Bavaria Thaler, Ludwig I
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1825-1848
Issuing entity
Kingdom of BavariaThe Bavaria Thaler of Ludwig I is a large silver coin issued by the Kingdom of Bavaria during the reign of King Ludwig I between 1825 and 1848. The issue includes a prominent and varied sequence of commemorative pieces commonly referred to as "history thalers," which celebrated historical occasions, prominent persons, and royal architectural achievements.
While the obverse of these coins portrays King Ludwig I, the reverse designs vary significantly depending on the issue. Commemorative strikes feature distinct pictorial motifs accompanied by explanatory event legends, differentiating them from standard circulating coinage of the period.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 2
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
King Ludwig I ascended the Bavarian throne in 1825 and ruled until his abdication in March 1848 amidst revolutionary unrest. A devoted patron of neoclassical buildings and the arts, his reign also witnessed major modernization efforts, including the construction of the Ludwig Canal and entry into the German Zollverein in 1834. Bavaria operated within the South German gulden currency system, which was reformed under the Munich Coinage Treaty of 1837. During this period of political and economic transformation, Bavaria struck an unusually diverse run of thalers to record important monuments, cultural developments, and state events.
Design
- Obverse
- Portrait of Ludwig I
- Reverse
- Varies by issue; commemorative types carry event legends
Identification
- Series
- Commemorative issues are identified by their reverse legend and date
- Recognition pointers (from background sources)
- Look for the obverse portrait depicting King Ludwig I of Bavaria. Verify the date of issue, which falls between 1825 and 1848. Distinguish commemorative issues by their unique reverse designs and dedicated event legends.
Documentation checklist
- Denomination
- Research required
- Issue or mint date
- Recorded
- Material
- Research required
- Weight
- Research required
- Mint or printer
- Research required
- Mint or printer mark
- Research required
- Catalogue reference
- Research required
- Attached photograph (check rights)
- Recorded
Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Full list of commemorative thaler types requires transcription from a verified specialist catalogue
- Weight and fineness standards under the relevant coinage conventions to be confirmed
- Catalogue numbers require transcription