An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Heller

by Friedrich Kluge

Heller, masculine, from the equivalent Middle High German heller, haller, masculine, ‘a copper coin worth about 1/17d.’; according to the ordinary supposition, “it was so called from the imperial town of Schwäbisch-Hall, where it was first coined.” The Old High German term halling, ‘obolus,’ which apparently contradicts this, is perhaps rightly regarded as identical with Middle High German hęlblinc, masculine ‘a fourth of a farthing.’