Talent - Value

[mikbone]

I recently did some research on coinage during the time of Christ. And a talent is a huge sum of money.

A talent is a measurement of weight and is approximately -  from wikipedia:

The standard talent during the late Second Temple period  - 63.5 lbs

The heavy common talent used during New testament times was - 129 lbs 14 oz

For the standard talent that equals approximately 6000 silver Roman Denarii, or 3000 Phoenician Tyre Shekels.  

Denarii = 3.5 oz

Shekel = 11.4 oz

The standard wage during Jesus life was about 50 Denarii / year.  A affluent wage was 300 Denarii / year.

Modern conversion of a standard talent using today’s spot values:

About $ 18,300 USA if Silver

or $1,539,500 in Gold

When considering the parable of the talents.  It is interesting noting that the standard talent is about the weight of a child.  And a heavy common talent is about the weight of a healthy adult woman.

 

And the value of 30 pieces of silver (the Shekel) $180 USA

Edited April 6, 2023 by mikbone

[mikbone]

Caesar Augustus reigned from 27 BC -14 AD is featured on the Heads on the Denarii above. Succeeded by Tiberius

The mythical figure Melkart AKA Hercules is featured on the Heads of the Shekel.  

 

From Wikipedia:

Melqart is likely to have been the particular Ba‘al found in the Tanakh (the Jewish Bible, specifically in 1 Kings16.31–10.26) whose worship was prominently introduced to Israel by King Ahab and largely eradicated by King Jehu.[citation needed] In 1 Kings 18.27, it is possible that there is a mocking reference to legendary Heraclean journeys made by the god and to the annual egersis("awakening") of the god:

And it came to pass at noon that Elijah mocked them and said, "Cry out loud: for he is a god; either he is lost in thought, or he has wandered away, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened."

Edited April 6, 2023 by mikbone