TRIVIA: The Last King of Bavaria's Special Golden Wedding Anniversary Coin

The Last King of Bavaria's Special Golden Wedding Anniversary Coin

In 1913 Ludwig Luitpold Josef Maria Aloys Alfried became the Prince Regent of Bavaria (Bayern) succeeding his father, Prince Regent Luitpold who died on December 12, 1912.

At his swearing-in ceremonies, Ludwig assumed the title Prince Regent Ludwig III von Bayern.

At his side was his wife Maria Theresa, former Archduchess of Austria-Este, whom Ludwig had married on February 20, 1868.

Did you notice the reference last King in the heading above?

Almost immediately certain elements in the press, Bavarian society, influential business leaders and political partisans, throughout the territory, called for Ludwig to be installed as King of Bavaria instead of Prince Regent. The Bavarian Legislature had already ended its 1912 session and would not reassemble until September 29, 1913. On November 4, 1913, the Legislature amended the constitution of Bavaria to include a clause specifying, If a regency for reasons of incapacity had lasted for ten years with no expectation that the king would ever be able to reign, the regent could proclaim the end of the regency and the demise of the crown, with such action to be ratified by the Legislature. The amendment received broad party support in the Lower Chamber where it was carried by a vote of 122 yas in favor, and 27 neines against. The Senate produced only six neines against the amendment. The next day, November 5, 1913, Ludwig proclaimed to the Legislature the end of the regency and deposed his cousin King Otto. The Legislature recognized Ludwig as King Ludwig III of Bavaria.

Bavaria had belonged to the German Empire since 1871 and was consequently forced to participate in World War I. With the proclamation of the Free State of Bavaria on 7 November 1918, Ludwig was removed as king. The monarchy was abolished and the king banished. Thus Ludwig III was the last King of Bavaria.

During his leadership, he authorized the Munich Mint (mint mark D) to strike the following coins:

Following photo links courtesy of Worldcoingallery:

1914-D silver 2 Mark - 28mm, 0.3215 ounce Actual Silver Weight. (573,533 for circulation - unknown amount of proofs)

BAVARIA 1914-D SILVER 2 MARKS - LUDWIG III

1914-D silver 3 Mark - 33mm, 04823 oz. ASW. (717,460 circulation - unknown amount proofs)

BAVARIA 1914-D SILVER 3 MARK - LUDWIG III

1913-D and 1914-D silver 5 Mark - 38mm, 0.8037 oz. ASW. (142,500 circulation)

BAVARIA 1913-14 D SILVER 5 MARKS - LUDWIG III

1914-D gold 20 Mark - 22.5mm, 0.2305 oz. AGW. (532,851 circulation - inknown amount proofs). No photo available, but same designs obverse and reverse as the silver coins.

In 1918 King Ludwig III authorized a special silver 3 Mark (33mm, 0.4823 oz. ASW) commemorative coin (only 130 minted) be issued to celebrate his and Queen Maria Theresa's Golden (50 years) Wedding Anniversary

Because only 130 of these were minted, I was unable to locate a photo. Here's a desription:

If you have a Krause 1901-2000 WORLD COINScatalog you can turn to the German States section, locate Bavaria and find KM# 1010 (previous to 2010 edition reference number KM# 523). The obverse bears the jugate heads of King Ludwig III and Queen Maria Theresa facing right with the dates 1868-1918 centered inside the rim at 6:00 o'clock. The legend Circling the rim of the coin from approximately 7:00 o'clock to 5:00 o'clock reads "LUDWIG III MARIE THERESE V BAYERN." The reverse features the Crowned Imperial Eagle with shield on breast and the text "DREI MARK" centered at 6:00 just inside rim. The legend, partially encircling the coin, just inside the rim, reads from about 9:00 o'clock to 3:00 o'clock "DEUTCHES REICH 1918."
Here's a photo of a painting of Ludwig III when he was Prince Regent courtesy of Webshots (news.webshots.com)

PHOTO OF PAINTING OF LUDWIG III AS PRINCE REGENT

Here's a photo of a painting of Ludwig III as King courtesy of Webshots (news.webshots.com)

PHOTO OF A PAINTING OF LUDWIG III AS KING


Here's a photo of Queen Maria Theresa (Webshots photo):

PHOTO OF QUEEN MARIA THERESA

Here's a photo of King Ludwig III and Queen Maria Theresa (Webshots photo):

PHOTO OF KING LUDWIG III AND QUEEN MARIA THERESA

Thought you'd like to know...

Clinker

 

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thanks Clinker

 

Cannot contribute a photo either, as for some reason I don't have that coin. Here is an image of the piece - or rather of a "good" counterfeit. http://www.moneytrend.at/new/wmf/pdf/wmf 57.pdf So the actual coin looks pretty much like this piece. The original coin costs a five digit amount even in VF.

It was fairly common during WW1, especially in 1917/18, that such silver commems had very low mintages only. Additional pieces were to be issued after the, errm, German victory. The most famous example (also because of the theme and design) is a 3 M coin from Saxony issued in 1917 ...

Christian

 

THANKS, randygeki, AND have a very Merry Christmas!

Clinker

 

A great big T H A N K S! and a very Merry Christmas!

Clinker

 

As always ~ great post Clinker! I love that 5 Mark coin shown in the link! The toning and design go very well together - it is stunning!

Happy Holidays to you and your family!

 

Thanks AND a very Merry Christmas!!

Clinker

 

The piece in the link is not actually a coin. It is a 5 M pattern that Karl Goetz had designed, and then produced privately. The data (size, mintage, etc.) are right, but the actual coin looks pretty much like the 3 DM coin.

Christian