$2 Bill Pad (2024)

Introduction: $2 Bill Pad

About: My name is Randy and I am a Community Manager in these here parts. In a previous life I had founded and run the Instructables Design Studio (RIP) @ Autodesk's Pier 9 Technology Center. I'm also the author of t… More About randofo »

Amaze your friends, impress your family, confound sales clerks and infuriate wait staff with your very own $2 bill tear-off pad. As you peel bills off the stack, they will have a hard time believing your carefully bound bundle of bills are the real deal. This is not only a classy way to carry around your money, but sure to start conversations wherever you go.

When Babak of TOOOL first told me how to make a $2 bill pad, I just knew that I had to make my own. The idea has stayed in the back of my mind for a long while and when I got some extra cash for the holidays, I knew it was finally the right time. I am sure glad that I did and I highly recommend that you make one for yourself and your loved ones.

Step 1: Go Get Stuff

To make this, you will need:

- $100 dollars worth of brand new crisp $2 bills. It is easier than you may think to acquire these. Go to the largest bank in your area and simply ask the teller to exchange $100 for 50 crisp new $2 bills. If they don't have them on hand, then they should be able to order them for you. I went to the largest Wells Fargo branch in San Francisco for my $2 bills and the teller didn't even seem to flinch when I made this request.

- Rubber cement or padding compound

- (x3) 0.08" x 2.61" x 6.19" chipboards

- 2 to 3 quick release clamps


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Step 2: Bundle the Bills

Bundle the two dollar bills with with one of the pieces of cardboard on the bottom. The obverse side of the bill should be facing upward.

In case you didn't know, the obverse side is the one with the portrait on it. In this case of the $2 bill, the obverse side has a portrait of Thomas Jefferson.

Step 3: Clamp

Make sure the bills and the cardboard are all evenly lined up and then sandwich them between two more pieces of cardboard such that the top edge of the stack of bills sticks out a little.

The two pieces of cardboard function to protect your notepad from damage while being clamped. It is important they let the top of the bundle stick out a little, as this will be the pad's spine and you don't want to accidentally make the protective cardboard part of the pad.

Clamp the stack firmly in place, as close to the top of the protective cardboard as possible. I clamped both ends and then found that the middle was not being held tight enough for my liking. So, I placed a clamp in the middle as well. The goal should be to keep what will be the spine of your pad compressed as tightly as possible along its length so that the rubber coats the edge and does not seep between the bills.

Step 4: Glue the Spine

Apply a thin coat of rubber cement to the spine. Wait a few minutes and apply another thing coat.

Repeat doing this until there is a thick coat along the spine. I lost count of how many coats I put on, but it was probably around 10.

In retrospect, I would probably have liked to have made it even thicker still. The more coats you put on, the sturdier the spine will be and ultimately you are going to want to have a nice sturdy spine.

Step 5: Release

Give the rubber cement an hour or two to start to really settle and then release it from the clamp.

Carefully peel away the protective cardboard.

Also, you will probably need to clean rubber cement off of the top bill on the stack. Rather than spending a lot of time fussing with this and risk damaging the spine, I peeled this bill off and then quickly rubbed it clean.

If all went well, you should now have a pad of $2 bills which can be exchanged for goods and services. Go forth into the world and spend - darn you - spend!

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$2 Bill Pad (2024)

FAQs

What $2 bill is worth $20,000? ›

Serial numbers

A serial number '1' for a 1976 $2 bill would be worth $20,000 or more. But [for] a majority of those people holding 1976 $2 bills, they are only worth face value. There are very few that actually exceed face value.” Other high-value serial numbers include what collectors call “solid” or “ladders.”

What is the rarest $2 bills? ›

If your $2 bill dates back to 1886 and has a red seal with a silver certificate, you're in luck. That bill is worth $4,500. A number of other iterations of the $2 bills with a red seal can also fetch well over a $1,000. Bills with brown seals are also very valuable.

