Prop Money vs Counterfeit Money

What’s the difference between Prop Money and Counterfeit Money?

Although they may look similar, Prop Money and Counterfeit Money serve completely different purposes and one is legal, the other is a serious crime. Below is a clear comparison to help you understand the differences.

Prop Money

Purpose: Created for movies, photoshoots, theater, and training purposes.

Legality: Legal when used properly and marked with disclaimers like “For Motion Picture Use Only.”

Markings: Clearly labeled to show it is not real money.

Intent: Used only for entertainment or education — not for spending.

Material: Usually printed on lower-quality paper, lacks real security features.

Common Uses: Film sets, skits, music videos, stage plays, or training scenarios.

Penalties: None, as long as it’s used correctly and not passed off as real currency.

Counterfeit Money

Purpose: Created to deceive people and be spent as real money.

Legality: Completely illegal. Counterfeiting is a federal crime in most countries.

Markings: Intentionally mimics real money without disclaimers or warnings.

Intent: Used to defraud businesses, individuals, or banks.

Material: Made to feel and look like authentic currency, sometimes with fake security features.

Common Uses: Attempting to buy goods, services, or trick others.

Penalties: Heavy fines, criminal charges, and possible jail or prison time.

The Key Difference

Prop Money is legal when it’s clearly marked and used responsibly for creative purposes.

Counterfeit Money is illegal — even possessing it can lead to criminal charges.

Real Example of Legal Prop Money Use

A movie scene shows an actor handing over a briefcase full of cash. Those bills are fake, clearly marked, and used only for the shot. That’s legal Prop Money.

Real Example of Illegal Counterfeit Use:

Someone tries to pay at a store using fake $50 bills with no markings. That’s counterfeiting and it can result in arrest, fines, and prison though 90% of people use them and get away with it but not everyone might be that lucky.