Have any $2 bills lying around? You might want to check because they could be worth thousands.
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.
Heritage Auctions sold a 2003 $2 bill for $2,400 in July 2022 — and that bill's value could now be significantly higher.
Other versions of the bill, per the U.S. Currency Auctions, are also valued between $500 and $1,000.
Various details like circulation, seal color and printing year all factor in to the bill's worth.
Check the full list of values here.
The history of the $2 bill
The $2 bill has been in circulation since 1862, with six different types created over the years, according to theDepartment of Treasury.
"For most of their history, $2 notes have been unpopular, being viewed as unlucky or simply awkward to use in cash exchanges," theBureau of Engraving and Printing states.
In the 1860s, there were limits on how many $1 and $2 notes the banks could issue due to fears "that the widespread use of small-denomination notes caused inflation."
The BEP adds, however, that the fortune for the bill shifted when the U.S. entered World War II.
"In early 1942, the Treasury forbade the carrying of US currency across the Mexican-US border. The Treasury did this 'to prevent use being made of Mexico as a place in which Axis agents may dispose of dollar currency looted abroad,'" BEP's website states. "The only exceptions to this blockade were $2 notes and silver dollars as it was believed that there were not many of these items outside the United States. As a result, demand for $2 notes skyrocketed along the border."
Those designed before 1928 were larger in size and featured a number of different designs, but since 1928, the bills have included a standardized portrait of Thomas Jefferson on the face.
There are still some subtle differences, like those produced between 1928 and 1976 have a vignette of Jefferson's home on the back, which was later replaced in 1976 with a portrayal of the presentation of the Declaration of Independence.
What else should you know?
It's not just $2 bills that could be worth more now.
In fact, some of your loose change could be valued at much higher amounts.
Details on what you can watch for here.
FAQs
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.
How can I tell if my $2 bill is worth anything? ›
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.
What $2 bill is worth $4,500? ›
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.
Is a $2 bill worth $5000? ›
Although $2 bills are rare to find, if you own one, there's a chance it has a high value. Based on specific factors, some versions of the currency may be worth up to $5,000, per the US Currency Price Guide. FOX 13 Tampa reported that these bills were discontinued by 1966 but brought back 10 years later.
What $2 bill is worth $20,000? ›
“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.”
How do I check the serial number on my $2 bill? ›
Serial Number
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.
How much is a 1976 Green Seal $2 bill worth? ›
Any $2 bill dating back to 1976 that has been in circulation – and any uncirculated versions since 2003 – are worth only their face value, USCA says. Uncirculated bills between 1976 and 2003 range in estimated value from $2.25 to as much as $500.
How much is a red seal 1963 $2 bill worth? ›
A 1963 two dollar bill with red ink is worth approximately $ 15 to $ 30 in circulated condition . However , if it is in uncirculated condition and has a low serial number , it can be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars .
What is the rarest dollar bill? ›
According to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, 6.4 million $1 dollar bills were printed with a mistake that make them worth $150,000 by collectors. If you have any $1 bills in your wallet or under your couch, you might want to think twice before using them.
What $2 bills could be worth thousands? ›
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. From 1995, according to the site, a set of 12 notes in their original packaging are worth $500 or more.
A black seal to the left of the portrait bears the name and corresponding letter of the distributing Federal Reserve Bank. Treasury Seal. A green seal to the right of the portrait represents the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
Is keeping a 2 dollar bill good luck? ›
Some people carry $2 bills in their wallets or purses for good fortune. Some also believe the $2 bill is lucky because it's considered a "rare" denomination (in reality, it's just less common), while others say it's lucky because of its association with Thomas Jefferson and the Declaration of Independence.
How do I find out if my $2 bill is worth anything? ›
Age - Older 2-dollar bills are more valuable than newer ones, as a general rule. Serial number - 2-dollar bills feature different serial numbers, some of which are more valuable. Misprints - Certain misprints, such as seals that are doubled or not placed properly, are very rare but are valuable.
What is the most sought after $2 bill? ›
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.
How much will you get if you sell a 2-dollar bill? ›
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 to check dollar bill value? ›
Here are three things to look for on your bills if they are worth more than a dollar:
- The Series date located near the photograph of George Washington must read “Series 2013”
- The bill must have a “B” Federal Reserve Seal above the serial number.
Serial Numbers Matter
Any bill, regardless of the year it was printed, with a single-digit serial number can be worth a significant amount. These are bills with all zeros followed by a number from 1 to 9. Even two-digit serial numbers ranging from 10 to 99 can hold a value higher than their face value.
How to sell a two dollar bill? ›
2-dollar bills are still printed and still legal tender. Just spend them in the usual way. You could sell them to a bank or coin store.
