German Commemoratives Part II

[regandon]

Part II of Collecting German Commemorative coins

Bavarian Commemoratives
If your into collecting German commemoratives, than the German State of Bavaria had minted many of them during the mid to late 1800’s. Commemoratives from this German State are very interesting and of historical importance to the people of Germany. There are 2 Gulden, ½ Thalers, Thalers (Taler) and Double Thaler coins to chose from. Most important, is that the majority of the Bavarian commemoratives are affordable. Ranging from $200 in AU-58 to many thousands of dollars in high mint state grade. You will find yourself buying AU grades over mint state when looking at buying the Double Thalers. The price jumps quite high from AU-55 / 58 to MS-65. Even if you do have a hefty bank account, the price of an MS-65 could help bring your bank account down very fast.

Here is a list of commemoratives I find very interesting.
1) The very affordable 1855 (KM#465) 2 Gulden that commemorates the Restoration of the Madonna Column in Munich.
2)The following three Thalers could fall into the variety classification for variety collectors. All three of the Thalers are not dated, and with no the denomination on the coin.
A) The ND (1806-1808) School prize ½ Thaler KM# 348
B) The ND (1807-1808) School prize ½ Thaler KM# 353
C) The ND (1808-1837) School prize ½ Thaler KM# 357
3) The 1825 Thaler (KM# 370) Commemorative of Coronation of Ludwig I
4) The 1827 Thaler (KM# 380) Commemorative of Founding of the Order Of Ludwig
5) The 1827 Thaler (KM# 381) Commemorative of Founding of the Theresien Order
6) This is one of the most popular commemorative Thalers. The 1828 (KM# 386) Blessing of the Royal Family.
7) The 1830 Thaler (KM# 393) Loyalty of the Bavarians to the Royal Family
8) This 1835 Thaler is the major variety coin of the series. It commemorates the monument in Munich to King Maximillian Josef. Some of the coins show the King with his Scepter not beyond his shoulder. They are KM# 411.1 and 411.2
9) This 1842 Double Thaler is the other major variety coin of the series. It commemorates the marriage of the Crown Prince of Bavaria and Marie, the Royal Princess of Prussia. One coin show the date of marriage as Oct. 1st, which was in error. The other coin has the correct date of Oct. 12th

These next commemoratives are of very important historical events.
1) The 1833 Thaler (KM# 404) Commemorative of Monument for Bavarians who had Fell in Russia
2) The 1835 Thaler (KM# 410) Commemorative of Construction of the First Steam Railway
3) The 1835 Thaler (KM# 412) Commemorative of School given to Benedictine Order
4) The 1871 Thaler (KM# 496) Commemorative of German Victory in The Franco-Prussian War
5) The 1839 Double Thaler (KM# 425) Commemorative of Maximillian I as Elector of Bavaria
6) The 1843 Double Thaler (KM# 434) Commemorative of 100th Anniversary Academy of Erlangen
7) The 1844 Double Thaler (KM# 437) Commemorative of Completion of the General’s Hall in Munich
8) The 1848 Double Thaler (KM# 443) Commemorative of Abdication of Ludwig I for Maximillian
9) The 1846 Double Thaler (KM# 441) Commemorative of the Completion of the Canal Between Danube and Main Rivers
10) The 1856 Double Thaler (KM# 467) Commemorative of Erection of Monument to King Maximillian II
11) The 1848 Double Thaler (KM# 447.1) Commemorative of New Constitution. There is a variety of this coin. KM# 447.2 with edge lettering CONVENTION-VOM

There are many more commemorative coins during this time period, than what I’ve listed within this article. Do your research first to make things easier. Decide if you only want to collect the ½ Thalers or the large Double Thalers. There are fake copies on the market of these popular coins. If you do not have the knowledge of knowing a fake coin from a real one. Than buy one that’s been graded by PCGS or NGC. The fun part of collecting commemoratives, is that you learn history and gain much knowledge to boot.

[Daniel]

Yes, collecting coins will give you knowledge of history and important World events. Great article. How much is a Thaler in U.S. Dollars?

[regandon]

Yes, collecting coins will give you knowledge of history and important World events. Great article. How much is a Thaler in U.S. Dollars?

A litte history first. The Thaler was replaced in 1871 after Germany unified. During this time the Germans reformed their coinage system. The Thaler was changed to the Vereinsthaler, and in 1908 the Vereinsthaler was changed to the 3 Mark. It was of the same weight and size of the Vereinsthaler. It's said that even in the 1930's that the German people still called the 3 Mark coin a Thaler.

100 Pfennig = 1 Mark
100 Pennies = 1 Dollar

To tell you how much a Thaler back then was worth to a US Dollar back in the 1800's, I do not know. I would think it would have traded as a dollar in the US in the 1800's. As I stated, I realy do not know, but I will find out.