4 BC–AD 40 Bronze Salomé “Dance of the Seven Veils” Coin

One Of The Most Seductive Coins In Ancient History

The Bible is to Christians and Jews alike the written word of God. It’s full of miracles, stories of wonder, and prophesies that still to this day have a meaningful impact on our lives. It’s also a book full of sordid tales of violence and sex—and one of the most salacious of those stories is the tale of “The Dance of the Seven Veils” in which Salomé, the daughter of King Herod Anitpas’ second wife, seductively dances for the avaricious king in order to extort a bloody request and gain a slice of revenge for her wicked mother.

The Biblical Story Of Herod, Salomé And St. John The Baptist

As recounted in Chapter 14 of the New Testament book of Matthew, Herod divorced his first wife so that he could marry his brother’s widow, the captivatingly beautiful Herodias. St. John the Baptist accuses Herod of committing adultery—and is none too quiet about his accusations. In a typical despotic strongman move, Herod attempts to shut John up by arresting him and imprisoning him in a deep, dank dungeon. This was not enough to satisfy the vengeful Herodias, however. Knowing that her new husband lusts after her daughter Salomé (Herod’s niece/step-daughter), she encourages Salomé to perform for the depraved king on his birthday in a dance so seductive that Herod swears he will give the girl anything she desires including up to half of his kingdom if she continues to dance. Instead of land or wealth, however, Salomé asks for the head of John the Baptist. Though reluctant to have the popular prophet executed, Herod was so besotted by his desire for the young temptress, that he has the prophet’s head served to Salomé on a platter, which she promptly presents to her mother.

Though the Bible does not mention Salomé’s erotic performance as being “The Dance of the Seven Veils,” it has come to be recognized as such through the works of a play written by Oscar Wilde in 1891, and an opera composed by Richard Strauss in 1905. The story has been granted new life in television and motion pictures with various femme fatales playing the voluptuous role of Salomé, perhaps most famously by Brigid Bazlen in the 1961 film King of Kings that earned the coquettish Fond du Lac, Wisconsin native such accolades as being “the next Elizabeth Taylor” and “the new American Bardot.”

Ancient Bronze Coin From The Time And Place Of Actual Events

This ancient bronze coin comes from the Biblical time and place when those events actually happened. It was struck during the reign of Nabatean King Aretas IV, who ruled from 9 BC to AD 40. Aretas was the father of Herod’s first wife, Phasaelis, and was so enraged when his daughter was sent home in shame that he raised an army to topple Herod and his depraved kingdom. Aretas would have succeeded, too, if not for Roman intervention, which entered the fray on behalf of Herod and kept him installed as their puppet ruler in Judea.

This coin features the bust of Aretas IV on the obverse and a double or “crossed” cornucopia on the reverse. And, although it does not come with a grade, it has been certified as genuine by the American Numismatic Association (ANA) and comes in a clear acrylic holder and housed in a small clear box with a story card explaining the story of Herod and Salomé. Biblical scholars, lovers of history, and those who enjoy grand drama on an epic scale are sure to adore this coin. Unfortunately, quantities are limited so order yours now before they’re all gone!