GERMANY. Bayern. Kurfürstentum. Maximilian II Emanuel, 1679-1726. Medal 1703 (Silver, 41 mm, 32.97 g, 12 h), on his conquest of sixteen cities. By P. H. Müller. Variety with Star below date. ARTE & MARTE / IN VTROQUE / MAGNVS. Maximilian II Emanuel standing facing on pedestal with coat of arms of Ulm and Augsburg, holding sword in his right hand and shield in his left; behind, flags and standards; to his left, Ulma with mural crown and cornucopia, handing him the city key; to his right, river god Danubius with trident. Rev. MAX•EMMA•V•B•D•ET ELECT• // HAS PRIMUS / DEDDIT ANNUS• / MDCCIII / * Victory striding left, holding palm branch in her right hand and mural crown in her left; around, wreath of coats of arms of the conquered cities. Beierlein 1562. Erlanger -. Forster 715. München Inv. 6-05093. Nau 205. Senk 70. A very rare and attractive medal with beautiful iridescent toning. Very minor marks and edge nicks, otherwise, nearly extremely fine.


Maximilian II Emanuel’s reign was marked by constant warfare. As a military commander in the Great Turkish War and the Nine Years' War, he played a key role in European conflicts. But it was during the War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1714), while serving as Governor-General of the Spanish Netherlands, that he made his most ambitious bid for power.

This rare medal commemorates his capture of several cities, including Augsburg, Biberach, Dillingen, Ehingen, Füssen, Hohenschwangau, Kempten, Kufstein, Lauingen, Memmingen, Munderkingen, Neuburg, Passau, Regensburg, Reutlingen, and Ulm. It was meant to cement his image as a victorious commander and a legitimate contender for the Spanish Habsburg throne.

However, Maximilian II Emanuel’s grand ambitions came crashing down with his devastating defeat at the Battle of Blenheim in 1704. Ironically, this very medal later served as the basis for a satirical counterpart (see Lot 1072 below), mocking his humiliating downfall.