Countermark

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A countermarked coin is a coin that has an extra mark punched into it after it was made and in circulation. This is an old practice that is no longer used. Countermarking happened for several reasons:

- Currency reform: when a country changes its money, existing coins could be stamped with the new value so they could stay in circulation instead of being recalled or melted.
- Accepting foreign coins: coins from other places could be stamped to become legal tender in the local area.
- Political change: a new government could stamp coins to show its authority.

Differences in terms:

- Counterstamp: usually applied with a die or machine, often by an official.
- Countermark: punched by hand, often by private individuals.
- Chopmarks: small marks by money changers or bankers on foreign coins, a kind of countermark.

Punchmark or punchmarked coins refer to ancient Indian coins where symbols were punched onto metal pieces to indicate weight or value.

This practice is now obsolete and has been replaced by standard minting and currency systems.