Midway through the 1970s, the United States of America began planning to commemorate the anniversary of its independence from Great Britain. Numerous numismatic artifacts were issued, one of the most noteworthy of which is a new series of $2 Federal Reserve Notes (FRN), the Series 1976.
Celebrations were planned around the nation beginning early in the decade. The Series 1976 is the first FRN with a $2 value and features a new design on the back that is still present on the denomination today. It is a generally usable and inexpensive note.
What Does A $2 Bill From 1976 Look Like?
Image by @Alfred Benway
Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States, is featured on the 1976 $2 bill. When the $2 bill was first issued in 1862, Alexander Hamilton’s portrait was on the bill. Over time, the two-dollar bill underwent several changes. However, a significant change was made to it in 1976. The overall appearance of Thomas Jefferson did not change much, but the reverse side did.
Image by @Alfred Benway
The $2 bill’s green serial numbers are the first thing you’ll notice; before 1976, they were blue or red. The treasury seal was also changed to green. There are several different elements on the obverse side, and these are listed below:
- Thomas Jefferson portrait
- Serial no.
- Year of the series
- Secretary of the Treasury’s signature
- Two dollars in words and number
The iconic portrait of the Declaration of Independence signing on the 1976 $2 bill is arguably the most notable change. Before 1976, an image of Thomas Jefferson’s home was included; this painting by John Trumbull replaced it.
Between 1966 and 1976, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) ceased producing the $2 bill. On November 3, 1975, the first announcement of the reissue of the $2 bill for 1976 took place. At the time, William Simon, Secretary of the Treasury, wanted to release the new banknote on April 13, 1976, which also happened to be Thomas Jefferson’s birthday.
The 1976 $2 bill series featured a few design modifications from its earlier appearance. What’s more intriguing is that the $2 bill was reissued on the 200th anniversary of Independence Day in the United States.
This is the rationale behind Trumbull’s Declaration of Independence painting on the back of the $2 coin. However, the $2 note’s depiction of the painting is merely an engraved rendition, not a replication.
Many people believed the newly designed $2 bill was a limited edition when it was first introduced. They thought it was created to commemorate the bicentennial of the United States. This, however, was not at all the case. Because if it were, the BEP should have stopped printing the 1976 two-dollar bill; however, it continued to be printed for many more years.
Due to the misunderstanding, a lot of 1976 dollar bills were stored and hoarded by collectors. Some people also went to the post office with their new $2 bill to have the date “APR 13, 1976” stamped.
Are $2 Bills Still Being Printed?
Undoubtedly, two-dollar bills are still being produced. Contrary to popular belief, the BEP has been printing the $2 bill continuously since 1862, except for a 10-year break.
Approximately $1,549,052,714 worth of $2 bills were in circulation worldwide as of April 30, 2007, according to the U.S. Treasury. There were 2,430,720,00 $2 Federal Reserve notes printed between 1976 and 2012.
However, the 1976 two-dollar bill, it’s no longer in production. 1978 marked the end of production for the 1976 $2 series. At that point, 590,720,000 $2 bills from the Series 1976 had already been printed. William Simon, the Treasury Secretary, and Francine Irving Neff, the Treasurer, signed the 1976 two-dollar bill.
The $2 bills are still in circulation today, but they are from the most recent series. If you want to be sure, you can even visit your bank and request $2 bills when you make a cash withdrawal. Since $2 bills are not frequently available, you must request them. Most banks often keep a supply of $2 bills on hand in case their clients ask for them.
When you ask for $2 bills, tellers might have to go to the vault to get them or, if they don’t have enough for you, may have to order the bills from other branches. Nevertheless, this demonstrates that there are still $2 bills in circulation and are still printed.
How Much Is A 1976 2-Dollar Bill Worth?
The regular 2-dollar bill from 1976 is equivalent to its face value. So, if you were to sell a used $2 bill, you would only receive $2. On the other hand, you could sell a $2 bill in uncirculated condition for up to $15 or more. Your $2 bill’s value could rise due to a few factors.
For instance, you may receive a higher premium for $2 bills with low serial numbers. The 1976 two-dollar bill with the printing error is the most valuable and expensive one. These 1976 $2 bills are not only more costly than other varieties but also very rare.
