Daniel in the Lion's Den: 17th Annual Coin in the Bank of Israel's Biblical Art Series

There are few stories in the Bible which are used as a metaphorical reference as much as that of Daniel in the Lion's Den. The tale, from chapter 6 of the Book of Daniel, is an amazing one of faith, loyalty and heroism and was chosen by the Bank of Israel as the theme for the 17th annual issue in its Biblical Art Coin Series. The coin is designed by Aharon Shevo. It has on the obverse the denomination, "Israel" in English, Hebrew and Arabic, the date, Israel's State Emblem and a hungry, roaring lion. The reverse is a stylized representation of Daniel, at the base of a sealed lions' den, praying to the Lord, flanked but unharmed by two roaring lions.

There are four variants (two gold and two silver) available: One of the gold coins is in the popular smallest gold coins of the world category, a 1/25 ounce .999 pure gold 1 New Sheqel measuring 13.92 mm. The three others are the traditional .917 gold (22 kt) 10 New Sheqel and sterling silver 2 and 1 New Sheqels.

Coin Specifications

Metal and Finish Face value Mint Mark Diameter Weight Maximum Mintage

Gold/917 22k, Proof NIS 10 "מ" (Mem) 30mm 16.96g 555

Gold/999, Proof NIS 1 "מ" (Mem) 13.92mm 1.244g 5,000

Silver/925, Proof NIS 2 "מ" (Mem) 38.7mm 28.8g 2,800

Silver/925, Proof-like NIS 1 Star of David 30mm 14.4g 1,800

Sets of all three coins and of the of two silver coins are also being offered.

Daniel was a handsome, intelligent boy of royal descent, who was exiled from his birthplace in the Land of Israel before the destruction of the First Temple in Jerusalem in 586 BCE. He grew up in the palace of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, became a favorite of the King and later, the interpreter of the King's dreams. For this, he was appointed head of the King's wise men and the Kingdom of Babylon.

When Nebuchadnezzar died, his son Belshazar inherited the throne. One night, Belshazar made a great banquet for a thousand people (Book of Daniel, Chapter 5). After having had too much wine, he ordered that the vessels of the Temple in Jerusalem taken as plunder by his father, be brought out and used. At that very moment, a hidden hand began to write words on the wall. Nobody was able to interpret their meaning except Daniel. Only he was able to read and explain the significance of the writing: The words "Mene Mene Teqel Ufarsin" predicted the fall of the Babylonian Empire and its conquest by Persia and Modai. That very night, Belshazzar was killed and Darius the Mede succeeded to the throne. Darius, like his predecessors, appointed Daniel as Head of his Counselors and in sole charge of the empire.

Out of sheer envy, Daniel's rivals then sought his downfall. A decree was initiated by the King's Counselors with the King's agreement, that no-one was to offer prayer to any god or man except him for a period of thirty days. Any person violating this decree would be thrown into the lions' den. When Daniel remained faithful to God and continued praying to Him three times daily, his rivals spoke slander of him before the King, and despite his affection for Daniel, the King now had no choice but to have him thrown into the lions' den.

That night, the King could not sleep and at the crack of dawn, he went to the lions' den to see what had become of Daniel. To his relief and joy, Daniel, rewarded by God for his faith and loyalty, was there in the den, untouched by the fierce lions. The King admired the God of Daniel and decreed that He was to be revered. He ordered that Daniel's rivals be thrown into the den, upon which. they were instantly devoured by the lions. Daniel continued to serve as executive officer to Darius the Mede and later, Cyrus, King of Persia. For more information on all the Coin and Medal issues of Israel visit israelmint.com

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