Chop marks on coins

Do you know how when you draw or write on paper using a pencil, you leave a mark on the paper? These marks can be erased or rubbed off easily.

Well, when coins were used as money a long time ago, people didn't have pencils for writing on paper. Instead, they used sharp tools (like knives or chisels) to make marks on the coins. These marks are called "chop marks."

Chop marks are kind of like a stamp or a signature. They show that someone looked at the coin and approved of it or used it as payment.

Chop marks are usually small and not very deep, so they don't damage the coin too much. Sometimes, people make chop marks in a certain pattern or shape to show that they belong to a particular group or organization.

Some people collect coins with chop marks because they think they are interesting or unique. So, chop marks can actually make a coin more valuable!