The U.S. stopped printing $2 bills from 1966 to 1976, discontinuing United States Notes due to low demand, but reintroduced them in 1976 with the current Thomas Jefferson design for the Bicentennial, and they have been printed intermittently ever since, though in much smaller quantities than other bills.
And that figure has been growing steadily each year for about two decades. While they're less common than other denominations, $2 bills are still being printed. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing printed around 128 million new $2 bills in fiscal year 2023 alone.
If you have a $2 bill that was minted and printed before 1976, it's likely 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 from $550 to $2,500.
The $2 bills aren't exactly "rare" in the sense that they don't exist, but they are unusual enough that most people rarely see them in circulation. In 2024, the Federal Reserve reported $3.4 billion in $2 bills were circulating.
Though a gold three-dollar coin was produced in the 1800s, and the Bahamian dollar (which is pegged to the US dollar) has a $3 banknote, no three-dollar bill has ever been produced in the United States.
In spite of its relatively low production figures, the apparent scarcity of the $2 bill in daily commerce also indicates that significant numbers of the notes are removed from circulation and collected by many people as $2 bills are scarcer and more valuable than common bills.
Two-dollar bills are available at most local banks in the US, but due to low demand, you'll likely have to request them in advance. Banks can place an order with the Federal Reserve whenever needed. They're not widely circulated, but they're absolutely attainable.
A single $1 bill isn't worth $150,000, but a matched pair of rare, misprinted 2013 Series $1 bills, featuring the same serial number from two different printing facilities, can be valued between $20,000 and $150,000 by collectors, with the highest values for graded pairs in top condition. To find one, look for "Series 2013," a "B" Federal Reserve Seal, and a serial number ending in a star () within specific ranges (B00000001-B00250000* or B03200001*-B09600000*).
Australian $1-2 notes were issued from 1966 right up until they were replaced by coins in 1988. Some notes can be particularly valuable if they have the right serial numbers or if they're in mint condition. The rarest $2 notes can sell for up to $5,000 each.
Wozniak said then that he didn't print these bills himself, as that would be illegal and a federal crime. The tech co-founder instead ordered real, uncut sheets of bills from the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing and then worked with the California print shop to bind them into pads.
The Houston Chronicle reports that while most $2 bills go for face value, collectors pay big money for ones with unique serial numbers, printing errors, or red seals. One 1976 $2 bill with a star and serial “1★” went for roughly $35,250, and others with special features have fetched $4,000–$5,000 in modern auctions.
While many see it as lucky, the $2 bill is often associated with negative meanings - superstitions and association with illegal activities like voter bribery. The U.S. Treasury attempted to popularize the bill in the early 20th century, but perhaps due to these connections, the efforts failed.
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.
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.
For example, an Almost Uncirculated 1973 one-dollar note with the right serial number could be worth $250. You may want to store your bills in some sort of plastic sleeve or binder to prevent further damage that could affect their value.
While a $3 bill doesn't officially exist in U.S. currency, novelty versions have been created for amusement. These often feature personalities that aren't on standard currency, like President Barack Obama or even fictional characters.
“For most of their history, $2 notes have been unpopular, being viewed as unlucky or simply awkward to use in cash exchanges,” the BEP writes in a fact sheet. “$2 notes were often returned to the Treasury with corners torn off, making them mutilated currency and unfit for reissue.”
However, the more they circulate, the less “novel” they become, which could lower the value of the rare ones you have in your collection. While $2 bills are legal tender and accepted everywhere, some cashiers might be unfamiliar with them or hesitant to accept them due to their rarity in daily transactions.
