But, for Series 1976 the decision was made to print a famous vignette on the reverse depicting the presentation of the Declaration of Independence in 1976. The $2 bill, anchored by an obverse portrait of Thomas Jefferson, had carried a reverse motif of the president’s sprawling Virginia home “Monticello” since 1928. The United States Bicentennial in 1976 was cause for the United States government to honor the nation’s 200th anniversary on banknotes, just as was being done in the mid-1970s with special designs on the quarter, half dollar, and dollar coins. With other similarly denominated bills as monetarily adjacent options, most Americans preferred carrying around $1 and $5 notes instead of $2 bills. Still, it wasn’t just the $2 bill’s less-than-innocent reputation that became an obstacle to the denomination’s success in circulation. Why? It didn’t help that, by that time, the $2 bill had become associated with gambling and political bribes – both deeds often done with $2 bills. By the middle of the 20th century, the $2 bill began falling away from common use in circulation. Over time, the note saw gradually increasing use, perhaps more a function of inflation than preference for the note itself.
In those days, a $2 bill represented a decent sum of money – especially considering that a typical laborer in any of the big East Coast cities may have been earning about 75 cents to $1 during the Civil War era. The first $2 bills were printed under the second issue of Legal Tender Notes, produced as Series 1862. Let’s be frank here – when did you last see a $2 bill outside of a numismatic shop or banknote collection? Have you ever seen a $2 bill in regular circulation, let alone used one to pay for something? If you’re of a certain age, chances are rather good that you can say you’ve spent a $2 bill as bona fide money – and not just to give to someone as a special sort of tip or a birthday gift to a youngster.
Suffice it to say, that first thought isn’t all that uncommon, especially among our friends in the non-numismatic community. However it is that the unsuspecting Joe or Jolene happens upon the $2 bill, it’s generally a moment met with at least two thoughts: “I didn’t know they made $2 bills!” and/or “what’s this $2 bill worth?” Quite often, the non-collector’s rare encounter with a $2 bill is associated with an event of good tidings – perhaps the $2 bill is a holiday gift, or it’s given to the recipient as part of a tip. Click images to enlarge.ĭid you recently come across a $2 bill and wonder what it’s worth? You’re not alone… The $2 bill is one of the seemingly most unusual types of banknotes Americans have the pleasure of (occasionally) stumbling upon today. The Series 2003 $2 bill carries Thomas Jefferson on the obverse and on the reverse a vignette depicting the presentation of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
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