[ad. Fr. contremarque (15th c. in sense 1 a): f. contre- in sense of COUNTER- 8 b + marque MARK.]
1. An additional mark put on something that has been marked before, for greater security, etc.
spec. a. A second or third mark placed on a bale of goods belonging to several merchants; b. the mark of the Goldsmiths’ Company (hall-mark) upon gold and silver articles, added to that of the artificer, to show that the metal is standard; c. a mark stamped upon a coin after its issue from the mint, to denote a change of value, etc.
1502. Arnolde, Chron. (1811), 111. And shall marke euery vesell therof with the marke of the said John de Castro and the countirmarke of the same J. Bolle.
1697. Evelyn, Numism., vi. 215. A blemish on the Countermark in some medals.
1727–51. Chambers, Cycl., s.v., In goldsmiths works, &c. the counter-mark is the mark, or punchion, of the hall, or company, to shew the metal is standard, added to that of the artificer who made it.
1806. Gregory, Dict. Arts & Sc., I. 446. Counter-marks are distinguished … in this, that being struck after the medal, they are indented.
1866. Athenæum, No. 2009. 567/1. An angel of Henry the Eighth with countermark.
1876. Humphreys, Coin-coll. Man., xvii. 217. The small types called countermarks were evidently struck on the coin after it had left the mint.
† 2. A mark, letter, etc., on a plan, corresponding to one in an explanatory description.
1665. J. Webb, Stone-Heng, 7. Mr. Camdens words relating to the Countermark B, are only saxa quae vocantur Cronets.
3. (See quot.)
1727–51. Chambers, Cycl., Counter-mark of a horse, is an artificial cavity, which the jockeys make in the teeth of horses that have out-grown the natural mark; to disguise their age, and make them appear as if they were not above eight years old.
