In recent years, interest in two-dollar bills with a red seal has grown significantly. Although this denomination is not very popular with the American public and its circulation has always been limited, the combination of historical factors, relatively short print runs and production variants makes these bills highly coveted. Currently, auction houses and specialized collectors agree that their value can range from a few dollars to figures that exceed 20 thousand dollars, in the case of very scarce series or those accompanied by a star in the serial number.
Learn about the evolution of the red-stamped US two-dollar bills since 1928
The first two-dollar bills in the United States were printed in 1862, but they were not popular. From 1928, the Department of the Treasury decided to reduce their size to the format we know today and to differentiate some copies with a bright red stamp. These legal tender banknotes kept the portrait of Thomas Jefferson on the obverse and, on the reverse, the image of Monticello, the home of the famous president.
Over the years, several series and subseries emerged (1928, 1953 and 1963, among others), whose modifications could include changes in the official signatures or in the location of the Treasury seal. The latter, which was originally on the left, was moved to the right from the Series of 1953 onwards. With the Series of 1963, the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST” was also added above the Monticello vignette.
Numismatic experts highlight the value of the coveted two-dollar star bills
According to specialists, one of the features that most impacts the price of a two-dollar bill with a red seal is the presence of the “star” at the end of the serial number. These bills, known as “replacement notes,” were printed to replace defective copies without duplicating the numbering. Given that the production volume of these star versions was very low, they can double or even triple the value of a regular banknote.
The most extreme case is that of the 1928-B Series with a red seal and star, catalogued as one of the rarest: its auction prices can exceed $20,000 in impeccable condition. Even so, other series also arouse the interest of collectors, especially if they show minimal wear and retain the sharp colors of the seal and signatures.
Discover why the red seal and Thomas Jefferson’s signature attract the attention of collectors
To understand the importance of the red seal, we have to go back to a time when gold certificates, silver certificates and other legal tender banknotes coexisted. The color of the seal differentiated these issues, and the use of bright red ink gave the two-dollar bills a distinctive character.
In addition, the portrait of Thomas Jefferson, considered one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, provides a historical component that is very appealing. The 1953 Series maintained the traditional design, although with slight variations in the signatures and the placement of the seal. These particularities have made the two-dollar bill an icon for numismatics enthusiasts, despite its limited popularity in everyday life.
How to identify the series and subseries of the most valuable US dollar bills
The series is generally indicated on the obverse of the banknote and corresponds to the first year in which the design or signature was approved. Within the same series, there may be subseries (A, B, C, etc.) that reflect specific changes in the signing authorities or slight alterations in the printing. For example, the 1953 Series included four subseries: 1953, 1953-A, 1953-B and 1953-C.
Another way of identifying them to determine their rarity and value is to check the specialized catalogs, where tables with approximate price ranges for each combination of series and presence (or absence) of a star appear. Thus, a 1953-C banknote with a red stamp can be valued at $9 if it is “very good,” but can reach $20 or more in “uncirculated” condition, while star versions tend to raise their price even higher.
For more articles on topics related to banknotes and coins that have a higher value in the market, do not hesitate to visit the economy section of this digital newspaper.
