1920 - Austria - 20 Heller Notgeld - municipality of Wallsee

1920 - Austria - 20 Heller Notgeld - municipality of Wallsee
CA$4.50

🎨 Design & Imagery

  • Front (obverse):
    The center illustration shows Wallsee Castle (Schloss Wallsee), a prominent landmark overlooking the Danube River.
    The note prominently displays the value “20 Heller” on both sides of the central vignette.
    Below, the words “Gutschein der Gemeinde Wallsee a.D.” translate to “Voucher of the Municipality of Wallsee on the Danube.”

    • Signatures: The note is signed by the Vice Mayor (Vizebürgermeister) and Mayor (Bürgermeister).

    • Printed text and illustration are executed in black ink on a tan/orange background, typical of early 1920s Notgeld design aesthetics.

📅 Historical Context

After WWI, Austria (then the First Austrian Republic) suffered from hyperinflation and coin shortages. To maintain commerce, municipalities like Wallsee issued their own small-denomination vouchers (Gutscheine), typically in denominations of 10, 20, 50 Heller, etc.

These notes:

  • Circulated locally as real money, usually with a limited redemption period.

  • Were often beautifully designed, reflecting local pride and heritage.

  • Have since become popular with numismatists and collectors of Notgeld, valued for their artistry and historical significance.