Material: Silvered bronze (medallion type)
Size: 38 mm
Description: The item is an authentic vintage German commemorative advertising token masquerading as a traditional regional merit medal. The obverse vignette displays a detailed, right-facing portrait bust of King Ludwig II of Bavaria, captures with his distinct thick, wavy hair, combed moustache, and trimmed chin beard. The outer edge is bordered by a raised, beaded rim and the uppercase German text inscription "LUDWIG II KOENIG V. BAYERN", accented at the bottom by a prominent "NP" mint mark signifying a modern restrike (Neuprägung). Struck from silver-plated brass, the token is fitted with an integrated suspension loop threaded to a bright crimson-red fabric ribbon adorned with white stitched border edges. The reverse side carries the biographical calendar span "25.8.1845 – 13.6.1886" flanking a large, stylized crowned coat of arms featuring the iconic Bavarian lozenge pattern and the central letter "N".
Circa: 1970s-1980s
Notes:
This medal commemorates the life and sudden death of King Ludwig II of Bavaria (1845–1886), the romantic and enigmatic monarch often remembered as the “Fairy-Tale King.” Ludwig became famous for his patronage of composer Richard Wagner and for commissioning extravagant architectural projects including Neuschwanstein Castle, Linderhof Palace, and Herrenchiemsee. In June 1886 Ludwig was declared mentally unfit to rule by a government commission and was deposed. Only days later, he was found dead in Lake Starnberg alongside his physician under circumstances that remain debated to this day. His mysterious death led to a wave of public mourning across Bavaria.