The mark was originally a unit of weight for gold and silver common throughout western Europe, and was equal to 8 troy ounces. Variations throughout the Middle Ages were, however, considerable.
Like the pound (12 troy ounces), the mark was also used as a unit of currency, e.g. in many Shakespearean plays set in medieval England, and in various incarnations in Germany until the adoption of the euro in 1999.
See also:
Last updated: 05-25-2005 12:15:13
