Owner Comments:
“… Something heavy pounded the chest - Thorwald felt for a split second the feeling of flying, but the impact of the ground he did not feel. Everything surrounding him suddenly became covered with a misty haze, as the clang of metal, shouting, and battlefield noise strangely disappeared and instead hung an eerie silence. For a few moments, the warrior waited to see what would happen next - when at once he felt a light touch on his face. His eyes opened slowly but his surroundings still lay wrapped in dark, yet he could see a faint glow emanating from somewhere afar off. The light laughter of women appeared above his head. The warrior could see through the heavy fog that two young women were eyeing him closely and speaking between themselves. “He’s a pretty one!… Let’s take him… I like him too!…” Thorwald wanted to say something in return, to answer, but he could not move a muscle as suddenly a bitter cold filled his entire body. Then, one of the beauties leaned over him, her full eyes flashing like diamonds when suddenly the warrior beheld, that upon the woman’s head rested a metallic helm and from behind her shoulder stretched a lengthy blued wing…”
Slamming the book shut, Ludwig relaxed in his chair and dreamily closed his eyes. “Valkyries, demons of Asgard, obedient slaves of Odin”.. How many times did he, when he was still a young Crown Prince, dream about being lifted on high by mystical horsemen, far above the ground, higher and higher beyond the reaches of the clouds, straight to the shimmering golden palaces of Valhalla where he, the King and Conqueror, would live out eternal life with feasts and luxury - glorious conversations with the Gods and heroes of former battles and wars! The only thing that harmed and hindered the Crown Prince’s dream was the precondition that attaining the lofty heights of Odin’s Valhalla only occurred in one way only - to become a hero and to lay down his life on the field of battle. Ludwig never had any troubles being a hero of the realm - it was the death part that seemed much more unpleasant. He hated the idea of dying in a fatal struggle with a superior foe. But even after a heroic death, not all warriors entered Valhalla! As the legend goes, the Goddess Freya would take half of the fallen heroes for herself to that garden of love eternal, Folkvangr. Oh,no! Ludwig could not wait. He needed Valhalla here on Earth, and he needed it now - not later and then maybe.
He rushed to find his father. “A wonderful idea!” - exclaimed papa Maximilian, who evidently was in a good mood, so the idea of constructing a palace to honor the fallen heroes of Germanic lands fell favorably upon him. In addition, it would serve them well to remind Napoleon that Germany had not yet fallen under his foot, that patriots did indeed remain in the land.”Tomorrow we will gather all of the famous sculptors and order busts of Germany’s greatest sons - my historian Johann von Muller will help in the selection of the heroes and in time, the palace will stand!” Inside the head of Ludwig, the project was already completed - of course it will be in Greek style with large columns and stairways, with an enormous hall within, having walls upon walls of portraits of philosophers, heroes, wise men, poets, and himself - Ludwig, King of Bavaria would stand in the center of them all, as an equal among equals!
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Ludwig’s dream came true - his majestic monument welcomes everybody who climbs the snow-white staircase under the temple arches, passing through the colonnade and getting to the hall where the heroes of the German lands beginning with Arminius defeated the Romans in the Teutoburg Forest of the 9th century, and ending with Heine and Stein - they remind all of the priceless deposit made by the German peoples into the vault of world history for the good of all humanity. The edifice made in Neo-classical style was constructed in the period from the year 1826 to 1842, made in resemblance to the Greek Parthenon - the favorite style of the King of Bavaria. 96 busts and 64 plaques were made available for its unveiling and opening, providing elaborate descriptions of persons and events. Despite the fact that many Germanic heroes lived in different parts of the world, they were all united by one common element - love of Germany and honor towards their German-speaking ancestors. And of course, the memorial Taler with the image of Valhalla - the Valhalla of King Ludwig!
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German Talers since 1800 by John S. Davenport.
Bavaria, King Ludwig Series (1825 - 1848).
2 Taler 1842, WALHALLA.
Davenport 587, KM 811, Thun 80, AKS 103, J.71, Schw. 27.
To Commemorate erection of Palace of Valhalla.
Obverse: Head of the Ludwig to the right, LUDWIG I KOENIG VON BAYERN.
Reverse: WALHALLA, Parthenon-like building on terraces, 1842 below.
Edge: ** VII E.F.M. ** DREY-EINHALB GULDEN.
37.1200 g., 0.9000 Silver, 1.0740 oz. ASW.
PCGS MS 62.
Large uncirculated coin, 2 Thalers of Ludwig I of Bavaria, so-called "Historic Taler" - desirable piece for any German Coin collectors! Uncirculated fields with touch of pink champagne toning, shiny reflective fields, spectacular details of the design! Single contact marks and hairlines on the fields. Another great collectible and investment item!