Machatzis Hashekel

Each Jew was commanded to give one half shekel to the Bais Hamikdash each year. The Chazon Ish calculates that a shekel was 16 grams (.51 troy oz.) of silver [Yoreh De’ah 182:19)]. On Iyar 6, 5774 the price of silver was $19.61 USD per troy oz.

Question: How much is one half shekel in USD (to the nearest cent)?

Answer: .51 oz. x $19.61 = 10.0011 = $10.00