How the 25 Heller 1932 came about
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| 7 April 1932 | The Ministry of Finance commissions the idea of a new 25-heller coin. |
| 21 May 1932 | The committee selects a 21 mm diameter and a coarse reeded edge. |
| 25 June 1932 | Otakar Španiel is commissioned to make the models. |
| Autumn 1932 | Sample strikes are produced and both the numeral 25 and the state emblem are refined. |
| 14–16 December 1932 | The final strikes with the revised lesser state emblem. |
| 19 December 1932 | The pattern strikes are demonetised and most pieces are melted down. |
What survived now numbers only in the dozens. There are also several types with differing diameters and positions of the Slovak cross, which adds to the collector appeal of the entire issue.
Specifications and variants
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Metal | CuNi 80/20 |
| Diameter | 21 mm, pattern strikes up to 21.4 mm |
| Weight | 4 g |
| Edge | 105 reeds, coarse reeding |
| Designer | Otakar Španiel |
| Rarity | RR |
The variant with a 21 mm diameter and the cross set slightly back from the edge of the shield is regarded as the later, more definitively approved type.
Original vs. imitation: a 30-second checklist
- Diameter and weight — 21.0 ± 0.05 mm and 4.00 ± 0.05 g.
- Edge — coarse, regular reeds, not fine and shallow grooves.
- Slovak cross — type I touches the edge of the shield, type II leaves a small gap.
- Beaded border — the 25 Heller must have a pronounced beaded border that other denominations in this combination do not have.
Investment potential
- the low number of pieces and clearly distinguishable variants attract specialist collectors
- the regular series coin of 1933 does exist, but this pre-production rarity is in an entirely different league
- the historical story of a swiftly abandoned project adds to the collector appeal
- the market for Czechoslovak small denominations has been strengthening over the long term, and the 25 h 1932 is one of its leaders
Do you have a piece at home that could be one?
With the 25 Heller 1932, the right date alone is not enough. Both valuation and confirmation of authenticity require an experienced eye and precise measurement of the basic parameters.
Next step
Do you need to confirm the authenticity of a 25 Heller 1932?
Send us a photo of the obverse and reverse. We are glad to help with identification, appraisal, and placing it in an auction.