Expert: Brad Swain - 12/17/2009

Question
I recently came into a couple of coins from my grandparents. I've tried identifying them online, and in several coin collecting books. They are old, and from Bavaria, apparently before it was called one of the German states.

There are two 3 kreuzers, obverse side holding the crowned coat of arms, one with the words KOENIGR. BAYERN, the other K. BAYERISCHE SCHEIDEMUNZE. The reverse side is the same for both: the numeration 3 KREUZER and the dates 1843 and 1865 respectively, surrounded by a wreath.

There is a 1/2 kreuzer, obverse side the crowned arms, wreathed, reverse side the numeration 1/2 KREUZER and the date 1851.

There is a 6 kreuzer, obverse with a bust facing right, and the words LUDWIG I KOENIG VON BAYERN, reverse the crowned arms wreathed, the words LAND MUNZ above the arms, the numeration 6 K, and the date 1833 below the arms.

There is a pfenning as well, obverse side the crowned arms, wreathed, reverse the numeration 1 PFENNING, the words SCHEIDEMUNZE, and the date 1869.

I asked Charlie M., but I wished to know the history behind them, not the value. I wish to have an idea why my grandfather was so fond of them, before I do any other action. i am unable to ask him personally, as he has memory problems as of late. Will you find out about these Bavarian coins for me?

Thank you for your time.

Answer
Hi Catherine, Bayern is Bavaria. Scheidemunze means 'small change'. Landmunze means 'state coin'.
You can find the monarchs with an Internet search. Wikipedia.org is a good informational source for instance.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bavaria
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special%3ASearch&search=landmunze&go=G...
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special%3ASearch&search=scheidemunze&g...
You might also try a library for a copy of the Standard Catalog of World Coins for pictures, values and lots more interesting info.
Brad