Is Hamilton on the $2 bill?
The first $2 notes (called
Bills with low serial numbers, especially those starting with multiple zeros, are highly coveted. Example: A $2 bill with the serial number 00000001. Estimated Value: Such bills can fetch $20,000 or more, particularly if they are from the 1976 series.
An 1890 $2 Treasury Note featuring General James McPherson is worth upwards of $4,500, according to U.S. Currency Auctions. However, it can fetch tens of thousands of dollars at auction, especially if it's in perfect condition.
1862 and 1869 legal tender notes
The earliest $2 bills, issued in 1862 and 1869, feature a portrait of Alexander Hamilton (who was later replaced by Thomas Jefferson). These notes are highly sought after by collectors thanks to their historical importance and limited availability.
The $2 note features a portrait of Thomas Jefferson on the front of the note and a vignette depicting the signing of the Declaration of Independence on the back of the note.
According to the Wealthy Nickel website, currency collectors in the United States are after rare $1 bills with a printing error and will pay up to $150,000 for them. The printing error took place in 2014 and 2016.
Certain $2 bills worth thousands more
According to the US Currency Pricing guide, depending on certain factors, that $2 face value could be worth a lot more, even up to $5,000. A recent auction just saw one sell for almost $2,500. Although $2 bills are rare to find, if you own one, there's a chance it has a high value.
Unless there's a unique feature on the bill, like a low serial or a misprint, a newer $2 bill is likely not worth much more than $2, even if it's uncirculated. But rather than guess, experts say the best way to find out if you have a valuable $2 bill is to take it to a verified coin expert for evaluation.
1928B $2 Red Seal Star Note
The 1928B series $2 bills with a red seal and a star prefix in the serial number are among the rarest. The star indicates a replacement note, issued to replace misprinted or damaged bills. These notes can fetch between $100 and $1,000, depending on their condition.
On lists of single old bills worth money, the 1874 large sized dollar note is always the most valuable. Since these dollar notes are no longer in circulation, you might have better luck finding them in a collection of inherited currency than through spare change.
How can I tell if my $2 bill is worth anything?
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.
- 1890 $1 Treasury Note: $1,000.
- 1928 $1 Bill: $1,000.
- 1923 $1 Bill: $1,000.
- 1917 $1 Legal Tender Note: $1,150.
- 1899 $1 Silver Certificate: $1,500.
- 1896 $1 Silver Certificates: $2,000.
Sometimes called “toms” or “deuces,” the $2 bill was first printed in 1862, and have appeared in their current design since 1976 — the year of the Bicentennial. In the 20th century, two-dollar notes had a bad reputation — being associated with voter fraud, prostitution and gambling.
The portrait of Hamilton currently used for Federal Reserve notes was introduced in the 1928 series $10 note. This portrait is based on a John Trumbull painting displayed in New York City Hall.
Production continued until 1966, when United States Notes were phased out; the $2 denomination was discontinued until 1976, when it was reissued as a Federal Reserve Note, with a new reverse design. The obverse design of the $2 bill is the oldest of all current US currency.
The person on the obverse (heads) of the penny is Abraham Lincoln, our 16th president. He's been on the penny since 1909. The current design on the reverse (tails) is a Union Shield.
- 1861 $5 Demand Notes. ...
- 1869 Legal Tender $5 Bill. ...
- 1914 $5 Large-Size Federal Reserve Note. ...
- 1934 $5 Silver Certificate and Federal Reserve Notes.
So, 10,000 one-hundred-dollar bills make 1 million dollars. you would need 10,000 one hundred dollar bills to make $1 million.
For the most part, star notes are only worth their face value—a $1 star note is usually only worth $1.
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 do I know if my $1 bill is rare?
- 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.
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.
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.
| Type of Dollar Bill | Description | Potential Value |
|---|---|---|
| Web Notes | Created through a different process | $1–$1,000+ |
| Misprinted Bills | Contains cut, centering, or print errors | $1–$150,000 |
| Radar Notes | Palindromic serial numbers | $1–$50 |
| Birthday Notes | Contains recognizable dates | $1–$30 |
Paper money
American paper currency comes in seven denominations: $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100. The United States no longer issues bills in larger denominations, such as $500, $1,000, $5,000, and $10,000 bills. But they are still legal tender and may still be in circulation.
