Every so often, someone notices a strange symbol on a U.S. $20 bill—often described as a bow and arrow, crown, spider, or abstract drawing—and immediately wonders:
- Is this a secret symbol?
- A hidden message?
- A rare error worth money?
- Or proof the bill is fake?
Let’s clear it up properly—no myths, no panic, just facts.
First: This Is NOT an Official U.S. Currency Symbol
The U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) is very strict about what appears on banknotes.
There is no official bow-and-arrow symbol on any modern $20 bill.
So if you see a symbol like the one circled in the image, it is not part of the original design.
What It Actually Is (Most Common Explanations)
1️⃣ Ink Transfer or Pen Mark (Most Likely)
The vast majority of these symbols are caused by:
- Pen or marker ink transfer
- Someone doodling or testing a pen
- Ink bleeding through from another bill or paper
- Accidental marks during counting or handling
Because U.S. currency paper is cotton-linen, ink can:
- Spread oddly
- Create symmetrical shapes
- Look intentional when it’s not
Your brain tries to recognize patterns—this is called pareidolia.
2️⃣ Teller or Cash-Handling Marks
In banks, shops, and currency exchanges, bills sometimes get marked by:
- Counting machines
- Security pens
- Human sorting habits
These marks are not official, not tracked, and have no coded meaning.
3️⃣ Smudged Security Ink or Background Lines
$20 bills contain:
- Fine background engraving
- Micro-patterns
- Security inks
When these lines get smudged, folded, or stained, they can combine visually and form shapes that look symbolic—like bows, arrows, crowns, or insects.
But again:
This is accidental, not intentional.
What It Is NOT ❌
Let’s debunk the most common rumors:
❌ Not a secret government symbol
❌ Not a Freemason or Illuminati sign
❌ Not a mark of “tracked” money
❌ Not proof of counterfeit currency
❌ Not a rare printing error worth thousands
If it were a real printing error, it would:
- Appear on many bills in the same place
- Be documented by currency experts
- Be officially cataloged
This is not.
Is the Bill Still Valid?
✅ Yes. Absolutely.
As long as:
- The serial numbers are intact
- The bill isn’t torn excessively
- More than 50% of the bill remains
Ink marks do not cancel legal tender status.
You can:
- Spend it
- Deposit it
- Exchange it at a bank
When Should You Worry?
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