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3 Ducats - Ferdinand Maria Wedding of Ferdinand Maria and Adelheid
| Issuer | Bavaria, Electorate of |
|---|---|
| Year | 1652 |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Technique | Hammered |
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| Obverse description | Conjoined draped busts of Elector Ferdinand Maria and his consort Adelheid of Savoy facing right, Ferdinand Maria armored with long flowing hair, Adelheid adorned with pearls and elaborate court dress. The busts are rendered in high relief in the Baroque style typical of mid-17th century Bavarian medallic art. A circular Latin legend surrounds the effigies, reading continuously around the coin field. |
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| Obverse lettering | FERDINANDVS MARIA EL BAVARIAE ET ADELHAID |
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| Additional information |
Ferdinand Maria married Henriette Adelaide of Savoy in 1652, a union brokered to strengthen ties between the Wittelsbachs and the House of Savoy against the backdrop of post-Westphalian realignment among Catholic princes. The wedding coinage was issued in multiple denominations, of which the 3-ducat is the most substantial gold strike and among the rarest survivors — multi-ducat presentation pieces from this period were minted in small numbers as diplomatic gifts rather than for any circulation purpose.
Adelheid, as she was known in Bavaria, later became a significant cultural force at the Munich court, sponsoring Italian opera and theatre. The coin predates that influence entirely — she was sixteen at the time of the marriage.