Bavaria, Army Commemorative Cross 1866, bronze cross with suspension loop.
Obverse: in a medallion, within an oak wreath tied above and below, the crowned Bavarian lion walking to the left on a lozenge ground.
Reverse: in a medallion, within the same oak wreath, the year 1866 raised and standing out in bright bronze.
The arms of the cross are darkly stained and hatched, their raised edges standing out in bright bronze.
King Ludwig II of Bavaria instituted the award on 25 August 1866. The charter says it was meant in remembrance of that year's campaign, for all those who took part in it and shared in its hardships and dangers. The cross therefore went only to members of the mobile army, not to officers and men who had served in the rear echelon. Bavaria fought on the Austrian side in the German War of 1866, and that side lost. This is what makes the piece unusual, since it is a king honouring a defeated army.
vanzandwijkmunten: because one coin is never enough.
About me
Coins have been part of my life for almost thirty years. It started with the things I found in the ground as a boy, and it never stopped. First the searching, then the reading and figuring out, and the collecting. Dealing came much later, and even though it is how I make my living now, I still enjoy looking at every piece the way a collector does.
Everything you see here has passed through my own hands. I describe and photograph each piece myself. There is no team behind me. You always deal with me.

Your purchase is guaranteed
Every shipment goes out registered with track & trace, and I pack everything myself. If something goes wrong along the way, I cover the cost. That risk is mine, not yours.
I ship on two fixed days a week, Monday and Thursday. The track & trace is added to your order so you can follow your parcel online.
Three things that are possible with me
- Not able to pay in one go right now? Paying in parts is possible, and I can reserve a piece for you with a down payment.
- Several pieces in mind? Send me a message through MA-Shops with the item numbers and I will see what I can do for you.
- Looking for something and not sure whether I have it? Just send a message. I do not have everything online. Tell me what you are after and I will keep an eye out for you and let you know as soon as I have something.
Practical
For payments within Europe I recommend an IBAN transfer (SEPA), which saves you the extra costs of third parties.
Would you rather see a piece in hand first? That is possible by appointment. Send me a message telling me which piece it is and we will arrange something.
If you are unsure about a coin, feel free to ask for extra photos or for a detail you cannot see clearly on the scan.
Kind regards, Vincent
vanzandwijkmunten: Because one coin is never enough