Augsburg's civic mint produced occasional gold Probeprägungen of base-metal denominations as presentation pieces, typically commissioned by the city council for distribution to dignitaries or as cabinet curiosities for wealthy collectors. The Heller was the lowest unit in circulation — struck in copper for everyday commerce — which made a gold restrike of it a deliberate paradox, the least valuable coin rendered in the most precious metal.
Forster's documentation of this piece places it firmly within a small sequence of mid-18th century Augsburg pattern activity. Survivors are extremely few.
Augsburg's civic mint produced occasional gold Probeprägungen of base-metal denominations as presentation pieces, typically commissioned by the city council for distribution to dignitaries or as cabinet curiosities for wealthy collectors. The Heller was the lowest unit in circulation — struck in copper for everyday commerce — which made a gold restrike of it a deliberate paradox, the least valuable coin rendered in the most precious metal.
Forster's documentation of this piece places it firmly within a small sequence of mid-18th century Augsburg pattern activity. Survivors are extremely few.