Privy mark (left) of drs. Chr. van Draanen and mint mark on a Dutch coin.

A privy mark was originally a small mark or differentiation in the design of a coin for the purpose of identifying the mint, moneyer, some other aspect of the coin's origin, or to prevent counterfeiting. One of the first instances of a privy mark used as a counterfeit measure was during the 17th century in a plan proposed by Sir Edward Ford to mint farthings, halfpence and three-farthings.[1]

The main distinction between a privy mark and a mint mark lies in their purposes. Unlike a mint mark, which indicates the coin's place or source of minting, a privy mark may also indicate where a coin was minted and serves as a design and marketing element to honor a significant occasion or denote its inclusion in a specific collection.[2][3] Some privy marked coins – such as the Canadian Silver Privy Marked Maple Leaf – may sell at a premium.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "ANS Digital Library: Mark Newby's St. Patrick coinage". numismatics.org.
  2. ↑ "Privy Marks & Mint Marks: Knowing the Difference | Bullion Exchanges". bullionexchanges.com.
  3. ↑ "Privy Marks on Coins - What Is a Privy Mark?". bullionmax.com. Retrieved 2023-06-14.
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