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.”
An original uncirculated $2 bill from 1862 ranges in value from $500 to more than $2,800. You might get $3,800 or more for an 1869 note. More recently, the USCA lists a value of $500 on certain uncirculated $2 bills from 1995.
Double serial number
The best-known 1976 $2 error bill has two different serial numbers printed on two places on the obverse. It resulted from a printing error since these serial numbers always match on regular notes. Depending on their condition, these bills typically cost $500 to $900.
For example, an uncirculated 1890 series $2 bill with a brown seal can be worth at least $4,500.
Issue of July 22, 1776 | Value Range |
---|---|
Issue of July 22, 1776 | Value Range |
Jul 22, 1776 $2 Continental Congress (Fr. CC39) | $115.00 - $5,000 $115.00 - $5,000 |
Jul 22, 1776 $3 Continental Congress (Fr. CC40) | $88.00 - $2,560 $88.00 - $2,560 |
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.
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.
1880 $2 United States Note
In particular, those with a large red seal and blue serial numbers are rare and worth good money. These notes feature Thoman Jefferson's portrait on the obverse with the Capitol building in the center.
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.
1953 Small size two-dollar bill value | ||
---|---|---|
Series | Bills in uncirculated condition | Bills with a star (★) |
1953 with a red seal | $30 | $15 to $90 |
1953 A with a red seal | $20 | $22 to $80 |
1953 B with a red seal | $22 | $18 to $75 |
What is considered a low serial number on $2 bill?
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.
2-dollar bills can range in value from two dollars to $1,000 or more. If you have a pre-1913 2-dollar bill in uncirculated condition, it is worth at least $500. Even in circulated condition, these very old 2-dollar bills are worth $100 and up.
Newer bills have a green seal and are likely worth face value, Pinto told FOX 13. If the bill has a red seal, it is likely older, and the value generally starts to increase.
A newer bill with a green one is likely worth face value. With a red seal, the value generally starts to go up. Age is also a huge factor. If you're looking for a high dollar $2 bill, it would be pre-1900, and it would have to be in a very high condition graded condition," said Pinto.
More than half a billion series 1976 $2 notes were printed and a very large number were saved and hoarded upon their original issue. A typical, single uncirculated 1976 $2 bill is worth only slightly above $2 face value. An average circulated Series 1976 note has no additional value above its $2 face.
Some $2 bills printed as recently as 2003 and 1995 can be valued at as much as $700. While $2 bills may not be all too common, there were still 1.2 billion notes in circulation as of 2017, data from the United States Currency Education Program showed.
Condition/Variety | Average Value Range (USD) |
---|---|
Circulated | $5 – $10 |
Crisp Uncirculated | $15 – $30 |
Star Note | $40 – $100 |
Error Note | $100 – $500 |
If you're short on time, here's the quick answer: You can sell a 2-dollar bill through auction houses, coin dealers, pawn shops, and online marketplaces like eBay. Uncirculated and older series $2 bills tend to be the most valuable.
Most $2 Bills from 2003 are only worth their face value. But if you can find a high-grade note with fancy serial numbers, you can fetch as much as $20,000 with one sale verified in 2022.
Low Serial Numbers
Some dollar bill collectors look for interesting or unique serial numbers. Low serial numbers starting with 000000 or 111111 can be worth many times at face value. Fancy serial numbers like 01010101 or 12345678 also command premiums.
Where do I find the year on a 2 dollar bill?
"Each note has a unique serial number. The first letter of the serial number corresponds to the series year," the U.S. currency website explains. Some feature a “star” suffix, which "is used to identify notes that serve as replacements during the production process."
The most valuable $2 bills printed in 1976 are the ones with the twice-printed serial number error. Overprinting of the same sheet results in this error. While most mint condition $2 bills can be bought for a few dollars, the bills with this double serial number error range from $400 to $500.
If you're short on time, here's a quick answer: Drug dealers carry $2 bills because the unusual denomination helps them avoid detection while allowing them to transport larger amounts of cash.
If you're short on time, here's a quick answer to your question: The 1933 $1 silver certificate is widely considered the rarest and most valuable dollar bill, with recent sales over $3 million.
The most unusual and most rarely-seen of the three types of bank notes was the $2 United States Note. It features a portrait of Thomas Jefferson on the front and a view of Jefferson's home, Monticello, on the back. The red seal is on the right side of the front.
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