Hroshyk - Vytautas "Columns" Countermark Group II

The countermarking of Jochid (Golden Horde) dangs with the Columns (Kolyumny) sign began in the early 1420s and continued (likely with interruptions) for just under half a century, later echoing as a remnant in Mstislavl. The first "anchor point" marking the beginning of Lithuanian countermarking is September 1421, when Bek-Sufi died—the "Solkhat Emperor" and Vytautas's protege on the throne of Crimea, the "minor sultanate"

Based on the types of Horde coins used as host bases for applying the Lithuanian countermarks, the latter are divided into 16 groups, among which Dangs of Öz Beg, Jani Beg, Tokhtamysh, Pulad, Sarai & Crimean khans, Tatar-Genoese aspers, Non-Horde, including Russian, coins and imitations etc.

Lithuanian countermarks featuring the Columns sign are divided into three main groups: those without dots inside the sign (Group I, presumably Severian), those with one dot (Group II, likely Kyivan), and those with four dots (Group III, Podolian). All of them began to be stamped onto eastern coins during the reign of Vytautas, whose princely emblem happened to be the Columns.

Group II

Columns with a dot on the left:

6270.1 - the horizontal line of the central tower projects to the right beyond the vertical one. The first stage of the countermark's life.

6270.2 - The same, but gradual deterioration of the countermark die occurs: first, the right turret "grows into" its edge; then the dot increases in size, and a thin crack appears, connecting it to the central turret. The lines of the lower part of the central tower thicken, the protrusion of the horizontal band flattens out; the edges of the lower part of the central tower become "fuzzy". The second stage of the previous countermark's life.

6272 - numerous cracks.

6273 - the dot is connected to the lines of the symbol and the edge of the countermark.

6274 - the dot is connected to the lines of the symbol and the edge of the countermark.

Columns with a dot on the right:

6280 - a small scratch at the bottom right of the central tower.

6282 - tall central tower.