Station: [2] Coronation Thaler (No. 10)

You are listening to information about the coronation of Frederick I of Prussia at Königsberg Palace.

On January 18, 1701, Elector Frederick III of Brandenburg was crowned King Frederick I of Prussia in Königsberg. This act marked the establishment of the Kingdom of Prussia.

The nature of this coronation is noteworthy. It was a self-coronation. This was possible because the Elector of Brandenburg, as Duke of Prussia, was a sovereign ruler. Frederick organized most of the ceremony himself. This alone shows how carefully this day was staged.

The coronation was accompanied by lavish celebrations. On the day of the coronation, coins worth 6,000 talers were distributed to the people. A single taler is worth approximately 150 euros today. One of these talers has been preserved at Hohenzollern Castle. You can see it in the exhibition under number 10.

Celebrations also took place on Königsberg’s Schlossplatz. Roasted oxen were served to the people, along with 4,000 liters of wine. The wine even flowed from two fountains. One can imagine the impression this must have made. A magnificent fireworks display brought the coronation day to a close. But the celebrations weren’t over yet; they continued well into the spring.

Later, the total cost of the coronation was estimated at six million talers. This is particularly impressive when compared to the annual state budget, which was only four million talers. The coronation was thus the most expensive single event in the entire history of Brandenburg-Prussia.

Perhaps this explains why there were no further coronation celebrations until the coronation of William I in 1871. After all, the Prussians and the Swabians are still considered thrifty to this day. After this one massive celebration, it may have seemed natural to put the matter of coronations on hold for the time being.

Thus, this coronation remains not only a political turning point but also a celebration of extraordinary magnitude.