Value of Older $2 Bills
U.S. Currency Auctions reports that uncirculated $2 bills from 1890 can sell for upwards of $4,500, depending on factors like their condition and the printing method used. Even $2 bills from 1862 to 1917, if uncirculated, can fetch at least $1,000 from collectors. The rarity and quality of these older bills drive their value in the auction market.
Newer Bills with Special Features
It’s not just the old bills that hold potential value. A $2 bill printed in 2003 sold for $2,400 at a 2022 auction hosted by Heritage Auctions, the largest numismatic auction house. This bill was particularly valuable because of its extremely low serial number, a feature collectors highly prize. The same bill was later resold for $4,000, showing that even modern bills can attract serious interest when they have rare features.
Is the $2 Bill Rare?
Despite its unique reputation, the $2 bill is not particularly rare. According to the Federal Reserve, 1.5 billion $2 bills were in circulation in 2022, which is a small portion of the total $54.1 billion of U.S. currency in circulation that year. While they are less commonly used in daily transactions, $2 bills are still readily available from banks upon request.
History and Misconceptions
The $2 bill has a complex history. Its front features Thomas Jefferson, the primary author of the Declaration of Independence, and the back depicts the signing of that document. Despite its historical significance, the $2 bill was once associated with superstitions and even illegal activities like voter bribery. These factors contributed to its unpopularity in the early 20th century, leading the U.S. Treasury to halt its issuance for a time. However, in 1976, the bill was reintroduced to commemorate the United States’ bicentennial and remains in circulation today.
