Owner Comments:
One fine early morning, King Ludwig slowly strolled through his garden and thought to himself amid beautiful flowers and pristine Greek statues. “It seems like it is not a simple task to be a King. My entire nation expects great actions, and I must serve Bavaria! But what must be done? It must be a historic act, one to uplift the Kingdom and cement my role as a Great King to be held in reverence by future generations! Surely it is easier to be just the Crown Prince and have fun with scholarly colleagues at Landshut University, drinking, hugging young girls, declaiming poetry and discussing the academia of Aristotle.” Taking a deep breath, King Ludwig began to reminisce. “And furthermore, I had promised my old teacher Father Maximilian to aid him in the reorganization of my Alma Mater as soon as I attained the Kingship – so be it!” Ludwig retreated to his cabinet to compose a letter to Landshut.
By the time of the arrival of the old Minister, Ludwig had already prepared his plan of action. Coming together in the meeting room of the palace, Ludwig embraced his old professor Maximilian, the Count of Montgelas. “My dear friend, I am so glad you have come! Now we can discuss the bright future of our University. Recall that it is named proudly after my ancestor Ludwig the Wealthy of Bavaria-Landshut, and as Ludwig I of Bavaria, I am obligated to continue the educational mission of my father and great-grandfather! Tell me, old friend, what is your vision of the future of our University?” exclaimed Ludwig in his excitement. The old Minister Maximilian arose with tears in his eyes, saying, “It is so marvelous to see you, your majesty – daily we thank God for your generosity and love. As I had always told your Grace before, the university requires a great deal of reform. We have opened new faculties in Writing and Medicine, and have finally expanded our scholarship influence between simple German people. We have more than a thousand students on our campus, and my dream is finally coming true; I had always wanted to see our University not as a sacred society for Jesuits and Canonic Orders but as a Palace of Knowledge for the peoples of Bavaria, accessible to all. However, we must still expand the faculty and build new facilities… and with the great help of your majesty then the dream will come entirely true!”
“My dear friend,” exclaimed Ludwig, placing a noble hand on Maximilian’s shoulder, “I will do what I can do help Bavaria become the most educated nation in Germany! I will give you money, I will construct buildings, and I will create scholarships for farmers and simple people – but I have one condition: the University should be moved from Landshut to the Capital, to Munich! I am building this city as the cultural center for all German art, science, and education and we must have our own University! By the way, Landshut is not the original home of the University either, for King Maximilian I brought it from Ingolstadt in 1800 to protect it from the Napoleonic Invasion. And now, after the glorious defeat of France, it is time to bring it back not to Ingolstadt, but to Munich! This I say as King and Ruler.” Maximilan nodded in graceful acquiescence, “As Your Grace wishes. I shall return immediately and will present thy wish to the Board of Ministers. I am sure they will not object and we will start the relocation process as soon as possible!” King Ludwig smiled with great pride; now his name would be forever tied with the great names of his father and ancestors, the builders of the German foundation! He did not yet know yet that it would be the students of his very University that would play a great role in Ludwig’s abdication during the 1848 German Revolution… but it will be the history to come.
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We should also mention the name of the new Minister of the Religious and Secular Education, Eduard von Schenk, who was a right hand of King Ludwig in relocation process for the University. This noble man truly believed in important role of the education to raise all German Nation. In 1826 the University was finally moved to Munich and on November 15, 1826 its door was open for the students. The Grand opening had place in the former Jesuit College building but to the year of 1840 the University expanded by the both side Ludwigstrasse buit by famous bavarian architect Friedrich von Gartner.
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German Talers since 1800 by John S. Davenport
Bavaria, King Ludwig Series (1825 - 1848).
Taler 1826, REMOVAL OF THE UNIVERSITY
Davenport 557, KM 722, Thun 50, AKS 115, J.33
Commemoration of the removal of the Ludwig- Maximilian University from Landshut to Munich
Obverse: Head fo Ludwig to the right, LUDWIG I KOENIG VON BAYERN. ZEHN EINE FEINE MARK
Reverse: VERLEGUNG DER LUDWIG MAXIMILIANS HOCHSCHULE VON LANDSHUT NACH MUNCHEN. 1826 below in wreath.
28.0600 g., 0.8680 Silver, 0.7830 oz. ASW.
This is another example of the "Historical Talers" of King Ludwig I of Bavaria - to Commemorate the Relocations of the Ludwig Maximilian University from Landshut to Munich. This is another high-quality collectible -MS 64 grade per NGC is well-deserved for this gorgeous coin with clear uncirculated fields, amazing sharp detail of the design and satin luster through the surfaces. Touch of toning at the edges gives extra appealing look. Couple tiny contact marks and hairlines on obverse did not affect the grade. Great collectible and investment item!