Do you have an old $2 bill tucked away in a wallet or hiding in a drawer? You might want to dig it out — because what looks like ordinary pocket change could actually be a collector’s treasure. Most people rarely see a $2 bill anymore, and that’s part of what makes it so fascinating. It’s legal money, still printed today, yet many Americans treat it like a myth — a curious relic of the past that refuses to disappear.
The Surprising Origins of the $2 Bill
The $2 bill first appeared in 1862, right in the middle of the Civil War, when coins were in short supply. The U.S. Treasury began printing paper notes to keep the economy moving, and among them was the humble two-dollar note. Interestingly, the first version didn’t feature Thomas Jefferson. Instead, it showcased Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of the Treasury. Jefferson’s portrait and his Monticello home came later, giving the bill its now-iconic look.
Through the late 1800s and early 1900s, the $2 bill carried an odd reputation. Many people believed it brought bad luck, and shopkeepers often refused to take it. As demand dropped, the bill became rarer — and more mysterious.
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