Bavaria 1722 1/2 maximilian d'or Fr-227
This specimen was lot 1062 in Jean Elsen sale 161 (Brussels, March 2025), where it sold for €440 (about US$573 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ALLEMAGNE, BAVIÈRE, Maximilien II Emmanuel (1679-1726), AV 1/2 Max d'or, 1722, Munich. D/ T. à d., coiffée d'une grande perruque. R/ La Madone à l'enfant trônant de f., ten. l'écu couronné de Bavière. Petits coups sur la tranche. (Germany, electorate of Bavaria, Maximilian II Emanuel, 1679-176, gold half max of 1722, Munich mint. Minor edge nicks, about Very Fine.)"
Maximilian Emanuel's support of the French side during the War of the Spanish Succession led to the Austrian occupation of his electorate and his exile in Belgium. Returning to Munich in 1715 on the signing of the peace, he spent the rest of his reign trying to repair relations with Vienna. This denomination was struck in 1722 with a draped bust (KM 395, struck 1722-23) or a bare bust (shown here, struck 1715-25). Both are scarce. The early eighteenth century saw the appearance of a number of self-titled gold coins ("maximilian d'or," "carolin d'or," "friedrich d'or"), presumably inspired by the French "louis d'or."
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 3.32 g, 0.900 fine gold, this specimen 2,94 g.
Catalog reference: Hahn 204; Witt. 1638; Fr-227.
- Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 161, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2025.
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