Germany Heller, Schwäbisch Hall c. 1300-1400's

Germany Heller, Schwäbisch Hall c. 1300-1400's


AR Heller, 0.50g (19mm, 12h). Facing hand / Cross with pellet at each end

References: Saurma 1364

Grade: Nice for issue. EF  (wc1039)

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The German Heller bears the hand of God on the obverse, and a cross on the reverse. Before the Heller, there was never a reference to God reflected on a medieval coin. These coins, struck in the medieval town of Schwaebisch Hall, became one of the most popular and well circulated coins throughout Europe during the Roman Empire at the time. Thin and portable, the German Hellers were silver in composition but eventually they started to add base metals which turned the Hellers red in color. A saying came into fashion, “keinen roten Heller wert” or “not worth a red Heller” (“not worth a tinker’s curse).

While the Heller in its original state later fell from disuse, the monetary term stuck until 1873 and denoted a small value coin. After 1873 the mark was introduced and was the currency of Germany moving forward.