Baden, gulden 1856, Frederick I

Baden Frederick I (1856-1907) gulden 1856

Av.: Head of Grand Duke Frederick I.

Rs.: 1 gulden 1856

He spoke the first cheers for Emperor Wilhelm I in Versailles: Frederick I of Baden! Acquire one of the first gulden of the Grand Duke!

Baden owes much to this ruler: Frederick I, as a advocate of constitutional monarchy, was a reformer among rulers. From 1904, secret and direct suffrage was established in the second chamber of the Baden Landtag. He also played a role as a patron of the arts, and the present State Academy of Fine Arts in Karlsruhe traces its origins to his initiative. In addition, under Frederick I, the city of Mannheim evolved into an industrial center as he expanded the railway and waterways.

Friedrich was only the second-born son of his father Leopold. However, since his older brother Ludwig was not considered as a successor due to illness, Friedrich was appointed as his father's representative. Thus, after his father's death in 1852, he initially ruled as Prince Regent for his brother. When his brother died in 1856, Friedrich became the Grand Duke of Baden. The offered gulden comes from the first minting series after his accession to the throne.

As a supporter of German unity under Prussian leadership, Frederick I initially joined the North German Confederation and later the German Empire. This earned him an invitation to Versailles for the proclamation of the emperor. There, he spoke the first cheers for Wilhelm I.

And for all Sweden fans: His daughter Viktoria married Gustav V of Sweden in 1881. Today's Crown Princess Victoria is named after her.