1) Coin of Scotland 
[coin] The merk was a Scottish silver coin. Originally the same word as a money mark of silver, the merk was in circulation at the end of the 16th century and in the 17th century. It was originally valued at 13s 4d (exactly ⅔ of a pound Scots, or about one shilling in English coin), later raised to 14s Scots. In addition to merks, half-me...
• (n.) An old Scotch silver coin; a mark or marc. • (n.) A mark; a sign.
Merk noun [ See Marc .] An old Scotch silver coin; a mark or marc. [ Scot.]
an ancient Scottish silver coin = 13 1/3 d.
This word originally meant to kill someone, but now it means to insult someone.