Have a $2 bill? It could be worth thousands (2024)

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — It might be time to check those $2 bills you have lying around the house because some of them could be worth thousands.

First printed in 1862, the $2 bill is difficult to find, mostly because they’re hardly used. There have been several editions of the $2 bill, with the most recent version designed in 1963, according to the U.S. Treasury Department.

Some versions of the $2 bill have a portrait of Alexander Hamilton, America’s first secretary of the treasury. An 1869 redesign put Thomas Jefferson on the bill,according to the U.S. Treasury’s Bureau of Engraving and Printing.

Depending on which version of the bill you’ve got, it could be worth far more than just the $2 printed on the front and back.

According to online auction serviceU.S. Currency Auctions, if the bill was minted and printed before 1976, the bill could actually be worth as much as $4,500. However, even with notes printed in the same year, different versions have different values for collectors.

Newer bills, like one printed in 2003, could have significant value. A $2 bill recently sold at an auction for $2,400, according to Heritage Auction, the largest numismatic auction house in the world.Heritage Auction said the bill had a very low serial number for the 2003 series. The bill was later resold for $4,000.

One of the main factors in determining a bill’s worth is whether or not it was in circulation.

According to U.S. Currency Auctions, uncirculated $2 bills with red or brown seals can fetch thousands. For example, an uncirculated 1890 series $2 bill with a brown seal can be worth at least $4,500. A circulated $2 bill with a red seal can sell for $2.25 to $2,500.

The U.S. Currency Education Program said there are 1.2 billion $2 notes in circulation.

While the note is less common, $2 bills are still being printed (108.3 million entered circulationin 2022) and count as legal tender. You can even pick them up at a bank, though it’ll likely only feature the design that took to the presses in 1976.

Because they’re still circulating, most $2 bills are worth exactly that – $2. 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.

As Professional Coin Grading Servicesexplains, if your $2 bill is relatively recent and “has no special markings, errors, or other oddities,” it likely isn’t worth much more than its intended value.

Have a $2 bill? It could be worth thousands (2024)

FAQs

Have a $2 bill? It could be worth thousands? ›

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 a $2 bill be worth thousands? ›

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.)

How do I know if my $2 dollar bill is worth money? ›

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.

How much is a $2 bill worth today? ›

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.

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.”

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.

How much is a 1963 $2 bill worth? ›

Despite the difference between the A and non-A, both notes are equally common and worth the same amount of money in all grades. You can buy a circulated 1963 red seal two dollar bill any day of the week for around $3. A star note from 1963 will cost you closer to $5 if it is in average condition.

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.

What is a 1953 Red Seal $2 bill worth? ›

Typically a 1953 red seal in this condition would be worth $5-10. However due to being a star note, I would value it around $15-25. You probably know this, but star notes were issued to replace bills that were damaged in production. It is only a small percentage that are replaced.

What dollar bill is worth $150,000? ›

There are three things to look for in identifying dollar bills worth up to $150,000: 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.

Do banks still have $2 dollar bills? ›

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).

What is the rarest dollar bill? ›

23 Rare Bills Worth Up to $3.3 Million That Are Highly Coveted By Collectors
  • USA 1934 $10,000 Federal Reserve Note: $480,000. ...
  • USA 1931 Low Serial Number $10 Silver Certificate Bill: $500,000. ...
  • USA 1891 Red Seal $1,000 Treasury Note: $2.5 million. ...
  • USA 1890 Grand Watermelon $1,000 Treasury Note: $3.3 million.
Apr 4, 2024

Are $2 bills worth saving? ›

Certain $2 bills can fetch $4,500 and up on the collectibles market, according to the U.S. Currency Auctions (USCA) website. Just about all of the really valuable ones were printed in the 19th century. But even bills printed within the last 30 years might be worth hundreds of dollars — if you have the right one.

How can you tell if a $2 bill is rare? ›

There are a couple of key places on your bill to check out, like the year and seal color. Bills that have red, brown, or blue seals printed between 1862 and 1917 could be worth up to $1,000, per IndyStar. And, the older a bill is, the rarer it's usually considered.

What does a green seal on a $2 bill mean? ›

A green seal to the right of the portrait represents the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

What makes a rare $2 bill? ›

One way to determine if a $2 bill is worth more than another is the color of the seal and also the age of the bill. Newer versions with a green seal are likely worth face value, but denominations with a red seal have a higher value.

How much is my 2017 $2 bill worth? ›

Currency in Circulation: Value
Year$1$2
2020$13.1$2.7
2019$12.7$2.7
2018$12.4$2.5
2017$12.1$2.4
17 more rows
May 5, 2023

How much is a 2013 $2 bill worth? ›

Because they're still circulating, most $2 bills are worth exactly that – $2. 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.

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