Owner Comments:
King Ludwig of Bayern and His Majesty, King Wilhelm I of Wurttemberg were sitting around a big table laden with wine and fruits in the central room of the palace. While holding a glass of fine wine in one hand, Wilhelm continued his speech about the coming economic challenges for the Southern German States: “...And the danger comes, of course, from our Big Brothers, Prussia and Austria! I would like to remind Your Majesty about His legacy towards his noble Father, Maximillian of Bavaria, God bless his soul. He was a very wise man and as soon as the Napoleonic War was over, he started talking about an economic reunion between the lands of Bavaria and Wurttemberg! I understood that past this idea did not work well in the past - we were too separate after the war, but times have changed! Prussia and Austria have already sign a trade agreement and they are thinking to take over the rest of German Land! We should move forward quickly! We need to create the Union and Freedom of trade in Southern Germany!”.
“The idea to have freedom of trade is really great, as is my father’s memory. He always wanted to see our people freed from the bondage of customs and tariffs, inside Germany, at least! But don’t we lose a great deal of revenue if we abolish custom fees and tariffs? I need a lot of money to rebuild and renovate Munich, the Capital…” said King Ludwig as he slowly chewed a grape in solemn thought. “Not at all, your Grace! We will remove internal tariffs but compensate for the loss in revenue by increasing external fees and custom rules. I am talking about trading with France, England and, of course, Northern German States. We are the South! We possess the power of mines and industry!” exclaimed King Wilhelm as he stood up with excitement.
“Very well, very well,” said Ludwig. Though he was listening intently to Wilhelm, his thoughts moved in a very different direction. “If he will unite the Southern German Lands under a Trading Agreement, which would help to boost the economy and make people richer and happier, then later it could be possible to unite all political power in one hand as well! And he is the one who can spread wealth and happiness to all of his citizens in loving Bavaria, and all of the German states! There would be abundance and nourishment for all, like from an antique cornucopia” Ludwig arose, saying, “I will definitely make a new coin, something in the classical antique style; perhaps a couple cornucopias and may be Caduceus as a symbol of negotiation and commerce… I must discuss the design with my engraver. My friend, I will make preparations for the Trade Agreement as soon as possible, for we will call it the Customs Treaty! We will sign it and honor my father legacy, by pursuing wealth and prosperity in our lands! And now I would like to show you some of the new paintings in my art gallery which I recently brought from Italy.”
In 1828 a Customs Union was set up between Bavaria and Wurttemberg but unfortunately at the same year Prussia, Austria and other Northern States start moving forward in development of Zollverein – the German Customs Union which eventually brought Prussia to the forefront of political power in Germany. But this is a story of its own. More to follow…
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German Talers since 1800 by John S. Davenport
Bavaria, King Ludwig Series (1825 - 1848).
Taler 1827, CUSTOMS TREATY
Davenport 559, KM 731, Thun 52, AKS 116, J.34
Commemoration of the Bavarian - Wurttemberg Custom Union of 1827-1828.
Obverse: Head fo Ludwig to the right, LUDWIG I KOENIG VON BAYERN. ZEHN EINE FEINE MARK
Reverse: BAYERISCH -- WURTEMBERGISCHER ZOLLVEREIN, GESCHLOSSEN 1827 ( Bavarian - Wurttemberg custom union, formed 1827) , two cornucorias with caduceus on the center.
28.0600 g., 0.83300 Silver, 0.7515 oz. ASW.
Clear fields, slightly toned, uncirculated with minimal hairlines from light swipping.