The $2 bill is one of the most intriguing denominations of US currency Despite being legal tender, these notes are seldom seen in everyday transactions This leads many people to wonder – can you actually pay with a $2 bill?
The short answer is yes, you absolutely can pay with a $2 bill if you happen to have one. Though uncommon, they remain a legitimate form of US paper money that’s recognized by banks, stores, and other businesses.
A Brief History of the $2 Bill
While we don’t see them often today, $2 bills have been around for a long time They were first issued in 1862 with Alexander Hamilton’s portrait In 1869, the design switched to Thomas Jefferson, which has remained since.
People in the US never really got into the $2 bill for a number of reasons. People started to think of it as unlucky and linked it to gambling and bribery. In the early 1900s, the Treasury Department tried to get people to use it but failed. In 1966 they finally discontinued printing due to lack of demand.
But in 1976, the $2 bill made a comeback for the US Bicentennial. The new design featured a depiction of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on the reverse. However, people viewed these as collectors’ items and hoarded rather than spent them. This commemorative misconception persists today.
The truth is, $2 bills have been printed continuously since then. Even though not a lot of them are made, the Federal Reserve still allows them to be used as money.
$2 Bill Circulation Today
Every year, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing makes between 80 and 90 million $2 bills. This may seem like a lot, but it’s only a small part of the over 6 billion other bills that are printed every year.
As of 2020, there were around 1.4 billion $2 bills in circulation globally. Compare this to over 12 billion $1 bills out there. So while not rare, $2 notes account for less than 0.01% of the value of paper money in use.
Because they aren’t heavily demanded by banks, the Federal Reserve only orders new $2 bills every few years. This allows time for existing stock to work its way into circulation. But again – they remain legal US tender that can be freely spent.
Why Don’t We See Them Often?
Given that billions of $2 bills exist, you may wonder why they aren’t more common. There are a few reasons:
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Lack of public demand – Most people simply opt to use $1 bills instead out of habit and convenience.
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Confusion over status – Misconceptions persist that they are rare or no longer valid currency. This leads people to hold onto them instead of spending normally.
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No cash register slot – When cash registers were first designed in the late 1800s, they didn’t include a place to store $2 bills. This made it inconvenient for stores to handle them.
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Preference for multiples of 1 and 5 – According to experts, people inherently like pricing goods in single dollars or rounded five dollar amounts. The $2 bill doesn’t fit as cleanly.
So in essence, while you can certainly pay with $2 bills, social convention has favored using other denominations. But their legal tender status remains unchanged.
Businesses Are Obligated to Accept Them
Under federal law, all US money issued by the government is legal tender that must be accepted as payment. This includes $2 bills – businesses cannot legally refuse or discount them.
Retail stores, restaurants, gas stations, and any other merchant must take your $2 notes just as they would any other denomination. If you want to pay for a 99 cent item with three $2 bills and a dollar coin, that’s your right.
In fact, some folks make it a point to request $2 bills from their bank to spend at stores. It’s an interesting way to shake up the normal routine of cash transactions.
Fun Uses for $2 Bills
While not essential for everyday spending, $2 bills can add a touch of uniqueness:
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Give them as gifts or allowances for children. Kids get a thrill from the novelty.
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Use them when splitting checks or bills to easily portion amounts.
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Tip with them to stand out and be remembered at restaurants or bars.
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Take a few on vacation to a new city and leave them as tips. It’s a fun way to show you visited.
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Replace tired, dirty single dollars with crisp, clean $2 notes. They stay in circulation longer.
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Pay with them just for reactions! Seeing a $2 bill in the wild is a surprise for most cashiers.
Obtaining $2 Bills from Banks
If you want to get your hands on some $2 bills, most banks will provide them upon request. However, they usually don’t keep much stock on hand in the vault. The best bet is to ask in advance so they can order a pack from their Federal Reserve branch.
