AMERICANS might treat $2 bills like a novelty, but experts have urged people to think twice before potentially giving up a bill that could be worth a fortune.
Certain $2 bills have been auctioned for as high as $4,500, but it must have an exact date on the front.
$2 OR THOUSANDS?
Although finding a $2 bill can feel like a rare occasion, it’s still worth $2.
However, specific $2 bills are worth much more on the collectibles market, according to the U.S. Currency Auctions (USCA) website.
Most valuable $2 bills were printed in the 19th century and have a variable average value between $2 and $2,500.
It all comes down to the date it was printed.
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Anyone hoping to hit the jackpot must secure a $2 bill printed and minted before 1976; at least, this is the date for it to be a vintage collectible.
The US Currency Auctions estimates that uncirculated notes from 1890 with a red seal can sell for as much as $4,500.
But there are more ways a $2 bill can be turned into a hefty paycheck.
PRINTING ERRORS
Of course, some $2 bills gained unexpected astronomical value because of printing errors.
Printing anomalies can make a bill or coin a highly sought-after collector’s item.
For example, the 1976 $2 bill with a “double print” error causes visual elements, including the serial number, to have a duplicated kaleidoscope look.
This error made it auction for over $19,000.
Or a printing mistake on a quarter made it sell for over $2,000.
The sky’s the limit with the treasures that money printing errors can unfold.
LOW SERIAL NUMBERS
Another way Americans can score a lot of money from their money is by finding bills with low serial numbers.
A low serial number bill contains five or more zeros.
The more valuable bills will only have one or two digits at the end.
For example, 00000004.
$2 bills are no different, and The U.S. Sun confirmed Heritage Auctions sold one with a serial number of 00000007 for $1,175.
Make the most of your change by paying attention to the details.
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