Reverse In the central part, a two-line inscription in German '1 HELLER'. Below, the Latin letter 'J' - the mint mark of the Hamburg Mint. On the sides, laurel branches tied with a ribbon.
Obverse In the central part, the Imperial Crown of Germany. To the left, top, and right along the rim, the colony's name in German 'DEUTSCH OSTAFRIKA'. At the bottom, the year of issue '1909', flanked on both sides by a quatrefoil.