are often the initials of the mintmaster of a mint or small symbols (cross, star, coat of arms, heraldic device, etc.)
With his mark, the mintmaster assumed responsibility for ensuing the coins issued by his mint were in accordance with the regulations.
[1] Mintmaster marks were used as early as the time of bracteate coinage in the Holy Roman Empire, but these can only rarely be deciphered.
For example in the Electorate of Saxony: In Brandenburg: In Mecklenburg: In Florence: Mintmaster marks appear from the late Middle Ages.
This is the artist's signature and at the same time the mintmaster's mark of the Palatinate court medallist, coin die cutter and mint master, Anton Schäffer.