1 oz Silver Bayernthaler 80 Years Constitution 2026

Bavaria Thaler 2026: 80 Years of the Bavarian Constitution in One Troy Ounce of Fine Silver

On 1 December 1946, the citizens of Bavaria voted on their new constitution in a referendum, and on 8 December 1946 it entered into force. Eighty years later, the Bavarian State Mint in Munich honours this cornerstone of Bavarian democracy with a special edition of its Bavaria Thaler. The result is a full troy ounce of silver with a fineness of 999/1,000, struck in Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) quality and safely housed in a coin capsule. A piece of regional history you can hold in your hand.

The Bavaria Thaler "Bavaria – 80 Years of the Bavarian Constitution" expands the series available since spring 2025, which has so far become known primarily for its Neuschwanstein Castle design. For this anniversary edition, the fairytale castle steps aside. This time, the patroness of the Free State herself takes centre stage.

The Obverse: Bavaria, the Lion and the Constitutional Scroll

At the centre stands Bavaria, the personification of the Bavarian state, rendered three-dimensionally and in rich detail in relief. She wears a long, flowing robe in the classical style. With raised arm she triumphantly holds up a wreath, while her other hand rests on the mane of the Bavarian lion. The lion sits watchfully at her side, mouth open, one paw raised: a symbol of strength and protection.

Both figures stand on a pedestal, over which an unrolled scroll bearing the inscription "BAYERISCHE VERFASSUNG 1946-2026" is draped. The background depicts the silhouette of the Free State with the fine boundary lines of its seven administrative districts. A diagonal diamond pattern, reminiscent of the white-and-blue state colours, runs across the entire field. In the upper left are the words "BAYERN 1 THALER" with an emphasised numeral, and below it the year of issue 2026. In the wide outer rim one reads "BAVARIAN STATE MINT" and, running around the edge, "80 JAHRE VERFASSUNG DES FREISTAATES BAYERN" (80 years of the constitution of the Free State of Bavaria).

The design is a deliberate homage to the historic double Thaler of 1848, which King Maximilian II had minted. At the time, it commemorated the 30th anniversary of the constitution of the Kingdom of Bavaria. This new special edition takes up that pictorial programme and reinterprets it for the present day.

"It is the cornerstone of democracy in Bavaria and one of our most precious assets."
Albert Füracker, Bavarian Minister of Finance and Regional Identity, on the Bavarian Constitution at the presentation of the Bavaria Thaler on 8 September 2026

The Reverse: the Bavarian State Coat of Arms

The reverse is dominated by the great Bavarian state coat of arms. Two rearing, crowned lions hold the shield bearing the people's crown. The four quarters show the Palatinate lion, the Franconian rake, the Blue Panther and the three Staufer lions, with the heart shield bearing the diamond pattern in the centre. Above it reads "SEIT 1158" (since 1158), and below it the designation "1 OZ AG 999". The surrounding inscription "BAYERISCHES HAUPTMÜNZAMT" (Bavarian State Mint) and "MÜNCHEN" (Munich) refers to the mint's long tradition. It dates back to the year 1158, when Henry the Lion granted Munich the right to mint coins.

Key Features at a Glance

• Precious metal: fine silver, fineness 999/1,000
• Fine weight: 31.1 g (1 troy ounce)
• Gross weight: 31.1 g
• Diameter: 37.00 mm
• Edge: reeded
• Condition: Brilliant Uncirculated (BU), new
• Face value: 1 Bayern Thaler (medal, not legal tender)
• Year of issue: 2026
• Manufacturer: Bavarian State Mint, Munich (Germany)
• Packaging: coin capsule

Thaler Bavaria in Comparison: Which Version Suits You?

The Constitution special edition is available in several versions. The Brilliant Uncirculated version offered here is the classic choice for anyone wishing to combine design and metal value. It is not limited, so you can also easily purchase additional pieces at a later date.

• Bavaria Thaler Neuschwanstein: the series' standard design, with identical specifications. The Thaler Bavaria additionally offers a concrete historical occasion, making it especially appealing to collectors.
• Proof edition: a polished finish for the display case. The BU variant is closer to the pure silver value and is therefore well suited for wealth building.
• Limited edition with partial gilding: limited to 960 pieces, reflecting 80 years calculated in months. This version is clearly aimed at numismatists.
• 1 kg editions: two limited versions of 80 pieces each, as a large-format highlight.
• Vienna Philharmonic or Maple Leaf: These bullion coins carry an official state face value. The Bavaria Thaler, by contrast, is a medal whose value derives from its fine silver content and collector appeal. In return, it offers a genuinely German origin from a state mint, with a design found nowhere else.

Silver as a Store of Value with Tradition

Silver was minted as a monetary metal for centuries, particularly in Bavaria, where the Thaler remained legal tender until the founding of the German Empire in 1871. Today, many investors value the white precious metal as a tangible inflation hedge. Unlike paper money, it carries an intrinsic value that does not depend on a government's promise.

Added to this is strong industrial demand from electronics, solar technology and medicine, while supply remains limited. Compared to gold, silver is affordable, globally liquid and tradeable, and can even be considered a medium of exchange in small units. This makes it a solid building block for personal crisis protection. A tax advantage: in Germany, profits from the sale of physical precious metals are generally tax-free after a holding period of at least one year.

An Anniversary Piece for Generations

Whether as a gift for those with ties to the homeland, as a memento of 80 years of the Free State's constitution, or as a building block for your retirement provisions: the 1 troy ounce silver Bavaria Thaler 80 Years of the Constitution 2026 combines Bavarian identity with the lasting value of fine silver. Silver does not lose its physical properties. That is why this Thaler can also be passed on to the next generation.