Exploring the Value and Significance of Stamped $2 Bills: A Bicentennial Collector's Journey

When the 2 dollar bill was reintroduced in 1976, it was officially released on Thomas Jefferson’s birthday, April 13th. A great many people marked this event by putting a postage stamp on the note and taking it to the post office to have the note/stamp combination postmarked to show that it was a first day of issue item. This tradition was repeated on July 4, 1976, to commemorate the bicentennial of the Declaration of Independence.

The Tradition and the Significance

It just seemed natural to put a stamp on a $2 bill because of the bicentennial of the Declaration of Independence, and because Thomas Jefferson, the author of the Declaration, was on the front of the note. The reverse design was of the signing of the Declaration, further emphasizing this historical significance.

However, on the day of the bicentennial, July 4, 1976, fell on a Sunday, and most post offices were closed. This made obtaining a postmark for the bicentennial a bit more challenging, especially in smaller towns and cities where only one post office might be open for such stamps. In Louisville, where I lived, only the downtown main branch was available for these special postmarks.

People were getting unique items postmarked, including shoes, t-shirts, soccer balls, and even underwear, showcasing the creativity and enthusiasm of the bicentennial celebration.

The Collector’s Interest

For a brief period, a group of collectors specialized in collecting these postmarked 2 dollar bills. These collectors were particularly interested in postmarks from famous Revolutionary War towns like Mt. Vernon and Valley Forge, or postmarks from Philadelphia, where the Declaration of Independence was signed. However, as time passed, interest waned, and the collector community diminished, leaving these notes as mere curiosities today.

The Current Value of Stamped $2 Bills

While the 2 dollar bill is still perfectly valid legal tender and thus worth its face value of $2, the stamps on these bills generally do not add significant value. The 1976 bicentennial stamps, which had a thematic design celebrating the bicentennial, are among the most popular.

Collectors might be tempted to hype these postmarked notes as "rare" items, but they typically lack resale value. The scarcity of certain postmarks does a little add to their collectibility, especially if they come from towns with strong Revolutionary War connections.

Conclusion

In summary, while stamped 2 dollar bills from the bicentennial period are interesting historical artifacts, their primary value lies in their historical significance rather than their monetary worth. For the average person, these notes remain simply valid currency worth their face value of $2. People can either spend them or store them for future generations to explore and appreciate.