GERMANY. Hohenlohe-Langenburg. Taler, 1751-CGL. Ludwig. PCGS MS-63 Gold Shield.Dav-2355; KM-20. Struck for the 50th anniversary of the division of the junior line of the Hohenlohe-Neuenstein family into the three branches Langenburg, Ingelfingen and Kirchberg. A highly-sought commemorative Taler type due to its design, which features three female allegories that represent the three divided branches of the family and were undoubtedly inspired by the Three Graces mythology from ancient Greece. Unquestionably scarce as a type, with this example being appropriately termed VERY RARE in this condition, it being the single most visually compelling example we have seen. Beginning with the strike, both sides display virtually full completeness, with perfect definition within the central illustrative design and only the slightest evidence of doubling that becomes visible upon intense inspection. The fields are also uniformly prooflike on both sides, with a single as-produced die lump worth mentioning that appears to the left of the allegorical design on the obverse. Perhaps what sets this example apart the most however, is the tone. More complementary than covering, the obverse raised surfaces are outlined in a sublime array of flashy rainbow-themed colors with delicate golden color in the fields. The reverse, less intense, displays a touch of amber-gold around the inscriptions that mixes with a dose of mauve in the fields. Together, both sides combine to create a coin that is difficult to put down. Not surprisingly, unsurpassed in grade a PCGS as well; yet another notch is this coins proverbial belt that should result in intense competition for the right of ownership.From the Linda Collection.