Many banks will place a standing order for you to receive a certain amount regularly, such as $100 worth per month. It’s also common for them to limit distribution to existing customers only.
To save the trip, some banks may mail requested $2 bills directly to your home if you have an account relationship. Otherwise, you’ll need to visit a local branch to pick up the order.
So while it takes some extra effort, getting $2 bills is very doable in reasonable quantities. The more requests that banks receive, the more supply they’ll keep on hand for patrons.
The Next Time You Get $2s, Spend Them!
The $2 bill has an undeserved reputation of being unusual. In truth, it’s just as real as any other US paper money – and no less valid for purchases. The next time you come
History 1775 The First $2 Note
The first $2 notes are Continentals and are over a year older than America. On May 10, 1775, the Continental Congress authorizes issuance of the first $2 denominations in “bills of credit” for the defense of American independence.
In order to finance the Civil War, Congress authorizes the U.S. Department of the Treasury to issue non-interest-bearing Demand Notes. These notes earn the nickname “greenbacks” because of their color. All U.S. currency issued since 1861 remains valid and redeemable at full face value.
Congress authorizes a new class of currency, known as “United States notes,” or “Legal Tender notes.” These notes are characterized by a red seal and serial number. They continue to circulate until 1971.
By 1862, the Demand Notes incorporate fine-line engraving, intricate geometric lathe work patterns, a U.S. Department of the Treasury seal, and engraved signatures to aid in counterfeit deterrence. To this day, U.S. currency continues to add features to deter counterfeiting.
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing begins engraving and printing the faces and seals of U.S. banknotes. Before this, U.S. banknotes were produced by private banknote companies and then sent to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing for sealing, trimming, and cutting.
Legislation mandates that all banknotes and other securities containing portraits include the name of the individual below the portrait. This is why you see names below the portraits on banknotes to this day.
The Federal Reserve Act of 1913 establishes the Federal Reserve as the nation’s central bank and provides for a national banking system that is more responsive to the fluctuating financial needs of the country. The Federal Reserve Board issues new currency called Federal Reserve notes.
The appearance of U.S. banknotes changes greatly in 1929. In an effort to lower manufacturing costs, all Federal Reserve notes are made about 30 percent smaller—measuring 6.14 x 2.61 inches, rather than 7.375 x 3.125 inches. In addition, standardized designs are instituted for each denomination, decreasing the number of designs in circulation and making it easier for the public to distinguish between genuine and counterfeit notes.
Because United States notes no longer served any function not already adequately met by Federal Reserve notes, their issuance was discontinued and, beginning in 1971, no new United States notes were placed into circulation.
If you have any old $2 bills lying around, they could be worth thousands!
FAQ
Are 2 dollar bills acceptable?
Can I buy stuff with 2 dollar bills?
How much is a $2 bill worth today?
Do banks still carry $2 bills?
What is a two dollar bill?
The United States two-dollar bill ($2) is a current denomination of United States currency. A portrait of Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States (1801–1809), is featured on the obverse of the note. The reverse features an engraving of John Trumbull ‘s painting Declaration of Independence ( c. 1818 ).
Are two-dollar bills still being printed?
According to the US Currency Education Program, two-dollar bills are not currently being printed… but that may change. In the meantime, they’re still out there! While not circulated in numbers even remotely approaching their $1 and $5 cousins, there were 1.2 billion $2 notes floating around as of 2017.
How much is a $2 Bill worth?
Although printed less sporadically than the more popular $1 bill (the last printing was in 2013) there are still billions of dollars worth of the bill in circulation with it being estimated that $2 bills make up some 1% of all U.S. paper currency that exists.
Is the $2 Bill a good currency?
The $2 bill, among the most maligned and rarest denominations of paper currency, is on the way back. The U.S. Treasury is launching a major campaign to revive and circulate the $2 bill as potentially the most useful of any denomination in use today. Next time you buy something, note the amount you lay on the counter.