Nomos 22

KINGS OF ARMENIA MINOR. Aristobulus, with Salome, AD 54-92. Dichalkon (Bronze, 20 mm, 5.34 g, 12 h), Nicopolis-ad-Lycum, year 13 = 66/7. ΒΑCΙΛΕΩC ΑΡΙCΤΟΒΟVΛΟV ΕΤ ΙΓ Diademed and draped bust of Aristobulus to left. Rev. ΒΑCΙΛΙC-CΗC CΑΛΟΜΗC Diademed and draped bust of Salome to left. Hendin 1257a. Kovacs 300. RPC 3840. J. M. C. Toynbee, Roman Historical Portraits (London, 1978), pp. 151-152 and ill. 301-302. An exceptional example and one of the finest known. About extremely fine.

The infamous Queen Salome depicted on the reverse of this coin was the daughter of Herod II and Herodias, and the wife of Aristobulus of Chalkis. It is assumed that it was she who, at the instigation of her mother, requested the head of John the Baptist, causing his execution. According to the New Testament accounts (Mark 6:21-29 and Matthew 14:6-11), for performing a dance at his birthday feast, Herod Antipas promised to fulfil any request Salome might make. After consulting with her mother who held a grudge against John the Baptist for a remark he had made concerning her former husband, Herod II, Salome returned to the feast room and in front of the gathered guests requested John's head. Although he was not inclined to grant the request, Herod Antipas could hardly refuse it since its promise of fulfilment had been made in front of so many of those in attendance. He therefore sent guards to dispatch John, and they soon returned with the grisly gift of John's head delivered to Salome on a platter.