1 Heller Pattern

Cologne's municipal authorities struck pattern pieces in gold during the early 1690s as part of ongoing negotiations over coinage rights — the city was perpetually at odds with both the Archbishop-Electors and the Imperial minting ordinances over what denominations it could legitimately produce. A gold Heller pattern represents a denomination so fractional in silver as to be almost absurd rendered in the precious metal, suggesting this was never intended for circulation but rather as a presentation or submission piece to satisfy Imperial or archiepiscopal scrutiny.

The Noss reference notes a variety, indicating at least minor die differences exist within this small group of survivors.