A Latin manuscript of the ninth century shows the comma and an inverted semicolon ([Symbol: Comma above Period]) having a value between the semicolon and colon.

Mediaeval manuscript pointing, therefore, approximates modern forms in places, but lacks standardization into recognized systems.
The spread of printing brought new needs into prominence.

The early printers used the period at the end of the sentence, the colon, and sometimes the slanting line (/).

A reversed semicolon was used as a question mark.

Wynkyn de Worde, Caxton's successor in the printing business in London, used five points in 1509.