der Heller
Translation
heller, farthing, red cent
Examples
Das ist keinen Heller wert.
That's not worth a red cent.
Früher zahlte man mit Hellern und Pfennigen.
In the past, people paid with hellers and pfennigs.
Grammar Patterns
keinen Heller ((wert sein)) to not be worth a red cent This old vase isn't worth a red cent.
mit+3 ((bezahlen)) to pay with hellers In the past, you could pay with hellers.
Similar Words
Synonyms (figurative): der Cent (cent), der Groschen (dime/small coin)
Etymology
Named for the city of Schwäbisch Hall, where the coin was originally minted. The coins were called 'Haller Pfennige'.
Memory Tips
Most commonly heard in the idiom 'keinen Heller wert' (not worth a red cent). It's a historical coin, so you'll see it in historical contexts or sayings.