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Auction: 25111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 1038

(x) The rare Military Order of Maria Theresa silver medal presented to Prince Karl Theodor of Bavaria, who fought against Napoleon at the Battle of Hanau and during the 1814 Campaign in the War of the Sixth Coalition, was Field Marshal of the Bavarian Army and commanded the Bavarian forces in the Austro-Prussian War of 1866

Austria, Empire, Military Order of Maria Theresa, Jubilee Medal 1843, 52mm, silver, rim officially impressed (Se. K. Hoheit Carl Prinz V. Baiern), nearly extremely fine and rare

The 1843 Jubilee silver medal was created to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Archduke Karl Ludwig's induction into the Military Order of Maria Theresa. This commemorative medal was presented to all living members of the Order in 1843. Approximately 140 silver medals were issued to Knights of the Order, which included Prince Karl Theodor.

Prince Karl Theodor of Bayern was born in Munich on 7 July 1795, the second son of King Maximilian I of Bavaria and his wife Princess Augusta Wilhelmine of Hesse-Darmstadt. The Prince's long military career saw its beginning in the fight against Napoleon I, against whom he fought at the Battle of Hanau in October 1813 when he was just eighteen years old. The battle was a tactical victory for Napoleon, opening a line of retreat for the French army. The young Prince was made general of a division after the battle and with them took part in the Campaign of 1814 against the French Emperor in the final months of the War of Sixth Coalition.

The Prince temporarily retired from service in 1822 owing to disagreements with Bavarian Field Marshal Karl Philipp von Wrede. He resided in Munich, where he morganatically married Marie-Anne-Sophie Petin on 1 October 1823 and with whom he went on to have issue of three daughters.

Upon von Wrede's death in 1838, Prince Karl was appointed Field Marshal of the Bavarian Army by his brother King Ludwig I. In 1866 Bavaria sided with Austria during the Austro-Prussian War and the Prince acted as commander-in-chief of the Bavarian corps which fought in the conflict. These troops comprised about 52,000 men and fought in the Main Campaign, suffering heavy losses particularly at the Battle of Kissingen on 10 July where they were soundly defeated by Prussian forces.

Prince Karl left the service after the defeat of the allied Austrian forces. He died at Tegernsee on 16 August 1875 when he was killed instantly upon falling from his horse while riding at the age of eighty.


Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£2,300

Starting price
£320