differences - Your signature vs your mark


Is there a difference between your 'signature' and your 'mark'? One of the comments on this post on Bruce Schneier's blog claims there is:



This might be out of date in these days of 100% literacy (yes, that is sarcasm) but it's not actually your "signature", it's your "mark". This is why serious contracts require witnesses.



If there is a difference, then what exactly is it?



Answer



Traditionally, if a party to a contract were unable to sign their name, they would literally make their mark (and often get a witness to sign that they had made the mark themselves).


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