You’ve probably found one in your birthday card or tucked away in the back of a wallet you haven't used in three years. It’s crisp. It’s weird. It’s got Thomas Jefferson’s face on it and a bunch of guys in wigs signing the Declaration of Independence on the back. You look at the date and see "Series 2017" or "Series 2017 A." Immediately, you wonder if you’ve struck gold. Is this a rare printing? Is the government phasing them out? Can I sell this on eBay for a thousand bucks?
The short answer? Probably not.
Most of the time, that 2 dollar bill 2017 worth is exactly two dollars. No more, no less. But wait. Before you go and spend it on a gas station coffee, there are a few "what ifs" that could actually make that piece of paper worth a lot more than its face value.
The Myth of the Rare Deuce
People think $2 bills are rare because they don't see them in everyday transactions. Cashiers sometimes look at them like they're play money. I've even seen stories of people getting the cops called on them because a teenager at a fast-food register thought the bill was counterfeit. It’s not. The Treasury prints millions of them. In 2017 alone, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) pumped out massive quantities of these notes.
They aren't discontinued. They aren't "special editions." They are just standard legal tender that most people happen to hoard because they look "cool." This hoarding is exactly why most of them stay in "uncirculated" condition. Because everyone thinks they are rare, everyone saves them. Ironically, this makes the common ones worth less to collectors because there are so many pristine copies floating around.
If you have a standard, circulated 2017 $2 bill with a random serial number, it’s worth $2. You can take it to the bank and exchange it for two singles.
When the 2017 Series Actually Gains Value
So, when does the math change? Collectors look for three specific things: serial numbers, star notes, and errors.
The Magic of the Star Note
Look at the serial number. Is there a little star at the end instead of a letter? That’s a star note. These are replacement bills. If the BEP messes up a sheet during printing, they can’t just reprint the same serial numbers—that’s a bookkeeping nightmare. Instead, they swap in a "star" sheet.
For the 2 dollar bill 2017 worth calculation, a star note usually bumps the value up to $5 or $10 immediately, even if it’s just a "normal" star note. However, if that star note comes from a "short run" (meaning they only printed a few thousand of them instead of hundreds of thousands), the price can jump to $50 or more. You have to check the production tables on sites like MyCurrencyCollection to see how many were made in that specific run.
Fancy Serial Numbers
This is where the real money is. A serial number is just a string of eight digits, but to a collector, it’s a puzzle.
- Low Serials: If your bill is 00000001 through 00000100, you’re looking at hundreds, maybe thousands of dollars. Even numbers under 1,000 are highly coveted.
- Ladders: 12345678 or 87654321. These are incredibly rare.
- Radars: The number reads the same forward and backward (like 42299224).
- Solid numbers: All the same digit, like 88888888. These are the "holy grail" of modern currency.
I once saw a 2017 $2 bill with a "super radar" serial number sell for a premium that would cover a decent car payment. It’s all about the math and the "cool factor" of the digits.
The 2017 vs. 2017A Distinction
You’ll notice some bills say Series 2017 and some say Series 2017 A. The letter change usually happens when there is a change in the Secretary of the Treasury or the Treasurer of the United States.
For the 2017 series, you’ll see the signatures of Steven Mnuchin and Jovita Carranza. On the 2017 A series, you’ll see Mnuchin and Carranza as well, but the designation reflects a different production period at the BEP facilities in either Washington D.C. or Fort Worth, Texas.
Does the "A" make it worth more? Usually, no. Not unless there was a specific, tiny print run for one of the Federal Reserve banks. For example, bills printed for the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis (denoted by the letter I) are often printed in smaller quantities than those for New York (B) or Atlanta (F). Smaller supply usually means a slightly higher ceiling for value in the future, but for now, it's a marginal difference.
Condition is Everything (Seriously)
If your bill has a crease down the middle? Its value just tanked.
If the corners are rounded? It's a spender.
Currency collectors are notoriously picky. They use a grading scale from 1 to 70. A "Perfect Uncirculated 70" bill is basically impossible to find in the wild. Most bills you get from a bank might be a 63 or 64. To get the maximum 2 dollar bill 2017 worth, the paper needs to be crisp, "flickable," and devoid of any skin oils, dirt, or folds.
If you think you have a high-value serial number, do not put it in your wallet. Put it in a PVC-free plastic sleeve immediately. If you fold it, you’re literally burning money.
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The "Green Ink" Misconception
I've heard people claim that certain shades of green on the back of the 2017 notes mean they are special. That’s usually just a result of ink density during the printing process. The BEP uses massive high-pressure presses. Sometimes the ink is a bit heavier, sometimes a bit lighter. Unless it's a legitimate "insufficient inking" error where half the building is missing, it’s just a variation, not a gold mine.
How to Sell and What to Avoid
If you actually find a star note or a fancy serial number, don't go to a pawn shop. They’ll offer you $3 for a $50 bill.
Your best bet is a dedicated currency forum or a reputable auction site. eBay is the "wild west" of currency; you'll see people listing 2017 $2 bills for $5,000 claiming they are "ultra-rare." They aren't. They are just hoping a confused buyer bites. Check the "Sold" listings to see what people are actually paying.
Practical Steps for Your $2 Bill:
- Check the serial number first. Look for patterns, repeating digits, or low numbers.
- Look for the star. If there is a star at the end, it’s a keeper.
- Check the Federal Reserve seal. The letter inside the circle (A through L) tells you which bank it’s from. Look up "2017 $2 bill print totals" to see if your bank had a low production run.
- Assess the crispness. If it looks brand new, keep it flat. If it’s wrinkly, it’s just two dollars.
- Look for errors. Look for "ink smears," "misaligned borders," or "doubled printing." These are rare but can make a 2017 bill worth hundreds.
- Verify via reputable sources. Use the Standard Catalog of United States Paper Money or sites like PMG (Paper Money Guaranty) to cross-reference what you have.
The reality is that the 2 dollar bill 2017 worth is usually just two dollars because the US government still prints them by the truckload. But the thrill of the hunt is in that one-in-a-million serial number. Keep your eyes peeled, but don't quit your day job just because you found Jefferson in your change.