What is phoenician shekel?

Phoenician shekel was a type of currency used in the ancient Phoenician city-states, primarily in present-day Lebanon and its surrounding regions, dating back to the 4th century BC. It was made of electrum, a natural occurring blend of gold and silver, which gives it a yellowish color. The shekel was a unit of weight and measurement, which was also used in commercial transactions and trade. The Phoenician shekel had a standardized weight of 11.0 grams, which is equivalent to around 0.38 ounces. There were also smaller denominations known as half shekel or quarter shekel. The Phoenician shekel was widely recognized and accepted in the trading routes of the Mediterranean region and was used for centuries until it was replaced by other currencies such as the Greek drachma and Roman denarius. Today, Phoenician shekels are considered valuable historical artifacts, and some are still found in archaeological sites in Lebanon and other parts of the Middle East.