Can you still get $2 bills at the bank? ›

Local banks should have $2 bills. If your bank does not have any current inventory, it can order $2 bills from the Federal Reserve Bank. Where can I purchase uncut sheet of currency? You can purchase uncut currency from the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (Off-site).

Is the $2 bill still legal tender? ›

While it's not as widely used, the $2 bill is still legal tender and is in circulation if you keep an eye out. In fact, some folks even make a point to request $2 bills from banks and stores — they make cool rewards for kids.

What rare $2 bill is worth $5000? ›

If the $2 bill was minted and printed before 1976, it would likely be worth more than its face value on the collectibles market. In some cases, it might be worth only $2.25. The highest value is $4,500 or more for uncirculated notes from 1890, although most of those bills range in value from $550 to $2,500.

Which one dollar bill is worth $150,000? ›

According to WealthyNickel, here's what you need to look for: Located near the image of George Washington should be a series date that reads “Series 2013.” The bill must have a “B” Federal Reserve Seal above the serial number.

What is a red seal $2 bill worth? ›

The auction site U.S. Currency Auctions estimates that uncirculated $2 bills from nearly every year up to 1917 are worth at least $1,000. If you've got a $2 bill with a red seal, it can sell for $3 to $2,500.

How do I tell if my $2 bill is worth anything? ›

To find the value of your $2 bill, look at the year and seal color. Bills with red, brown and blue seals from 1862 through 1917 can be worth up to $1,000 or more on the U.S. Currency Auctions website, which bases the value on recent and past paper currency auctions.

Are 3 dollar bills real? ›

Though a gold three-dollar coin was produced in the 1800s, and the Bahamian dollar (which is pegged to the US dollar) has a $3 banknote, no three-dollar bill has ever been produced in the United States. Various fake US$3 bills have also been released over time.

Can you get a $1000 dollar bill from the bank? ›

The United States no longer issues bills in larger denominations, such as $500, $1,000, $5,000, and $10,000 bills. But they are still legal tender and may still be in circulation. The U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing creates U.S. paper currency. Learn about paper money and how to recognize counterfeit currency.

Are 2 dollar bills worth saving? ›

A circulated $2 bill, even if it's from the 1800s, may only be worth a few hundred dollars, the auction service reports. Newer bills, like one printed in 2003, could also have significant value. A $2 bill recently sold at an auction for $2,400, according to Heritage Auction. (It later resold for $4,000.)

Can you get 50 cent coins at the bank? ›

Yes. In fact, most banks (Credit Unions are a different creature; some have them, as well) -Will have rolls of 50 cent pieces.

Can stores refuse 2 dollar bills? ›

In the United States, there is no federal law that requires a private business, person, or organization to accept currency or coins as payment for goods or services.

What does it mean when someone gives you a $2 bill? ›

Beyond its monetary value, the two-dollar bill serves as a symbol of abundance, balance, and spiritual alignment.

How do you know if your $2 bill is worth thousands? ›

You can find the value of your $2 bill by visiting their U.S. currency price guide online at uscurrencyauctions.com. U.S. Currency Auctions estimates that uncirculated $2 bills from 1890 could sell for up to $4,500, and uncirculated bills from nearly every year between 1862 and 1917 for at least $1,000.

What serial numbers on $2 bills are worth money? ›

If the serial number, printed on the left and right sides of the bill's face, starts with the number 1 and was printed in 1976, you could have hit the jackpot — the bill could be worth more than $20,000, per MarketWatch. Other serial numbers that would interest collectors are "solid" or "ladder" serial numbers.

How much are $2 bills worth in 2024? ›

Unless it has a unique feature, like a low serial number or misprint, a newer $2 bill likely isn't worth much more than $2, even if it's uncirculated.

How much is a 1776 $2 bill worth today? ›

Issue of July 22, 1776
Issue of July 22, 1776Value Range
Issue of July 22, 1776Value Range
Jul 22, 1776 $2 Continental Congress (Fr. CC39)$115.00 - $5,630 $115.00 - $5,630
Jul 22, 1776 $3 Continental Congress (Fr. CC40)$88.00 - $2,560 $88.00 - $2,560
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