Leslie Massey
The 2 Heller was a coin used in the Austrian Empire from 1892 to 1916. It is identifiable by the double-headed eagle, a symbol that also appears on Hungarian, Russian, and German coins. The Austrian 2 Heller is differentiated by the 1867-1915 coat of arms of Austria-Hungary, which features a double-headed imperial eagle with a Habsburg-Lorraine shield on its breast. The value of the coin is displayed within a wreath, with the date below, all enclosed in an art nouveau-style frame.
Explore related products
The double-headed eagle
In the context of the 2 Heller Austrian coin, the double-headed eagle is a key identifier. This symbol was also commonly used in Hungary, Russia, and other Eastern European countries. However, it is particularly associated with the Austrian Empire due to its adoption by the Habsburgs.
The Habsburgs adopted the double-headed eagle as their symbol when they became emperors of the Holy Roman Empire in the 16th century. It served to underscore their ties to the imperial title and reinforce their claim to power over Latin Christendom. The eagle was often depicted with a halo or nimbus around its two heads, further emphasising the sacred elevation of imperial majesty.
When the Holy Roman Empire dissolved in 1806, the Habsburgs continued to use the double-headed eagle as their emblem for the Austrian Empire. This decision further solidified their association with the legacy of the Holy Roman Emperors. With the establishment of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1867, the two heads of the eagle were popularly interpreted as representing the Austrian and Hungarian halves of the monarchy.
When to Plant Austrian Winter Peas for Best Results
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Habsburg-Lorraine shield
The coat of arms of the House of Habsburg-Lorraine features a double-headed imperial eagle with the Habsburg-Lorraine shield on its breast. This symbol was also used on coins, including the 2 Heller of the Austrian Empire. The 2 Heller coin features a double-headed eagle with a large '2' on the side with the 'apple' pattern. The double-headed eagle symbol was also used on Hungarian, Russian, and German coins, but the specific design details differentiate these from the Austrian 2 Heller.
The double-headed eagle symbol has its origins in the Byzantine and Holy Roman Empires, where the two heads represented the dual sovereignty of the emperor, ruling both church and state. The coats of arms of the House of Habsburg-Lorraine, including the shield and eagle, were heraldic emblems that represented their members and territories, such as Austria-Hungary and the Austrian Empire.
The use of the shield and eagle continued to evolve as the political landscape changed. After the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867, the eastern part of the empire, known as Transleithania, came under the domination of the Kingdom of Hungary. This resulted in the integration of the arms of the Kingdom of Hungary into the shield, along with two angels, supporters, and the crown of St. The western part of the empire, Cisleithania, continued to use the shield of the Empire with the seals of various member territories located around the central shield.
Austria-Hungary's Pre-WWI Colonial Empire: Extent and Impact
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![[New Modernist Type] [Author: Steven Heller] [September, 2012]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61QEBOzGhiL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
The date
The Austrian 2 Heller coin was minted between 1892 and 1916. The date of the coin is typically found below the value, which is itself found above twigs, within an art nouveau-style frame. The date is written in numerical form, with the four digits indicating the year. For example, a 2 Heller coin from 1908 would have "1908" written below the value.
The 2 Heller coin was introduced in Austria-Hungary in 1892 and remained in circulation until after the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918. The Heller was the term used for 1/100 of the Austro-Hungarian krone, the currency of the Austrian half of the empire (the other being the fillér in the Hungarian half).
The Heller coin first appeared in Switzerland and states of the Holy Roman Empire as early as the 12th or 13th century. It was originally valued at half a pfennig, but its value gradually decreased over time. The coin was made of silver, but its composition deteriorated with the mixing of copper, and it eventually ceased to be a silver coin. After the Second World War, the Heller coin only survived in Czechoslovakia and Hungary.
In addition to the date, the Austrian 2 Heller coin can be identified by its design, which features a double-headed eagle, the symbol of the Holy Roman Empire, representing dual sovereignty of the emperor over both church and state. The coin also features the value above twigs within an art nouveau-style frame. The design may vary slightly depending on the year of minting, with some coins featuring an "apple" pattern and a large "2" on one side.
Austria's Culture: Individualism or Collectivism?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The value
The design of the coin also affects its value. A 2 heller coin with the 1867–1915 coat of arms of Austria-Hungary, featuring a double-headed imperial eagle with a Habsburg-Lorraine shield on its breast, is more valuable. The value is indicated by the presence of "twigs" or "sprays" above it, with the date of the coin below, all enclosed in an Art Nouveau-style frame.
The double-headed eagle was also used on Hungarian, Russian, and other Eastern European coins, so the presence of this symbol alone is not enough to identify the coin as Austrian. The Austrian variety can be identified by the large number "2" on the side with the "apple" pattern.
Football Players' Salaries in Austria: NFL Comparisons
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The edge
The 2 Heller Austrian coin is identifiable by the double-headed eagle on its face, a symbol that was also used on Hungarian, Russian, and German currency. The Austrian version features the 1867-1915 coat of arms of Austria-Hungary, with a Habsburg-Lorraine shield on the eagle's breast. The value of the coin is displayed within an art nouveau-style frame, surrounded by twigs, with the date below.
The 2 Heller coin was minted between 1892 and 1916, during the reign of Franz Joseph I (1848-1916). The 1912 coin from this series is particularly sought-after, with a market price of $6. The 1 Heller coin from the same year, graded PCGS MS67 RD, is even more valuable, fetching $475.
The 2 Heller coin is part of a series that includes 1 Heller and 20 Heller denominations. The 1 Heller coin from this series can be distinguished by a large '1' on the side with the 'apple' pattern, while the 2 Heller features a large '2'. These coins are typically more valuable in better condition, with uncirculated coins being the most prized.
The double-headed eagle symbol has its origins in the Byzantine and Holy Roman Empires, representing the dual sovereignty of the emperor over both church and state. This symbol was also used on the coins of other Eastern European countries, although it was particularly favoured by the Austrians.
German Confederation: Austrian Empie's Puppet or Partner?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Austrian 2 Heller coin features the 1867-1915 coat of arms of Austria-Hungary, which is a double-headed imperial eagle with a Habsburg-Lorraine shield on its breast. The value is above twigs, with the date below, within an art nouveau-style frame.
The common values of the Austrian 2 Heller coin are as follows:
- Worn: Less than $1 US dollar
- Average circulated: Less than $1
- Well preserved: $2
- Fully uncirculated: $6
The double-headed eagle was a symbol favoured by the old Austrians, and it appears frequently on Hungarian and Russian coins as well. It has origins in the Byzantine and Holy Roman Empires, where the two heads represented the dual sovereignty of the emperor, ruling both as church and state.
The Austrian 2 Heller coin was minted between 1892 and 1916.
Yes, there is a notable variety of the Austrian 2 Heller coin from 1912, during the reign of Franz Joseph I (1848-1916).
