Daniel in the Lion's Den
GERMANY, Jever (Herrschaft). Maria. 1536-1575. AR “Danielstaler” (41mm, 28.99 g, 6h). Dirk Iden, mintmaster. Dated 1567. Helmeted lion coat of arms, 6-7 across / Daniel seated right in lion’s den; above, angel flying left carrying prophet Habakuk, who holds food and drink. Merzdorf 46; Davenport 9340. VF, toned. Rare.
This “Danielstaler” depicts the Biblical story of Daniel, who was cast into a lion’s den by King Darius of Persia (Daniel 6:1-23). According to the story, Daniel was a skilled and distinguished administrator of Darius’ kingdom. Daniel’s colleagues (also administrators) became jealous of his growing influence. When they discovered that Darius was going to promote Daniel to the position of head administrator, they conspired to prevent the appointment. Through manipulation, they convinced Darius to issue an edict that forbade the worship of any god or man other than the king. As an exile from Judaea, Daniel would predictably fall afoul of this new law, as he prayed to God three times daily. In keeping with their plan, the conspiring administrators reported Daniel to King Darius, who meted out the punishment prescribed by the edict: a night spent in the lion’s den. Daniel was sealed in the den overnight and left to fight off the hungry lions. When Darius went to the den the next morning, he found Daniel had survived without a scratch. Daniel reported that, because of his strong faith, God had sent a guardian angel to protect him during the night. The reverse of this coin captures the moment when the angel entered the lion’s den to help Daniel.
