AUSTRIA. Schlick. Taler, ND (1505-26). Joachimsthal Mint. Stephan, Burian, Heinrich, Hieronymous & Lorenz. PCGS AU-55 Gold Shield. Dav-8138. Obverse: St. Joachim; Reverse: Rampant Bohemian lion. Stunning condition for this first Taler type, this coin was struck on a planchet of good quality with bold and even detailing appearing throughout the designs. Carefully handled for ages, the surfaces now display medium brown coloration with appealing blue and gold accents around the accentuated legends. Upon close inspection, no marks or major distractions appear, making the quality undeniably <strong>RARE </strong>for the issue. Considering its appearance and historical importance, as well as its finest graded status at PCGS and NGC, a coin that could quite easily shoot past its given estimate range.<p><em>The Counts of Schlick owned the mine at Joachimsthal and struck coins from the silver mined there which were soon nicknamed "thalers". This type was struck in the name of Lajos II of Hungary and Bohemia ("LVDOVICVS:PRIM:D:GRACIA:R:BO:"). His death at the hands of the Turks in 1526 allowed the Hapsburgs to seize Bohemia and confiscate the mines.</em>
