Chopped Dollars Publique Deposited
The popular desig- nation for the Mexican silver Dollars stamped by one or more business firms in Chinese and Indo-Chinese ports as a token of their genuineness.
A decision of the United States Treas- ury Department dated April 18, 1905 (No. 26281 ) reads as follows: " On and after May 1, 1905, the silver dollar of Mexico will be valued at $0.498, as proclaimed on April 1, 1905 (Treasury Decision 26223). The duties on mer- chandise imported from countries other than Mexico, invoiced in so-called Mexican dollars, will be computed on the bullion value as heretofore."
In Treasury Decision 26560, which gives the value of foreign coins after July 1. 1905, the Mexican chopped dollar is cited for the first time, its value being given as $0.458.
The word " chop " - in China, India, etc., means an official impression of a seal or stamp.
Ovington, in A Voyage to Suratt , 1696 (251), says: " Upon their Chops, as they call them in India, or Seals engraven, are only Characters, generallv those of their Name."
Simmonds, in his Dictionary of Trade, 1859, has: " Chhap, an official mark on weights and measures to indicate their ac- curacy; an eastern Custom-house stamp or seal on goods that have been examined and have paid duty."
- Frey's Dictionary (American Journal of Numismatics, Vol. 50, 1916)