countermark

1 of 2

noun

coun·​ter·​mark

1

: an added mark designed to secure greater safety or more complete identification:

a

: a mark put on a package of goods belonging to several persons to show that it may not be opened except in the presence of all

b

: a hallmark added to that of the artificer of gold or silver work

2

: an artificial cavity formerly made in the teeth of horses to disguise their age compare bishop entry 3

3

a

: a mark on a coin that is not part of the original design but that has been added as indication of a change in the coin's value, in its issuing authority, or in its country of circulation

The 18 stiver coin of St. Martin issued in 1809 shows a bundle of arrows as countermark.

b

: a mark on a coin added as attestation of purity or standard value : chop mark

countermark

2 of 2

transitive verb

: to apply a countermark to

countermark silverware

Coins were countermarked with a "V".

Word History

Etymology

Noun

translation of Middle French contremarque

Transitive verb

translation of French contremarquer

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