8 Reales Type II Counter-mark

Guatemala's counter-marking program of the late 1830s was a direct response to the monetary chaos following Central American federation collapse. Existing 8 reales — often Spanish colonial or Mexican republic issues — were officially stamped to authenticate them for continued circulation under the new Guatemalan state. The Type II counter-mark distinguishes itself from the earlier Type I by its execution and authenticating punch design, though both served identical fiscal purposes during the same fractious period.

Attribution can be complicated by the host coin beneath the stamp, which varies considerably and affects collector valuation independently of the counter-mark itself.