Pesa & Heller Set German East Africa (1890-1916)

Pesa & Heller Set German East Africa (1890–1916) – Original Coins of a Vanished Colonial Era

Few coins tell history as directly as the coins minted in German East Africa. With this set of 4 genuine original coins, you hold tangible witnesses to the years between 1890 and 1916 – from the very first Pesa of the German East Africa Company to the legendary Heller emergency coins from Tabora. The set is delivered Brilliant Uncirculated in a high-quality blister card.

The Most Important Facts at a Glance

• Contents: 4 historical original coins (Pesa & Heller)

• Region: Colony of German East Africa, German Empire

• Minting period: 1890 to 1916 (various years of issue)

• Material: Copper or copper alloy (copper-nickel/brass)

• Total material weight of the set: approx. 74 g

• Condition: Brilliant Uncirculated, new

• Packaging: Blister card

The Pesa – the Only German Coin with an Arabic Inscription

The historical opening is provided by the 1 Pesa, minted from 1890 by the German East Africa Company. It was the very first coin the German Empire issued for any of its colonies – and to this day it remains the only German coin bearing an Arabic inscription. One side shows the Imperial Eagle beneath the Imperial Crown and the inscription "DEUTSCH OSTAFRIKANISCHE GESELLSCHAFT", the other a laurel wreath with Arabic script. This coin design was deliberately conceived for the Arabic-speaking trade of the East African coast. At the time, the exchange rate was 64 Pesa to one Rupee.

The Heller – from Everyday Currency to Wartime Emergency Coin

With the German Empire's monetary sovereignty, the era of proper local coinage began in 1904. The Rupee was now divided into 100 Heller; the obverse and reverse feature the denomination, laurel branches, and the Imperial Crown. A special chapter is written by the 20 Heller of 1916 T: when the Allied naval blockade during the First World War cut off the supply of coins from Germany, a dedicated mint was established in Tabora – identifiable by the mint mark "T". The copper for these coins was partly sourced from cartridge cases and material salvaged from the sunken cruiser "Königsberg". These Tabora issues are regarded as the last money of the colony and are today among the most sought-after rarities of the German East Africa Heller series.

History You Can Touch

German East Africa encompassed the present-day states of Tanzania, Burundi, and Rwanda, and was the largest and most populous colony of the German Empire. From 1890, administration passed to the German Reich. The Usambara Railway from Tanga to Arusha, the Askari troops, and Kaiser Wilhelm II. define the image of that era. In addition to coins, the colony also issued its own banknotes – with every piece in this set, a fragment of that eventful period comes to life.

For Collectors and Preservers of Value

This set is primarily a collector's product of great historical appeal. Original colonial coins in this combination are becoming increasingly rare, as the pieces were produced over a century ago in limited numbers and were often in circulation for only a short time. In the market, individual coins typically appear in conditions ranging from fine to extremely fine – making it all the more appealing to receive four carefully selected originals here, Brilliant Uncirculated and united in a blister card.

Gold is humanity's oldest currency and has outlasted all others – yet copper coins such as these also carry a piece of genuine monetary history within them, combining the appeal of collecting with the fascination of tangible history.

Secure an authentic piece of German colonial history with the Pesa & Heller Set German East Africa – expertly assembled.