A countermark is a stamp impressed on coins to indicate that they can be used in payment transactions. Foreign and domestic (older) money was usually countermarked. This practice was used as early as the times of the ancient Greeks and Romans, and continued through the Middle Ages and the modern era.
A countermark usually contained a mark or symbol, such as the coat of arms of the state that granted the coin the right to be used in circulation. For example, in the Middle Ages, Czech “broad groschen” received German countermarks to confirm their right to circulate in German lands. This practice was also present in Russia, where thalers from various European states were countermarked and then used as such in domestic payments.
A countermark provided security to merchants and citizens, confirming the authenticity of coins and facilitating the identification of the issuer. Although countermarks are no longer used today, their history and significance provide us with insight into the evolution of financial systems and trade relations between states.
Edited: Zlatko Viščević
Photos: Baldwin’s Auctions Ltd [baldwin.co.uk].
