coins and currency were genuine.
In ancient markets, especially across Asia, traders stamped coins after verifying their weight and purity. These marks acted as a guarantee of authenticity. Over time, coins gathered multiple stamps, increasing trust in their value.
As paper money replaced coins, the practice continued. Instead of metal, merchants marked banknotes with ink stamps. These symbols showed that a bill had already been checked and accepted.
This became common in regions where foreign currencies circulated widely. Traders used marks as quick visual confirmation, helping transactions move faster in