Skip to main content
countermark

countermark

9.3
A mark stamped on coins, documents, or goods to show they are official
  • noun
  • /ˈkaʊntərˌmɑrk/
  • Specialized
translation icon : contramarca
  • When buying luxury goods, always check for the proper countermark to ensure it's genuine.

Examples

  • The old coin had a faded countermark indicating its authenticity.

  • To verify its origin, the museum required a countermark on the ancient artifact.

  • "No countermark?" the official smiled.

    Fiction book (1992)

Synonyms

stamp
vscountermark
73 1.0

A mark made by pressing or printing to show official approval

is specifically an official mark used for validation or reissue beyond printing
marker
vscountermark
71 2.0

A sign or symbol that shows who something belongs to

serves as an official stamped sign for validation or origin
marking
vscountermark
69 3.0

A pattern or sign on something that helps you tell it apart

focuses on official stamping rather than general identification signs
hallmark
vscountermark
  • Specialized
3 5.3

A small official mark on gold or silver that shows where it was made and how pure it is

is stamped on coins documents and goods to show validation or ownership
watermark
vscountermark
3 4.4

A faint design in paper you see when you hold it up to the light

is a stamped official mark used on physical items for ownership or origin
mintmark
vscountermark
  • Specialized
1 9.1

A small letter or sign on a coin that shows the place it was made

is used more widely to show validation reissue origin or ownership
assay-mark
vscountermark
  • UK
9.9

A small stamped sign on a gold or silver item that shows its purity and maker

is used on coins documents and goods rather than only on metals
cachet
vscountermark
  • Formal
9.5

A seal or mark on a letter that shows it is official

is applied by stamping to coins goods or documents to show validation

How Official

seal
  • Formal
106 4.2
countermark
  • Specialized
9.3
stamp
73 1.0
mark
167 2.0

Surface Forms

countermark singular
countermarks plural

Morphology

countermark = counter + mark (semi-transparent) = counter + mark

Both component words are visible, but the specific specialized meaning 'a stamped validation or reissue mark' is a technical sense not obvious to all learners.

Etymology

The word countermark comes from the parts counter- meaning 'against' or 'again' and mark meaning 'a sign'. So a countermark is an extra mark put on a coin, document, or goods to show it has been checked, reissued, or who owns it.