You’ve probably been there. You’re standing at a cash register, hand over a crisp, slightly unusual-looking note with Thomas Jefferson’s face on it, and the cashier stares at it like it’s Monopoly money. Maybe they even call a manager. It’s a common scene because, frankly, most people assume these things were discontinued decades ago. But if you're wondering do they still produce 2 dollar bills, the answer is a resounding yes. They aren't relics. They aren't "out of print." They are active, legal tender that the U.S. government still orders from the printing presses.
The confusion is understandable. You don't see them in your change at the grocery store. ATMs don't spit them out. Even most banks don't keep them in the teller drawers unless someone specifically asks. This scarcity creates a weird feedback loop where people think they’re rare, so they hoard them, which makes them even rarer in daily circulation.
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing is Still Busy
Let’s get into the hard data. The Federal Reserve Board actually places "print orders" every year based on how much currency they think the public needs. While the $1 and $20 bills are the workhorses of the American economy, the $2 bill has a much lower, but very consistent, demand.
For the 2024 fiscal year, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) was scheduled to produce between 32 million and 160 million $2 bills. Compare that to the billions of $1 bills printed, and it’s easy to see why they feel like a "limited edition" find. They aren't printed every single year like some other denominations, but when stocks get low, the presses at the Western Currency Facility in Fort Worth or the facility in D.C. crank back up. They are currently Series 2017A or Series 2013 notes, and they look just as fresh as any other bill.
Why you don't see them in the wild
It’s a psychological thing. We call it "transactional friction." Most cash registers have slots for the $1, $5, $10, and $20. There is no dedicated hole for the $2. When a clerk gets one, they usually tuck it under the tray or put it in the "coupons" slot. Because it doesn't have a home in the drawer, it doesn't get handed back out as change. The bill ends up back at the bank, then back at the Federal Reserve, and the cycle of "invisibility" continues.
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Honestly, we’ve collectively decided as a society that the $2 bill is a "special" item. Grandma gives them for birthdays. People keep them in their wallets for good luck. Some even think they are worth more than two dollars (spoiler: unless it's a very old "Red Seal" note or has a specific printing error, it's just worth two bucks).
The History of the "Unlucky" Bill
Wait, why did people ever stop using them? There was a time, specifically in the early 20th century, when the $2 bill was actually considered bad luck.
Back then, "deuces" were commonly used for horse racing bets and at brothels. Because of these associations with "sinful" activities, polite society stayed away from them. There’s even an old superstition that you’re supposed to tear off a corner of the bill to "negative" the bad luck, which is why you’ll occasionally find old $2 notes with the corners missing.
The government actually tried to force us to love them. In 1976, for the U.S. Bicentennial, they redesigned the back of the bill. They replaced the old image of Monticello with a beautiful engraving of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It was a patriotic push to get people to use the denomination again. It backfired. People thought the new design was so cool that they just kept them as souvenirs instead of spending them.
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Are They Worth More Than Face Value?
This is the big question. Most people holding a $2 bill believe they are sitting on a tiny gold mine.
If your bill was printed after 1976 and is in circulated condition, it is almost certainly worth exactly $2. If you go to a coin shop with a stack of modern $2 bills, the owner will likely tell you to just go spend them at Starbucks. However, there are exceptions.
- Red Seals: If the treasury seal and serial numbers are red, you have a "United States Note" rather than a "Federal Reserve Note." These haven't been printed since the 1960s. Depending on condition, these can fetch $10 to $20.
- Star Notes: Look at the serial number. If there is a small star at the end of it, it means the bill was a replacement for a sheet that was damaged during printing. Collectors love these.
- Sequential Packs: If you have a brick of 100 uncirculated, sequentially numbered $2 bills, you can usually sell the pack for a premium on sites like eBay.
How to Get Them (Legally and Easily)
If you want to start using them—maybe to be that person who leaves a memorable tip or just to see the confused look on a waiter's face—you don't have to wait for luck.
Go to your bank. Any major branch of Chase, Wells Fargo, or Bank of America can order them for you. You don't even need to be a high-roller. You can walk in and ask for $20 worth of two-dollar bills. If they don't have them in the drawer, they can usually have them for you in a few days when their next cash shipment arrives.
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Why bother?
Some people use them as a "budgeting" tool. It’s harder to mindlessly spend money when the currency feels unique. Others use them because they are great for tipping. A $2 bill is a "super single." It feels more substantial than a $1 bill but isn't as "heavy" as a $5. Plus, it’s a conversation starter.
There's also a niche community of "Trackers" at Where's George? who love $2 bills because they stay in circulation longer since people tend to hold onto them.
The Future of the Two
So, do they still produce 2 dollar bills for the long haul?
Probably. As long as there is a niche demand and the Federal Reserve sees a reason to keep the denomination alive, the BEP will keep the plates ready. They are actually cheaper for the government in the long run; printing one $2 bill costs about the same as printing one $1 bill, but it moves twice the value and lasts longer because it isn't handled as roughly.
While we move closer to a cashless society, the $2 bill remains a quirky, completely legal, and still-in-production piece of Americana. It’s not a ghost. It’s just shy.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check your "junk" drawer: If you find a $2 bill with a red or blue seal (instead of green), keep it separate; it’s likely worth a premium over face value.
- Visit your local bank branch: Request $10 or $20 in $2 bills. Using them at local businesses is a simple way to support the continued circulation of this denomination.
- Verify the Series: If you are worried about "fakes" (which are rare for such a low denomination), look for the Series date near the portrait of Jefferson. Any bill dated 1976 or later is common; anything earlier is worth a trip to a collector's website for a quick price check.
- Use them for tipping: It’s a small way to stand out and often ensures better service the next time you visit a restaurant or valet, simply because the staff remembers "the person with the two-dollar bills."