meaning behind the bow and arrow on select U.S. bills
Chop marks are small stamps applied by currency handlers or money changers. They signal that a bill has been inspected and verified as authentic. These marks are especially common in Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America, where counterfeit bills are more frequent.
The term “chop” comes from China, which has long stamped silver coins to prove authenticity and weight. Over time, merchants extended the practice to paper money. The U.S. dollar, widely circulated outside the United States, became a popular candidate for chop marking.
