What $2 bills are most sought after by collectors?
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.
Identify the series and condition: Look at the series year and seal color. Take note of the bill's condition (circulated vs. uncirculated). Research the value: Compare similar bills sold on eBay or currency auction sites, and consult a currency pricing guide.
An auction site called U.S. Currency Auctions estimates that uncirculated $2 bills from 1890 could sell for at least $4,500. Uncirculated $2 bills from nearly every year from 1862 to 1899 could have an estimated value of over $1,000, the site says.
The serial number is the big one. It's printed on the left and right sides of the front of the bill, typically with a letter at the front. “What we look at is fancy serial numbers,” Johnston said. “A serial number '1' for a 1976 $2 bill would be worth $20,000 or more.
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. A “star” suffix is used to identify notes that serve as replacements during the production process.
Banknote Auctions Are Going INSANE — Look What Just Sold
What makes a 1976 $2 bill rare?
The 1976 $2 bill was released to celebrate the U.S. bicentennial, and while most of them are only worth face value, some with special serial numbers, misprints, stamps or star notes can be worth $20 to $900. The rarest $2 bill from this year is known as a ladder note, which means its serial number is 12345678.
If you have any $2 bills worth money, you can sell them at most auctions or shops that buy and sell coin collections. Just make sure that you check and see if bills are accepted there. Coin shops or dealers online and in person can buy your bills, though it helps to reach out and see first.
Since there were fewer notes from this series released, they were marginally less prevalent in the end. And still, the 1953 red seal $2 bill value refers to $4–$8 for circulated notes and $15–$25 for uncirculated options, too.
According to auction results, the most valuable one-dollar bill is an 1874 $1 United States Note. It sold in March 2024 for $26,400 through Stack's Bowers Galleries. This bill stands out not only for its rarity but also for its condition. Very few similar bills are so well-preserved.
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.
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.
The potential high value stems from a printing error where pairs of $1 bills were printed with matching serial numbers. This occurred between 2014 and 2016, involving bills from the 2013 series. To have a potentially high value, you need to have a matching pair of these bills.
Is there an app to check the value of dollar bills?
Dollar Bill Scanner app turns your device into a powerful, fast and accurate banknote scanning, identification, value and collecting tool! Just snap photos of both sides of the banknote and get the scan result in seconds with detailed info about your note.
Typically, in circulated condition this bank note would have value in the range $3-3.50 however this is a unique serial number which would likely have a cool factor for collectors.
Uncirculated bills between 1976 and 2003 range in estimated value from $2.25 to as much as $500. As Professional Coin Grading Services explains, 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.
