Owner Comments:
As the flags fluttered, and the drums rumbled, frightened birds darted in all directions through the warm September sky – the Oktoberfest parade was in full swing! King Ludwig and his wife Theresa sat in an observation lodge festively decorated with flowers, watching as the neat ranks of brave Bavarian soldiers marched in full uniform across the main street in Munich, heading towards the city wall. There, in a big meadow at the foot of the hill , there were already set up many colorful tents, huge barrels of beer, music was playing and Bavarian girls were joyfully dancing the Zweifacher with the boys – all glorifying the marriage of the King and Queen! Fancy costumes, wigs, and camisoles flashed, simple peasant skirts, multicolored ribbons – the fun was in full.
“What a great idea it was to arrange military parades as part of the wedding celebration,” thought Ludwig, “let all the guests and the townspeople see the strength of our army and the Bavarian spirit!”
“Your Majesty!” – the First Minister leaned towards him – “A group of noble townspeople of the city of Erlangen asks you to kindly taste the new Kitzmann beer, specially prepared for our joyous holiday!” – and the Minister nodded towards a group of brightly dressed people led by a gray-haired Beermaster, his young entourage holding forth a newly opened barrel of beer that rested upon a special stretcher.
The King beamed in return, exclaiming, “Of course! Of course, let them come! My throat has been dry for far too long!” With this, a group of brewers timidly approached, as the Monarch was presented with a hefty stein filled to the brim with rich amber liquid. Ludwig took a sip and exhaled with supreme enjoyment. “Sumptuous! The best beer, in all of our Bavaria – UNCONTESTED. How did you say… Kitzmann? This is something truly new, and special – I don’t remember such a brewery in Erlangen…”
At this concluding remark, one of the guests chimed in, saying, “You are right, Your Majesty!” Removing his hat, he bowed low before the King. “Let me introduce myself! Johann Lorenz Kitzmann, at Your service. I am the new owner of the Breweries and I hasten to ensure you that my beer will be even better than that of the old owners, the Vierzigmann Family!” Bowing low once more, he continued: “Our historic Old Town, along with the famous Burgberg caves, are always open for your Majesty – we want your Oktoberfest to be as famous in Germany as our Bergkirchweih!” The group of townsfolk graciously took their leave and merged back into the furor of the day’s festivities.
When the group departed, Ludwig took another sip from the mug. “Beer and military parades are what our Bavarians love most,” he turned then to Theresa – “Dear, do you think it’s time to glorify Bavarian beer and secure a place for it in history… to erect some kind of monument, or, even better… perhaps a memorial Thaler! Glorifying the brewers in general and Erlangen in particular… hmm.. in my opinion, a great idea!” Upon saying this, Ludwig looked longingly at his wife and queen, waiting for what she had to say.
“Of course, Your Majesty,” sneered Theresa in mock skepticism, “let us glorify beer for centuries – and with it, all the drunkenness, fights, and buffoonery that come alongside. You do it well… first you celebrate a Thaler with a barrel of beer – and they’ll immediately start calling it the ‘Beer Taler’ – well, you know our cheery folk better than anyone. No, Your Majesty… history is reserved for the glorification of art and poetry, of education, and not for the stupid compulsion to fill your throat and bray drunkenly at parties. Not to mention that, in the selfsame Erlangen, they don’t JUST have breweries; for example, there is a University – couldn’t you better devote your new coin to the University of Friedrich?” With this, she resumed her former air of royal grace in solemn femininity.
“BAH! This is a Protestant University! I have enough problem with our Holy Roman Catholic Church - why I need another one?” Ludwig snapped back, looking fixedly at his wife. “Not just a Protestant University, but the first-of-its-kind University where they study ancient religious texts in a new and unorthodox way! We must be proud that we have it, of course! I – Your Majesty, if you haven’t forgotten that yet – am also a Protestant, and.. and proud of it,” She added irritably. Upon saying this, Theresa turned away and pursed her lips in annoyed embarrassment.
At a glance, the King continued: “Of course, Dear, I remember more than that – I feel thrilled to have a wife that is also a Protestant and our Bavaria is a country where all faiths live in peace!” He then gently took Theresa by the hand. “We will release a commemorative thaler in honor of the University of Erlangen with… a monument to Friedrich of Brandenburg-Bayreuth. I promise! The only thing is that He will be depicted holding… holding a STEIN of delicious Kitzmann-brau!” He roared with laughter at his own joke, nearly falling backwards over his own chair. Theresa rolled her eyes.
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The University of Erlangen was founded by Margrave Frederick of Brandenburg-Bayreuth in 1742, first in the city of Bayreuth, and then later transferred to city of Erlangen. As the first Protestant university in Germany, it was a center for the study of Protestant theology, as well as of mathematics and medicine. The University was named after Frederick (the founder) and Margrave Christian Frederich Charles Alexander of Brandenburg-Ansbach, who was its main trustee. To this day, the doors of the University of Friedrich-Alexander are open to students from all over the world – open just like the famous Burgberg Caves during Bergkirchweih in the city of Erlangen.
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German Talers since 1800 by John S. Davenport.
Bavaria, King Ludwig Series (1825 - 1848).
2 Talers 1843.
Davenport 590, KM 817 (434), Thun 82, AKS 105, J.73, Schw. 29.
Commemorative - for the Centennial of the founding of the University of Erlangen by Margrave Friedrich of Brandenburg-Bayreuth.
Obverse: Head of the Ludwig to the right, LUDWIG I KOENIG VON BAYERN.
Reverse: HUNDERTJAHRIGE GRUNDUNG DER HOCHSCHULE ZU ERLANGEN DURCH D. MARKGR. FRIEDR. V. BRANDENB. BAYR., 1843, Statue of Friedrich.
37.1200 g., 0.9000 Silver, 1.0740 oz. ASW.
NGC MS 63.
Smoky-rainbow toning with glassy fields, more prominent at the edges. Uncirculated details of the design. Attractive-looking coin.