GERMANY. Pfalz-Kurlinie. Karl Theodor, 1742–1777. Medal 1768 (Silver, 35 mm, 14.61 g, 12 h), on the Issue of the Order of the Lion of Bavaria. CAR•THEODOR•D:G•C•P•R•S•R•I•A•T•ET EL• Draped bust of Karl Theodor to the right. Rev. ANNIS ET MERITIS / KAL•IAN•MDCCLXVII• // MERENTI Order of the Lion of Bavaria. Memmersheimer 2506. Stemper 517. Rare. Tiny marks, otherwise, extremely fine.


The Order of the Lion of Bavaria was the first order of merit established by the Wittelsbach dynasty. Originally known as the Order of the Palatine Lion (Orden vom Pfälzer Löwen), it was renamed in 1778 when the Palatinate-Sulzbach branch of the House of Wittelsbach inherited the Electorate of Bavaria.

The number of knights was limited to 25, including the chancellor, who served as head of the order. Recipients were originally required to have served the electoral house for 25 years in either the military or civil administration and were obliged to pay an entrance fee of 25 ducats. In 1808, Maximilian I Joseph of Bavaria declared the order extinct, and no further appointments were made thereafter.