Commemorative Coins Marking a Difficult Milestone
Schloss Benrath, a stunning Baroque palace located in Germany, has a rich history that spans over two centuries. The palace, commissioned by Elector Carl-Theodor, was completed in its entirety on March 1st, 1771, marking the end of a construction project that had begun in 1755.
Interestingly, the palace was intended to serve as a retirement home for Elector Carl-Theodor's wife, Elisabeth Auguste, but she unfortunately passed away before her husband could move in.
Fast forward to the present day, and Schloss Benrath's history is being celebrated in a unique way. The European Mint Company "EuroMint" and the Stiftung Schloss und Park Benrath have collaborated to create a special edition coin.
The coin, available in both fine silver and fine gold, features the main building of Schloss Benrath on one side and the pond and the further building arrangement of the complex on the other. The fine gold version of the coin costs 999 euros, while the fine silver variant costs 69 euros. It's important to note that these coins have no nominal value.
Prof. Dr. Stefan Schweizer, the scientific director of the Stiftung Schloss und Park, shares that the construction of the palace was commissioned by a "notorious spendthrift." Despite the extravagant cost, which was approximately 700,000 talers, the palace remains a testament to the opulence of the 18th century.
The coins, presented to the board of the foundation in the dome hall of the castle, mark the beginning of a series of commemorative items that aim to celebrate Schloss Benrath's history. The remaining coins are available for purchase in the museum shop at the castle or via the online site of the mint company.
While the exact dates of the completion of the water games, ponds, and park facilities at Schloss Benrath are not definitively known, it is believed that they were finalized around the late 1780s. The palace's landscaping and water-related features, a crucial part of its charm, were completed over an additional 15 years after the main building was finished.
For those interested in delving deeper into Schloss Benrath's history, consulting dedicated historical archives or the palace's official documentation would be advisable. In the meantime, the special edition coins offer a captivating glimpse into the palace's grandeur and the extravagant life of the 18th century.
The collaboration between the European Mint Company "EuroMint" and the Stiftung Schloss und Park Benrath has produced a unique commemorative item, a special edition coin, that showcases Schloss Benrath's main building on one side and the pond and complex on the other, available in both fine silver and fine gold. The price for the fine gold version is 999 euros, while the fine silver variant costs 69 euros, highlighting the opulence of the 18th century that was funded by a "notorious spendthrift."
