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The gray curtain fluttered wildly in the wind as it began to fall, slowly revealing the cold gleam of the Obelisk. The crowd of people silently looked on as the colossal stele gradually shed its loose gray skin, bringing to light the immensity of a great needle puncturing the blue of the October skies. Once they were raised from the depths of the Mediterranean following the Battle of Navarino, Turkish cannons passed through the hellfire of Ruhr furnaces to transform into sheets of shimmering blue steel plate, coldly wrapping the sides of the needle – as though reminiscent of the boundless frozen fields in Russia upon which countless thousands of Bavarians drew their last breath, back in the year 1812 under the command of Bonaparte.
Aged veterans stood with tears in their weary eyes. To finally realizing this dream demanded considerable expense and effort – but at long last, the steely tribute of the living to the dead stood proud and unshakable in the wind.
Even King Ludwig could not keep from releasing tears on such a momentous occasion, and his heart shone with honor to stand beside his family members during the monument’s unveiling ceremony. He proudly remembered the long and arduous road that led to this day, an endeavor begun long ago by his father in the distant year of 1818. At the outset, the master architect Leo Von Klenze devised a majestic project to erect the monolithic column at Odeon Place, but this plan was met with certain problems. The column demanded vast sums of metal for which there was little money – even the chosen location proved unrealistic, as much of the city would have needed to be demolished to make space for a monument of such a grand scale. After several overly heated discussions, Leo begrudgingly modified his plans – he decided to craft the column from ordinary bricks, to be wrapped with an outside layer of cast iron plates. For this they melted down old church bells and rusted Turkish cannons, the aged relics of battles long past. The new location for the monument was chosen to be Karolinen Place, an agreeable stretch of open land. By far the most important segment of the monolith was the massive bronze base, expertly crafted by the legendary casting-master Johann Baptist Stiglmaler. Ludwig himself engraved the words into the heavy plaque, immortalizing them in solid bronze.
Closing his eyes, Ludwig read aloud: “For the thirty thousand Bavarians who met their deaths in the Russian Wars, laying down their lives for the liberation of the Fatherland. Erected by Ludwig I of Bavaria upon completion on October 18th, 1833.” How wonderfully it sounded! He remembered soulfully reciting it to his dear wife Teresa, who responded in surprise, “Your Grace! What ‘liberation of the fatherland’ does it refer to?” Ludwig responded, “It speaks of releasing our Bavaria from the clutches of the enemy. Our soldiers always gave their lives for the Fatherland! Why, is something not right?” In quick reply, Teresa said, “I think it needs a little more clarification – from what enemy was the Fatherland liberated? Napoleon? From the Russians? And what Fatherland is it referring to? Bavaria? Russia?”
“Of course, it refers to our common enemy Napoleon,” snapped Ludwig, “Or no, wait, back then we were allied with the French to liberate the lands of Bavaria from the Russians. But Bavaria wasn’t part of Russia back then – those were just Napoleonic stories… it appears that I’m thoroughly confused.” With this, he collapsed into his chair, distraught and perplexed. “It’s decided! We won’t change a thing about the memorial plaque. Let each decide for themselves, whatever land was protected from whatever enemy.. those details are trifles. The obelisk itself is for our valiant soldiers! I’m tired and need to eat.”
Of the 30,000 Bavarians that departed to Russia with Napoleon in the year 1812, only 2000 returned with the honorable General Wrede. The rest of them remained in those frigid fields, the new Fatherland that was promised by Napoleon. In truth, the original inscription on Ludwig’s Obelisk had nothing to with the “Liberation war of 1813-1815” that liberated Germany from Napoleon – rather, it reflected the hypocrisy of the politics at that time.
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German Talers since 1800 by John S. Davenport.
Bavaria, King Ludwig Series (1825 - 1848).
Taler 1833, MONUMENT TO THE FALLEN BAVARIANS.
Davenport 570, KM 763, Thun 62, AKS 129, J.44.
Commemorative - for the 30000 Bavarians who lost their lives in the Russian campaigns.
Obverse: Head of the Ludwig I to the right, LUDWIG I KOENIG VON BAYERN. ZEHN EINE FEINE MARK
Reverse: DENKMAHL DER DREYSSIG TAUSEND BAYERN WELCHE IM RUSSISCHEN KRIEGE DEN TOD FANDEN, Monument 1833 below.
NGC MS 64.
28.0600 g., 0.83300 Silver, 0.7515 oz. ASW.
Rare type of "Historic Talers" of Ludwig I of Bavaria - for Bavarians who lost their life in Russia during the Napoleon War - only single coins you can find as MS-graded. This particular thaler attenuated with patchy toning, clear fields with golden iridescence and sharp uncirculated details. Some scratches noted on reverse at 1 o'clock. Desirable piece for any collection!!