If you’re over the age of 40, there’s a good chance that at some point in your childhood an older relative slipped you a $2 bill. Throughout their history, these bills were never widely accepted by the public or used consistently.
But have you ever wondered what that $2 bill is worth now? Because this paper currency is no longer in production, some bills are cashing in atmuch higher valuesthan you might expect.
History of the $2 bill’s value
Apparently, receiving a $2 bill in the 1920s was considered a jinx — so much so thatgambling establishments, such as casinos and racetracks forbade them from being paid out.
Later on, their negative association dissolved, and some American factories purposely paid their employees in $2 bills so they could be used locally. This was done with the hope to demonstrate the importance of the industry to local vendors.
In 1974, the Department of the Treasury revived the $2 bill for the United States Bicentennial. The face remained the same, but the back was redesigned to have a vignette of the Declaration of Independence inspired by the famous John Trumbull painting.
Check your quarters — they could be worth more than you think
Some error quarters, which have been misprinted or otherwise damaged during the minting process, can be worth hundreds of dollars.
Rarity and demand dictate the value of this special bill. They account for less than .0001% of all currency in circulation, which makes them look — on paper — super rare, but that’s not actually the case for all $2 bills.
Circulated banknotes have been used by the general public and often appear worn and dirty. On the other hand, uncirculated bank notes can appear in mint condition.
Generally speaking, a $2 bill is typically worth $2 if it was produced between 1976 and 2013. Even an uncirculated $2 bill won’t be worth more than face value if it was printed after 1976. However, most $2 bills were created between 1862 and 1918 and are highly collectible, fetching at least $50 in well-circulated condition. However, if you have one that’s in mint condition that was produced during this time, it might be worth $500 or more. Some uncirculated varieties are valued at more than $1,000.
To get a rough idea of its value, compare your bill’s year to theU.S. Currency auction’s list. Look for any special printings, seal colors and serial numbers. Newer bills contain a green seal while the earliest bills contain red and brown seals.
Don’t spend it just yet
Even if your $2 bill isn’t worth more than a couple bucks, that doesn’t mean you should spend it — and that’s not because it hasn’t increased in value. It’s because people are still suspicious of them. So much so, there’s a film called “The Two Dollar Bill Documentary“ that mentions several incidents of workers thinking they’re being scammed and calling the police on customers attempting to use them.
Also, even if it’s worth more on thecollectibles market, it’s still only worth $2 if you spend it at a store. That is if the establishment even lets you pay with it!
Because most people think the $2 bill is worth more than face value, many people have tucked them away in a safe spot over the years. This means there’s a large supply of well-preserved bills out there. Do you have one? Check to see what year it was printed. It might be worth much more than you think!
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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.
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.
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.)
“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.”
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.
A unique combination of eleven numbers and letters appears twice on the front of the note. Each note has a unique serial number. The first letter of the serial number corresponds to the series year.
According to U.S. Currency Auctions, some versions of the $2 bill are valued at nearly $5,000. The company said $2 bills from 1890 with a brown or red seal could sell for up to $4,500. But that's not all. Some newer versions of the $2 bill could also have a higher value.
A green seal to the right of the portrait represents the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The design of the seal was changed to incorporate an English inscription and appears on all Federal Reserve notes of the 1969 series year or later.
What Is a Silver Certificate Dollar Bill Worth Today? These certificates no longer carry monetary value as an exchange for silver, yet they are still legal tender at their face value. In the market, silver certificates are often worth more than their face value (e.g., $1) as collectors still seek out these prints.
The value of a $2 bill, including those from the 2017 C series with a red star, typically depends on its condition, rarity, and demand among collectors. Generally, a $2 bill is still worth its face value of $2 as legal tender.
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, according to the U.S. Currency Auctions website. You can find the value of your $2 bill by visiting the U.S. currency price guide.
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.
See the dark green numbers on the top-left and top-right corners? They could mean your bill is worth much more than its face value. If a serial number's digits are unique or interesting, collectors might be willing to pay big bucks — hundreds or even thousands of dollars — for your bill.
Serial numbers and condition of the bill are also important, per MarketWatch. 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.
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Introduction: My name is Maia Crooks Jr, I am a homely, joyous, shiny, successful, hilarious, thoughtful, joyous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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