There exists a legendary coin in German folklore, whispered of in darkened rooms after one too many ales. Should someone come into a sum of money, and on counting it back find one piece missing, this coin is said to be to blame. To seek it out is the ultimate gamble – the risking of your very soul.
This coin is none other than the Hecktaler, also known as the Heckmünze or Heckpfennig. Granted to it’s lucky owner by the Devil, the Hecktaler represents the greatest prize – limitless wealth. For whenever its owner spends this coin it will be returned to his pocket before he returns home.
This is very fortunate for the spender of course, but not so much for the poor salesman who has unknowingly given away his goods for free. Essentially, the Hecktaler represents theft with extra steps, moving it firmly into the realm of the Devil, master over all illicit and diabolical acts.
Why a Hecktaler?
Hecktaler is a heckin’ great word, but where does it come from? Well, it’s a combination of two words. The first part comes from the old German word ‘Hecken’, meaning to multiply. A taler is a type of old German coin. Therefore, a Hecktaler is the Taler that multiplies. There are also other types of Heckmünze (Heck-coin), corresponding to different coin denominations, for example the Heckpfennig corresponding to the old German pfennig, or penny.
How to get a Hecktaler?
There’s no doubt the Hecktaler represents untold wealth! But how would someone go about earning themselves one of these infernal coins? Well, as I’m sure you will have guessed, the first step is to summon the Devil. As with many folkloric beliefs, this is time sensitive – the Devil must be summoned on New Year’s Eve after dark.
There are two ways to summon him; either by invoking him at a crossroads, or by walking backwards around a church three times.
Once he appears, you must receive the Hecktaler from him, either by trading for it or by tricking him. If you choose to trade, which is the safer option, you must be careful not to barter. The Devil will try and trick you, and if you accept anything other than the coin you set out for, he will claim your soul instead.
What does the Devil trade for? The stories record him trading for rabbits, chickens, and other choice morsels. He is not fond of cats, however, which are often used to trick him.
If all goes to plan you’ve won the folkloric lottery. Claim your prize and the infinite wealth it represents.
If not… well, you had a good run.
A story from Thuringia
Many tales exist of the infernal coin, and this article wouldn’t be complete without mentioning one from my home region of Thuringia.
There once was a man who had fallen on hard times. His crops had failed year on year, his milk had spoiled, and pests had destroyed what stores of food he once had.
In his desperation he turned to the one option he believed he had left. On New Year’s Eve he took a black cat and bundled it up, tying it closed with 99 knots. Then, after sunset, he travelled to his local church.
Once there, he began his ritual. Walking backwards, and with great care not to trip over gravestones, he completed a lap of the church. Then, he knocked on the door, but there was no answer. He completed this process twice more.
On the third rotation, and the third knock, the Devil answered.
‘I’ve come to trade,’ the man told him, ‘I have a rabbit here for you, and want one Hecktaler for it.’
The Devil readily agreed, handing the man an infernal coin in exchange for his sack.
The man grabbed the coin and ran home as fast as his legs could carry him, while the Devil began to undo the knots.
Unfortunately, the man he was too slow. He had not yet reached home when the last knot was undone, and his trickery revealed. In an instant the Devil returned for his coin… and the man’s soul.
Moss Matthey is a German witch, author, and cult survivor, born and raised in the Harz Mountains. He has experienced firsthand the liberating power of witchcraft, and has been set firmly on a path of self-discovery and enlightenment. He was mentored by Mhara Starling, author of Welsh Witchcraft and expert in Celtic Paganism. He now sits on the Council of the Sarffes Goch tradition of witchcraft which sees Mhara as its High Priestess. If you enjoy his work or have any questions feel free to get in touch!
I’ve never met anyone practicing a German form of witchcraft who publishes online in English – what luck! When I first read the word Hecktaler I wondered if this might shed light on the substitution of “heck“ for “hell“ (which is how my generation, as children, swore without getting in trouble for it) but I guess that would have been too simple! My German ancestors were mostly Frisians and Saxons (from Niedersachsen), and the most recent immigrants were Deutsch-Böhmisch Egerländers, some from near Karlsbad and others from Pilsen, who considered themselves former subjects of the Bohemian crown but Austrian by nationality, and German only in the broadest linguistic and cultural sense (ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑚𝑎𝑡 was everything in those days). The only one I ever knew was my great-grandmother; very often called a witch, but mostly due to her sour disposition rather than any intuitive or conjuring skills. She liked me though, as my mom was her favorite granddaughter, though I could never get her to open up about her craft and let me in on her secrets (because she didn’t have any and probably thought I was demented for pestering her about it!). Anyway, it was nice to hear from you and I hope there will be more that you can teach me!