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[Urine Man]

How much is 50 shekels of silver to 2017 USD?

[jimwalton]

An annual salary for an artisan or laborer (like a shepherd) was at the most about 10 shekels a year in about 1800 BC. Therefore a bride price of about 50 shekels was 5-7 years' salary.

When I Google "Average American Salary for a laborer," I get: "The median annual General Laborer salary is $30,569, as of November 28, 2017, with a range usually between $26,519-$36,362, however this can vary widely depending on a variety of factors."

So if I take $30k and multiply by 5 & 7, I get a bride price of $150K-$210K.

But the bride price varied depending on the status and wealth of the bride-to-be's family. 50 shekels may have been a standard amount, but other items were probably exchanged as well, such as jewelry or animals.