WikiCoins:Countermarked coin



Countermarked coin is a coin marked after being minted and while it is in circulation. Marking can mean that the coin is fit for circulation or has been revalued. The latter is the case for countries that experience rapid changes in inflation and need to quickly change currency valuations.

Background
Countermarked coins were common in the 19th century. Marking can mean that the coin is fit for circulation or has been revalued. It was also very common for merchants to advertise their services by stamping coins, called Counterstamped coins, and passing them back into circulation.

Questions
Collectors often find coins with numbers and/or letters stamped into coins. The practice of advertising a business or service by stamping coins, especially Large Cents, and passing them back into circulation was common in the past but many coins don't say anything.

The origin of these coins appears to vary.