How Much Are Uncut Two Dollar Bills Worth?

Availability

• The two dollar bill is a rare denomination. The two dollar bill was last printed in series 2003 (as of 2009). Out of a total American currency circulation of several hundred billion dollars, only about $1.5 billion is in two dollar bills. Sheets of uncut two dollar bills typically sell for two or more times their face value. Collectors may purchase sheets of four, eight, 16 or 32 bills at prices ranging from as little as $12 for sheets of four up to $149 or more for presentation sheets of 32.

Presentation Formats

• Private dealers and online auction sites offer uncut two dollar bills in various presentation formats. Bills can be sold as actual sheets, or may come packaged either in plastic tubes or in portfolios. These presentation formats protect the bills from damage and wear. They also considerably increase the cost of the uncut two dollar sheets. Sheets of four uncut two dollar bills in original plastic tubes sell for an average price of $39.99. Portfolios containing the same amount of bills usually cost an identical amount, but come with currency facts and trivia printed on the volume.

Treasurer Autographed Sheets

• Collectors purchase uncut two dollar bills primarily as a collectible items or gifts. Occasionally, the United States Department of Printing and Engraving works in tandem with the United States Department of the Treasury to issue uncut sheets of two dollar bills directly to the public. At one such sale, at the Federal Reserve Bank in Boston, purchasers could have their bills autographed by the Secretary of the Treasury. These autographed bills become keepsakes that may increase in value over time. Single treasurer autographed bills have been worth several times their face value.

Unusual Gifts

• Other purchasers of sheets of uncut dollar bills prefer to use them as gifts. The sheets themselves, or the tubes or portfolios, can be given as presents for birthdays or holidays. Some have even wrapped other gifts with the fresh sheets of uncut bills. Sheets of uncut two dollar bills always retain their actual value as legal tender United States currency. If recipients of gifts do not wish to save the sheets, they can be hand cut into individual bills and used as money.

Potential

• Still others purchase sheets of uncut two dollar bills in the expectation that the particular issues might one day become obsolete, and thus, more valuable. The United States has changed the form of its currency a number of times over the years. The current Federal Reserve notes replaced earlier United States notes. Modern notes, as well, are purely fiat money. Their value is determined by the whims of the market. Earlier issues of United States notes were backed directly by gold or silver. Older two dollar bills were actual silver certificates that were once redeemable directly for silver dollars, and later (briefly) for silver bullion. Current two dollar bills, cut or uncut, are not convertible into silver or gold.