit of weight. A Hebrew shekel is equal to roughly half an ounce. It can be gold or silver coin equal in weight to one of these units, especially the chief silver coin of the Hebrews.
Silver Tyrian shekels are thought to be the infamous '30 pieces of silver' given by the temple elders to Judas in the Bible.
More recently, the shekel also refers to currency of the modern state of Israel, implemented in 1980 to replace the Israeli Pound. See New Israeli Sheqel.
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