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Again Ludwig found himself in longing. Since the early hours of the morning, he strolled through the never-ending halls of the palace and tried thinking of how to busy his time. No, the King had plenty of duties, but Ludwig felt the special urge for something important, something befitting his royal attention. “Perhaps another new Taler?” The mere brush of this recurring mental image always filled Ludwig with a cavernous joy, guiding His Majesty’s flowing thoughts in a novel direction without fail. Of course, now the question arose as to what matter is so worthy of a shining new coin, yet a block sat on his creativity and no formidable ideas arose as of yet. Long did the King wander the hallways in craving of something worthy of his energy, a idea worth bringing to life in metal and heat and human ingenuity.
He had just about corrupted his mood completely until he was informed of the presence of a visitor. Not just any visitor, either - a monk, replete with urgent business. Ludwig had always regarded the monastic life and its individuals with caution and almost a respectful fear, as he himself had always strove to be in accordance with the will of God; he attended confession and holy communion, strove to include and aid all faith in Germany (including even the Protestants!), and eagerly donated money for the construction of cathedrals and shrines. Such edifices were prior thrown into ruin during the secularization occurring under the troops of Napoleon Bonaparte. Yet Ludwig always felt wary of monks, especially those belonging to the Benedictine Order, to whom he harbored little trust. These monks in their black robes would evoke a feeling of terror deep in the pit of Ludwig’s heart, a feeling often misunderstood by the man himself - and thus he avoided such individuals rather deliberately. “Bah, let’s see what he has to say.”
Of course Ludwig knew that the monk would be asking for financial aid, in the undertaking of a grand construction scheme under divine destiny. As the King approached, dark and unknowable eyes shot him a glance from under a weighty black hood and fat fingers nervously handled a worn rosary - it had seemed that the King was not the only man anxious to be in the presence of another. “Your Highness! The Jesuits again are preparing a petition to take back Thy School, the Augsburg Gymnasium, to return it to the oversight of the Jesuit St. Salvator College. This must not happen! From the beginning it had been our Monastery of St. Stephan, founded in 969 by the Bishop of Augsburg St. Ulrich himself - your Highness, please help return this building to us! We intend to renovate the ancient establishment and to sing collective prayers and praises to the monarch responsible for the rebirth of our home. Thou hast already done so much for our beloved Order; please come to our aid yet again!”
The King thought to himself - it is not difficult to remember the vast expenses, the 1.9 million guilders reserved for the construction of monasteries, as the Cathedral and Monastery of Saint Boniface in Munich alone ran up to almost a million. Yes, the country healed from Napoleon at great cost, from a time where monasteries and lands were brutally seized from their inhabitants. The King let out an extended breath, the likes of which was almost instantly mirrored by the equally apprehensive man of God, who continued to fidget restlessly with his rosary. Ludwig too believed in God and believed that He had given him the kingly power for a certain sacred aim or design, and perhaps the renovation and renewal of holy buildings may have been his lifelong purpose. But alas, what an expensive revival!
This black-clad monk is trying to lay hands on what is his, his Grammar School - he personally saw to the renovation of St. Stephan’s monastery and its re-emergence as a school for children. A question suddenly flashed across the King’s mind - “And what of the children?” The monk retorted, “Do not worry yourself, Your Highness! Our Order always prided itself on its eagerness to work with and raise the next generation.The School will stay established as is, and any and all responsibility for education will be taken by our grateful Order, with God’s help!” Lowering his eyes, the monk began whispering a prayer, effectively leaving any remaining conversation in the hands of the King.
Perhaps it is indeed the best course of action to hand over the jurisdiction of the School to the Benedictine Order, as it may mean less work for a Kingly mind for equal benefit to all involved. Eyeing the monk, the King exclaimed, “Then it is decided, I shall give unto you the School, but under one condition - you will teach not only theology in this place of learning, but also other advanced sciences like philosophy, mathematics, poetry, etc. You are responsible for the nurturing of a mentally bright and powerful generation to bring our Bavaria forward into a better future!”
Rising, the King concluded the meeting and thought to himself, and here we have an excellent reason for the production of a brand new coin - Germany under royal volition transfers government control of a center of education to the Church of St. Benedict! Germany will be portrayed by an ordinary woman in Greek clothing, with monks and children! The King’s mood and day had brightened tremendously!
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A former Catholic Jesuit College was rebuilt by citizens donating almost 30,000 guilders, which was purchased by Ludwig I of Bavaria with the blessing of Bishop Ignatz Albert of Riegg, and was reopened to the public on November 20. But King Ludwig soon forbade the readmission of Jesuits and transferred the jurisdiction over the school to the Benedictine Order instead, even without consultation with the Pope, and restored the Benedictine Order in Bavarian Swabia after secularization. On the 5th of November 1835, the Constitution of the Monastery of St. Stephan took place and the Benedictine Seminary opened its doors. It still exists at the present day, though only as a day boarding school. All fourteen of the remaining Benedictine Monks work as teachers at the High School of St. Stephan, the St. Joseph Day Boarding School, as well as provide services ranging from nursing to artisanal craftsman activities.
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German Talers since 1800 by John S. Davenport.
Bavaria, King Ludwig Series (1825 - 1848).
Taler 1835, BENEDICTINE SCHOOL .
Davenport 578, KM 782 (412), Thun 70, AKS 137, J.52.
Commemorative - for the school given to the Benedictine Order.
Obverse: Head of the Ludwig I to the right, LUDWIG I KOENIG VON BAYERN. ZEHN EINE FEINE MARK.
Reverse: DEN BENEDIKTINERN WIEDER EINE LEHRANSTALT ÜBERGEBEN, Female figurine (Education) with two children and a monk, 1835 below.
NGC MS 62 PL.
28.0600 g., 0.83300 Silver, 0.7515 oz. ASW.
This is another example of the "Historical Talers" of King Ludwig I of Bavaria - to Commemorate the Benedictine Order taking over the school. This is another high-quality collectible - PROOFLIKE tier per NGC is well-deserved for this gorgeous coin with mirrored fields, amazing uncirculated detail of the design and cameo-like strike. Touch of champagne toning gives extra appealing look. Some excessive rubbing marks in the fields determine the grade - graded as MS 62 by NGC. Still great collectible and investment item!