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50 Heller
| Issuer | Melk, City of |
|---|---|
| Year | 1920 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | 50 Hellers (0.50) |
| Currency | Log in to see details |
| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Size | Log in to see details |
| Shape | Log in to see details |
| Printer | Log in to see details |
| Designer(s) | Log in to see details |
| Engraver(s) | Log in to see details |
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| Reference(s) | Log in to see details |
| Obverse description | Central vignette of Melk Abbey castle set slightly left of centre, flanked by a standing male allegorical figure to the left and a standing female allegorical figure to the right. A vertical text panel at right carries the note's denomination and validity inscriptions in German letterpress. |
|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | Melk an der Donau Gutschein über Fünfzig 50 heller Giltig bis 30. September 1920 Die Unterzeichneten hasten für die einlosung dieses Gutscheines in gesetzl. Bargelde (Translation: Melk On The Danube Voucher for Fifty 50 Heller Valid until September 30, 1920 The undersigned vouch for the redemption of this chit in legal cash) |
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| Comments |
Austrian Notgeld of this type was produced in enormous quantities between 1919 and 1922, driven partly by genuine coin shortages and partly by the rapidly growing collector trade that municipalities quickly learned to exploit. Melk's issues were among those clearly designed with the philatelic market in mind — short print runs, attractive local imagery, sold directly to collectors as sets. Whether this particular piece ever passed through a baker's hands or a market stall is genuinely uncertain.
The Heller itself ceased to be legal tender in 1924 when Austria redenominated, rendering the entire Notgeld series worthless overnight.