Exchanging Dollars with Stamps and Other Marks

It’s hard to find reliable information about the mysterious signs that sometimes appear on American currency. However, several theories found online suggest possible origins:

➖ A bank employee might mark the bills during counting;

➖ Many individuals and exchange offices in Southeast Asia and Africa use such marks to indicate genuine bills;

➖ Black market dealers may use them to track the movement of their goods (such as drugs or weapons).

A small stamp or even several tiny marks on a dollar bill does not affect its market value, but it can sometimes make the note harder to use.

How to Exchange Such Bills in Asian Countries (e.g., Bali)?

1️⃣ You can try visiting several small exchange offices. Some of them might accept the marked bills due to lack of awareness or other reasons. However, the exchange rate will likely be lower than usual.

2️⃣ Go to a bank branch. Initially, they will most likely refuse. But don’t give up — explain that you know the exchange is possible after verification and that you’re willing to wait. In that case, the bank may accept the bills, send them to their head office (e.g., Permata Bank sends them to Jakarta), and once they receive a response, they’ll invite you back to exchange them for rupiah.

But… considering “Bali time,” this process can take from 10 days to… (it’s unpredictable).

There’s also a risk of delays or even losing track of the transfer (not out of malice, just due to the nature of how things work in some countries).

If you happen to spot some marks near Benjamin Franklin’s portrait, there’s no need to panic — the money is still valid and there are ways to exchange it.

The most important factors that affect exchange are the bill’s condition: it must be intact, free of tears, excessive wear, or other visual damage.