“Cross with four dots” mark. Visiting the site www.theresia.name you see under Soumenep nr. S5 a rough sample of this mark. There is also mentioned: 1) This mark is till now NOT found on Maria Theresia Thalers. 2) The mark exists on a Mexican 8 reales piece and was mentioned to be “from Sumatra” (a large Indonesian island.) during an presentation, without further explanation. I also found this mark on a Mexican cob of 1729 in the book “Cobs Pieces of Eight and Treasure Coins” by Sewall Menzel, page 121. The attachment to this message shows a One Keping of the “Island of Sultana (= Sumatra) issued 1828-1830, but dated 1804. This is a Token of Singapore merchants, a fantasy piece for trade in the region with a.o. the North coast of Sumatra. Please look at the Immitation Coat of Arms of the British East-India Company. In the left upper quarter of this arms you see the exact picture of our chopmark. (See: “Encyclopedia Coins of Malaysia Singapore and Brunei 1400-1967” by Saran Singh for this Token) I am of the opinion, that this chopmark is done for trade in this region by merchants of Singapore or of the Trading Posts on the North Coast of Sumatra. Cobs and Pieces of Eight were found here in plenty. I do NOT believe this mark is applied during the Mexican Revolution, as stated by GDJMSP. If you has a reference, I would like to know. I have an extensive library on South American and Mexican coins and did not find this mark anywhere in this literature. Any further information is most appreciated. Thanks.
My reference was World Dollars - Pictorial Guide 1477-1877 by Lee M. Batchell. Yes, there was a very similar countermark used in Sumatra. But it is an entirely different size mark, and slightly different in design, than that used by Mexico.
Is it possible... Dear GDJMSP, Is it possible and are you willing to help me by sending a scanned copy of the coin with this chopmark from the book World Dollars a Pictural Guide. I appreciate your help very much. Thanks and regards, Bernard Olij
Can't post it there due to copyright laws. But I'll send you one. Gimme some time though, am in the middle of moving clear across the country. So if you don't get it in a few weeks, remind me.
