Discovering Concealed Riches from Bavaria's Hoard of Coins
In the heart of Bavaria, nestled within the historic walls of the Munich Residence, lies the State Coin Collection (Münzkabinett). This storied numismatic collection, a treasure trove of coins spanning ancient to modern times, has roots dating back to the Renaissance.
A Rich Historical Legacy
The collection developed over centuries under Bavarian rulers, accumulating coins from different eras and regions, making it one of the foremost public coin collections in Germany. Its origins can be traced to Duke Albrecht V, who founded the collection in the 16th century, with "State" meaning magnificent.
Notable Artifacts
The State Coin Collection boasts an impressive array of artifacts, each telling a unique story. Roman coins, such as a sestertius of Emperor Hadrian minted in Nicomedia (modern İzmit, Turkey) around 321-322 AD, are a testament to the collection’s strength in classical antiquities.
Two gold aureus coins from Emperor Licinius—also minted in Nicomedia in the early 4th century AD—are displayed, highlighting the collection’s rare and valuable Roman gold coinage.
Among modern pieces are rare Reichsmark coins minted during World War II in Munich ("D" mint mark), including zinc coins denominated 5 and 10 Reichspfennig from 1940-1941. These coins are notable because many were melted down due to war resource restrictions, making surviving pieces rare.
A Gilded Legacy
The collection also houses a gilded silver coin featuring Max Emanuel of Bavaria as the sun rising, created in 1715 by Philipp Heinrich Müller. Max Emanuel of Bavaria (1662-1726) is depicted on the coin as a symbol of new splendor for himself and his electorate.
The Exhibit
The current exhibit features a coin believed to be the first of its kind, struck from electron (a gold-silver alloy) in the middle of the 7th century and possibly originating from Lydia (the western coast of today's Turkey). The exhibit, adorned with cameos and gemstones based on ancient models, is rarely exhibited due to its questionable taste.
The exhibit, originally belonging to the Bavarian State Exhibition in Regensburg, is currently missing from Regensburg. The exhibit also includes items other than metal objects, such as ivory, paper, and precious stones. A "coin jug" made of silver with 21 talers inside and out is exhibited, the oldest of which is from 1486. The jug also contains a "donative medal" for foreign envoys and was made in Königsberg around 1670.
The State Coin Collection Today
Today, the State Coin Collection, not the exhibit, has been part of the Residence since 1963. The collection is open daily except Monday, from 10 am to 5 pm, and currently exhibits a fraction of its approximately three hundred thousand objects.
A book about medieval and ancient Spanish coins printed in only 100 copies, which belonged to the universal scholar Félicien de Saulcy, is on display. The collection thus spans a wide historical breadth, from ancient imperial Roman currency to complex modern German coinage issued under difficult historical circumstances.
In summary, the State Coin Collection in Munich is renowned for its extensive and historically rich holdings, including notable items such as Roman imperial coins from Nicomedia and rare wartime Reichsmark zinc coins from Munich mint. These artifacts reflect important numismatic, economic, and historical narratives connected to Bavaria and wider European history.
- Visitors to the State Coin Collection can delve into a lifestyle that transcends time, as they explore unique home-and-garden artifacts like the rare "coin jug" made of silver with 21 talers inside and out.
- The State Coin Collection stands as an embodiment of historical legacies, showcasing an impressive array of coins and artifacts that provide insights into different eras and lifestyles, from the ancient Roman settlements of Nicomedia to modern-day Munich.
