'Shekel' definitions:

Definition of 'shekel'

noun

The basic unit of money in Israel

From: GCIDE

Shekel \Shek"el\, n. [Heb. shegel, fr. sh[=a]gal to weigh.]
1. An ancient weight and coin used by the Jews and by other nations of the same stock. [1913 Webster]
Note: A common estimate makes the shekel equal in weight to about 130 grains for gold, 224 grains for silver, and
450 grains for copper, and the approximate values of the coins are (gold) $5.00, (silver) 60 cents, and (copper half shekel), one and one half cents. [1913 Webster]
2. pl. A jocose term for money. [1913 Webster]

Shekel weight, the common standard both of weight and value among the Hebrews. It is estimated at 220 English grains, or a little more than half an ounce avoirdupois. The "shekel of the sanctuary" (Ex. 30:13; Num. 3:47) was equal to twenty gerahs (Ezek. 45:12). There were shekels of gold (1 Chr. 21:25), of silver (1 Sam. 9:8), of brass (17:5), and of iron (7). When it became a coined piece of money, the shekel of gold was equivalent to about 2 pound of our money. Six gold shekels, according to the later Jewish system, were equal in value to fifty silver ones.
The temple contribution, with which the public sacrifices were bought (Ex. 30:13; 2 Chr. 24:6), consisted of one common shekel, or a sanctuary half-shekel, equal to two Attic drachmas. The coin, a stater (q.v.), which Peter found in the fish's mouth paid this contribution for both him and Christ (Matt. 17:24, 27). A zuza, or quarter of a shekel, was given by Saul to Samuel (1 Sam. 9:8).