The United States started producing $2 bills in the 1860s, and even though they’re still being added into circulation today, they’re rarer than other bills.
They’re so rare that some are rumored to be worth thousands of dollars, making it a way some people earn extra money .
Here’s how to tell if that $2 bill you have burning a hole in your wallet is worth way more.
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Early history of the $2 Bill
In 1862, the first $2 bill was printed with a portrait of Thomas Jefferson on one side. The other side prominently featured John Turmball’s Declaration of Independence painting.
Since then, it’s undergone six different redesigns. Here’s how to check to see if you have a rare one:
Own a car? Here's 7 warning signs you're paying too much for car insurance. 1. Check to see which founding father is on it
The $2 bill could have one of two Founding Fathers printed on it: Thomas Jefferson or Alexander Hamilton.
If you happen to have an old Hamilton bill, you have an incredibly rare find that U.S. Currency Auctions (USCA) claims could be worth around $4,500 or more, depending on the condition it is in and if it was uncirculated or not.
2. Check the reverse side on your Jefferson $2 bill
If you have a Jefferson $2 bill, check the reverse side of his face. If your money was printed before 1976, Jefferson’s Virginia estate is printed on the other side.
If that side displays a vignette of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, it was probably printed after 1976. This fact could make that one bill worth up to $4,500.
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3. Scan the bill for a misprint
Though they’re incredibly rare, there have been misprints on United States currency making those bills highly coveted by collectors.
Read the fine print closely to see if there are any grammatical errors, printing mistakes, or incorrect fonts. But look up any mistakes you may think you’ve identified — just because your bill looks off doesn’t mean it is worth any money.
4. Inspect the color of the seal
A simple detail like the color of the seal could indicate that your $2 bill is worth more than face value.
If your bill has a blue, brown, or red seal and a date of 1862 through 1917, there is a chance it is worth over $1,000.
Note: The rare red seal is actually a misprint of what should have been blue.
5. Consider the year it was printed
$2 bills from different eras are worth different amounts of money. If you have a bill printed before 1976, it will most likely be worth more than face value, but maybe only by a few dollars.
Some uncirculated 1995 bills are valued at $500 by the USCA. A mint condition bill from 1862 could nab you anywhere from $500 to over $2,800.
Get Out of Debt for Good: Try these 6 clever ways to crush your debt 6. Check the serial number
If you have a $2 bill that was printed in the year 1976, check the serial number. If your bill is marked with a “1,” then it could be worth around $20,000.
Other bills with low serial numbers could be worth several thousand dollars as well.
7. Inspect it for a star
The asterisk or star at the end of the serial number makes the bill more valuable.
A rare 1953 red star and stamp note is currently listed for $1,200 on eBay.
Bottom line
In 2020, there were an estimated 1.4 billion $2 bills in circulation, so these notes are far from extinct, but they are more rare than other bills. If you have one, that doesn’t mean it’s worth any more than the $2 printed on it. But it’s always worth looking into to see if you can make extra money on the side .
Money tips that can work for everyone
No matter what your bank account balance is, there's always an opportunity to optimize and improve your finances. Here's a quick checklist of things you can look at today.
Focus on paying off your debt . Debt can hold you back from making progress with your overall financial well-being. Aside from cutting expenses, there are tools that can help you pay off debt faster like balance transfer credit cards and debt counseling.
Earning extra income can give you breathing room. If finances are tight, earning some extra money to supplement your income can make a huge difference. A new job is one option to consider, but if you're not ready to make a big change or already retired, a part-time side job could be a better choice.
Cut your expenses. It sounds painful and so not fun, but it doesn't have to be. Take a look at your biggest expenses because that's where you'll probably find the biggest savings. For example, auto insurance rates have been soaring so shopping around for a new insurance company can be the fastest way to cut your bill. Also, look for ways to cut your grocery bill (despite rising inflation).
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