What does the M.C. mint mark stand for on 18th and 19th century German States coins. It stands for the Munz Commission. The Munz Commission was headed by the Munzwardein ( Mint-warden ). This person was commissioned by a Prince or a Bisop. His job was as the inspector of the precious metals being used to mint coins. It was the Munzwardein job to make sure the weights of the coins were what they needed to be. He would also make sure that the purity of the metal was what it needed to be. The mintwarden was in charge of testing the quality of the metal ores in mining. The mints would have a visit from the mint-warden and his team to make sure everything was being followed. I believe that heads would roll if mistakes were found. When the Munz Commission was checking a mint, all coins were given the Munz Commission mint mark of MC. It was during the ruling Hapsburgs in Austria and Germany that the establishment of the minting system started. It was known as the office of supreme Munzmeister (mintmaster ) . This supreme office was run by Dukes and Noblemen, they also supervised the kingdoms mining. There were other mint officials such as the master smith, the die-cutter and the minter. The Mint-warden (Munzwardein) had to make sure the minting processes were done correctly using the correct alloy. He had to take samples and give them to the sampling commission. The checks and baillances were followed to the very end. From mining to minting the coinage. There is a lot more to this process than what I've posted, but it should give some explanation.
