How Much is a $2 Bill Worth?

“Many Americans have pretty dubious assumptions about the $2 bill. Nothing happened to the $2 bill. It’s still being made. It’s being circulated,” said Heather McCabe, a writer and $2 bill evangelist who runs the blog Two Buckaroo.

My son’s eyes light up whenever he comes across a $2 bill. He believes they could be worth a fortune, so he insists that we keep them.

I recall a time when I used a $2 bill to give a tip because it was the only cash I had, and he became quite disappointed with me for giving away the only $2 bill we owned.

Circulation of $2 Bills

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) plans to produce a maximum of 204 million $2 bills this year as per the Federal Reserve System’s annual order. According to the most recent data from the Federal Reserve, there were 1.4 billion $2 bills in circulation in 2020.

However, it’s important to note that despite their circulation quantity, $2 bills represent only a minuscule fraction, specifically 0.001%, of the total value of the currency in circulation, which amounts to $2 trillion.

Facts About $2 Bills

• The $2 bill was first printed in 1862 and is still in circulation today, according to the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Bureau of Engraving and Printing.

• The original $2 bill featured a portrait of Alexander Hamilton, , the first Secretary of the Treasury, but was redesigned in 1869 to feature Thomas Jefferson, the third U.S. president.

• The most recent design of the $2 bill dates back to 1963.

• $2 bills minted and printed before 1976 may have a higher value in the collectibles market.

• Uncirculated $2 bills from 1890 can be worth $4,500 or more, with most ranging from $550 to $2,500.

• Original uncirculated $2 bills from 1862 range in value from $500 to over $2,800, while 1869 notes can fetch $3,800 or more.

• Certain uncirculated $2 bills from 1995 can have a value of $500, and $2 bills from the 2003 premium Federal Reserve set of 12 may be worth $700 or more.

• Most $2 bills in circulation are worth their face value of $2.

• Despite being less commonly seen, $2 bills are still being printed.

Negative Reputation

The $2 bill has a controversial history, which has contributed to its limited circulation.

• Election Rigging: An urban legend suggests that the $2 bill gained a negative reputation due to widespread election rigging. The myth claimed that politicians would buy votes for $2, leading to the belief that possessing a $2 bill indicated that someone had sold their vote.

• Prostitution Association: During the early 1920s, the $2 bill became associated with prostitution due to the price of a sexual encounter being commonly referred to as “$2.00 a trick.” This association led to the bill being nicknamed the “whore note.”

• Gambling Tracks: At gambling tracks, the $2 window was used for placing bets. If someone won, they were often paid in $2 bills. Carrying these bills in one’s wallet could lead others to assume the person was a gambler.

• Bad Luck Belief: The $2 bill was considered unlucky by some due to the association of “deuce” as a term for the devil. To counter this perceived bad luck, recipients would tear off one corner of the bill, believing it would negate the negative effects. Consequently, many of these mutilated $2 bills were taken out of circulation.

• Military Usage: To overcome the public’s reluctance to use $2 bills, the Federal Reserve utilized them in military pay envelopes, USOs, Post Exchanges, commissaries, and other places frequented by soldiers from World War II until at least the 1980s. This helped recover the cost of printing the bills.

Which $2 Bills are Most Valuable?

Less circulated $2 bills are generally more valuable.

Older versions of the $2 bill tend to have higher prices.

$2 bills with brown or red seals from the 1800s are the most valuable, reaching prices up to $4,500.

More recent $2 bills can still exceed their face value, ranging from $200 to $1,000.

Factors such as circulation, seal color, and printing year influence the value of the bill.

However, many $2 bills may only be worth their face value, so individual evaluation is necessary.

Final Thoughts

It’s fascinating to see how the $2 bill has persevered through time despite its share of controversies and quirky associations.

While my son believes they could be valuable treasures, the truth is that most $2 bills are worth their face value. Nevertheless, the older and rarer versions can be quite valuable to collectors.

It appears that even in the world of money, there’s room for history, uniqueness, and a bit of mystery.

Whenever my son’s eyes light up at the sight of a $2 bill, it’s a gentle reminder that it’s not just about its value but the stories and history behind this uncommon denomination that make it special.

Do you own any valuable $2 bills? Please share your thoughts in the comments.

A version of this story originally appeared on Medium.