Think the $2 bill in your wallet is just quirky small change? Think again. A 2017A $2 bill — still in circulation — has recently made headlines for being worth over $85,000, thanks to one crucial detail: a rare serial number. While most people treat $2 bills as novelties or stash them in drawers, collectors are scouring them for hidden gems that could be worth a small fortune.
Yes, that unassuming bill in your hands might just be a jackpot waiting to be discovered.
Why the 2017A $2 Bill Is Special
The 2017A series of $2 bills isn’t particularly rare in itself. Millions were printed and released into circulation by the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing. However, some specific serial numbers have made certain bills ultra-valuable to collectors.
One such bill was recently valued at over $85,000, not because of a printing error or condition, but because of its exceptionally rare serial number — a combination that collectors are willing to pay huge sums for.
The Power of the Serial Number
Currency collectors, also known as notaphilists, obsess over low, unique, or patterned serial numbers. For the 2017A $2 bill, here are the serial number types that can dramatically increase value:
Low Serial Numbers
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Bills starting with several zeros, like 00000001 to 00000009, are highly prized.
Solid Serial Numbers
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All digits are the same (e.g., 22222222).
Repeater or Radar Numbers
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Radar: Numbers that read the same forward and backward (e.g., 12344321).
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Repeater: Repeating patterns (e.g., 12121212 or 34343434).
Star Notes
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Indicated with a ★ at the end of the serial number, star notes are replacements for misprinted bills and are often rarer.
Binary & Ladder Notes
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Binary: Only two digits used (e.g., 01010101).
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Ladder: Consecutive numbers (e.g., 12345678).
One 2017A $2 bill that recently sold for over $85,000 featured a perfect solid serial number and was also a star note, making it incredibly rare.
Still in Circulation — How Is That Possible?
Unlike high-denomination bills or obsolete notes, $2 bills are still being printed and used, even if they’re not common in daily transactions. Many people hoard them out of novelty, but others simply spend them — which is how valuable examples are sometimes found in the wild, tucked into change from a store or collected in a bundle from the bank.
In fact, some of the most valuable currency notes in history have been found by ordinary people, not seasoned collectors.
How to Check If You Have a Valuable $2 Bill
Here’s how to evaluate your $2 bill at home:
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Examine the Serial Number Carefully
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Located in the upper right and lower left corners.
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Look for patterns, low numbers, or a star symbol.
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Check the Series
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“2017A” is the key series for this current rarity.
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Look for Uncirculated Condition
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Crisp, clean bills with no folds or stains are worth significantly more.
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Use a Magnifying Glass
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Small errors, misalignments, or doubled numbers can also increase value.
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Get It Appraised
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If your bill seems unusual, consider having it graded by a service like PMG (Paper Money Guaranty) or PCGS Currency.
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Final Thoughts
While many think paper money is on the way out in the digital age, rare notes like the 2017A $2 bill with a unique serial number are proving that cold, hard cash can still deliver a major payday.
So before you pass that $2 bill on to the next cashier, take a closer look. You might just be holding $85,000 in your hands — disguised as something ordinary.