Each dollar note typically has its unique serial number. This serial number is written twice on the face of the bill. One is in the upper right corner, while the other is in the lower left corner. The serial numbers at the top and bottom of the error version are different, which is incorrect.
If the rare 2-dollar note you possess is still in good shape, you can sell it for $400. A 2-dollar note that has never been circulated is worth about $800.
The 2-dollar bills with a star note are another type of 2-dollar note. You may quickly recognize this bill by examining the serial number, which should include the star image at the end.
A 2-dollar banknote with a star in circulation costs about $8. Uncirculated notes with an MS 63 grade can be purchased for $20 to $25. Rare 2-dollar star-note notes can be bought for $80 to $150.
Check to see if your two dollars bill also includes a post office stamp. The bill may be slightly more valuable if you have stamps with unusual city names.
How Does The Grading System Of Bills Work?
The grading system for banknotes is crucial because it immediately provides a reference point for how much your two-dollar bill is worth.
If your bill receives the grade “Fine,” it signifies that there is even the slightest bit of proof that the note has been disseminated. As a result, a Fine rating means that your bill has lost part of its crispness and fine features. Although there may be minor wrinkles, they shouldn’t be stained.
The Very Fine rating comes next. This rating is given to bills currently in use but only sometimes. They are still fresh and clean, and there may still be a few folds, smudges, and wrinkles.
Uncirculated banknotes are graded as MS 63 choice uncirculated. There are no indications that it has ever been used for routine business activities. Even the crispness remains the same as the day it was produced.
Which 2-Dollar Bill Serial Numbers Are Valuable?
The serial number on your two-dollar note may boost its worth, as was already explained. For instance, your bill might be distinctive if it has one of the unique and odd serial numbers.
The serial number A11111111A is a prime example. There are many distinct serial number combinations available, and you should be able to sell them for more money if they have a unique appearance.
1976 2-Dollar Error Bills
There is just one obvious mistake on the $2 note, but a few other interesting features are worth your money. Here are some of the common errors on the bills:
Double serial number
Two different serial numbers are printed on the obverse of the most famous $2 error note from 1976. The serial numbers on ordinary notes usually match; thus, it was a printing error. These banknotes often range in price from $500 to $900, depending on their state.
Stamped $2 bills
Everyone who received a $2 note printed in 1976 on April 13 had the option of having the date imprinted on it at their neighborhood post office. Usually, these notes are more expensive than standard notes.
Star notes
The $2 banknotes with a star in front of their serial number are replacement bills. Depending on the FR Bank that produced them, they may or may not be helpful. If your note was printed in Kansas City or Minneapolis, you might be sure you have a rare gem.
Common star note variations in excellent condition cost around $8, while ones graded MS 63 are worth $20 to $25. On the other hand, depending on their condition, you may receive between $80 and $150 for rare star note variants.
Misprints, palindromes, and repeated numbers
No matter which way you read palindromes or so-called $2 radar notes, they all carry identical serial numbers. Repeated numerals are only found in very few notes, making them uncommon and desirable to collectors. Bills with misplaced or duplicated seals might occasionally be expensive.
The $2 ladder bill
Genuine ladders with the number series 12345678 are the rarest type of two-dollar note. These numerals are expensive since only one of every 96,000,000 notes has them. A reverse ladder version, such as the 87654321 series of numbers, is a less appealing variant, but broken ladders are more affordable. They consist of consecutive integers separated by zeros, such as 01200304.
Where Can You Get $2 Bills Printed From 1976?
There are several locations where you might get 1976 $2 notes. The Internet is an excellent place to start your search. Online markets like Amazon and eBay would be the most popular platforms you’d see. Additionally, you may discover them on social networking websites like Facebook and Instagram.
To provide you with an estimate of how much they often sell, you may find 1976 bills on eBay that range in price from $1 to $999,
In addition to the Internet, antique shops and collectors also sell 1976 $2 bills. Make sure to get the invoices examined and evaluated by reliable businesses. Many people sell $2 notes for more than they are actually worth.