Hilde Loewe-Flatter (1895 to 1976): Unveiling a great talent
In 1927, a chanson enchanted the world: “Das alte Lied” (The Old Song). But hardly anyone knew that it was written by a woman: Hilde Loewe, who composed under the pseudonym Henry Love. Stars such as Richard Tauber, Marlene Dietrich, and Hildegard Knef made the song famous, and Anton Karas also featured the evergreen in the film “The Third Man.” Hilde Loewe herself performed it in 1949 as a pianist together with tenor Rudolf Schock at a gala concert marking the 200th birthday of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
Born in Vienna in 1895, Loewe became one of the most sought-after piano accompanists after the First World War, working alongside Burgtheater actor Raoul Aslan, among others, who encouraged her to compose. She switched effortlessly between serious music and light entertainment; her charming, melodious works have an unmistakable Viennese flair.
In 1934, she married stage designer Otto Flatter, with whom she emigrated to England due to the authoritarian corporative state. In 1947, she received British citizenship and worked as a pianist and music teacher until old age.
Her songs are still performed today and are proof that her compositions grew out of a deep love of music, which, combined with her extraordinary talent, resulted in a distinctive sound. The gold coin “Hilde Loewe-Flatter, Musician” honors a body of work that will never be silenced – a shining symbol of the timeless power of her creativity.
Coin description:
The face value side shows Hilde Loewe-Flatter in profile, lost in thought.
On the other side, a pianist looks directly at us. But not her entire face is visible; an “empty” area has been placed in front of the left half of her face, against which the mask of a man stands out. This mask represents Henry Love, the pseudonym under which Loewe-Flatter published her compositions.
| Product No. | 28178 |
| Date of Issue | 28 January 2026 |
| Quality | Proof |
| Series | Austria's Unsung Heroines |
| Face Value | 50 Euro |
| Diameter | 22.00 mm |
| Coin Design | Mag. Helmut Andexlinger, Kathrin Kuntner |
| Alloy | Gold Au 986 |
| Fine Weight | 7.78 g / 0.25 oz |
| Total Weight | 7.89 g |
| Packaging | Comes in a case complete with a numbered certificate of authenticity and protective slipcase |
| Mintage (Proof) | 20,000 |
