Mark (unit) Mark (unit) The Mark (from Middle High German: Marc, march, brand) is originally a medieval weight or mass unit, which supplanted the pound weight as a precious metals and coinage weight from the 11th century. The Mark is traditionally a half pound weight and was usually divided into 8 ounces or 16 Lot. The significance of the "Cologne Mark" (Kölner Mark) in the German-speaking areas corresponded to about 234 gram. Like the German systems, the French poids de marc weight system considered one "Marc" equal to half-a-pound (8 ounces). Like the pound of 12 troy ounces (373 g), the mark
Coinage metals well known in the Persian and Sassanids era. Most notably, in Susa and in Ctesiphon. However, there are many more, even for coins made from intrinsically precious metals. Precious metals are always used in bullion coins and some collectable coins. Coins not intended for circulation or for intrinsic value have also been made experimentally using an even larger variety of metals, since they function as fiat money. In general coins intended for circulation must have metal values considerably less than their face values, for reasons discussed below. Coins that are intended for circulation have some special requirements based on the