PMG Registry Featured Set: 1976 Series $2 Federal Reserve Note

This month we look at the $2 bill. With inflation in the headlines, will there come a day when the $2 bill, never very popular, might make a comeback? Anything is possible — coin collectors were surprised last year by the revelation that the Federal Reserve was ordering Kennedy Half Dollars for circulation for the first time in 20 years.

The PMG Registry offers almost two dozen ways to collect $2 Federal Reserve Notes. We are spotlighting LWHughes’ set, titled My $2 Worth, which leads the $2 Federal Reserve Note - 1976 Series Set with Stars category. He has regularly issued notes from each of the 12 Federal Reserve Banks, plus a star note from each.

1976 $2 Federal Reserve Note (San Francisco) graded PMG 67 Superb Gem Uncirculated EPQ and 1976 $2 Federal Reserve Note (Cleveland) graded PMG 68 Superb Gem Uncirculated EPQ Click images to enlarge

The 1976 note, with its new bicentennial design theme on the back, was saved by collectors and non-collectors alike. Just like the 1964 Kennedy Half Dollar, both the banknotes and coins are common in high grades.

1976 $2 Federal Reserve Note (Philadelphia) graded PMG 68 Superb Gem Uncirculated EPQ Click images to enlarge

For the 1976 $2 bills, notes graded PMG 68 Superb Gem Uncirculated EPQ are extremely scarce. LWHughes’ top-ranked set is distinguished from the PMG Registry’s other five complete sets as half of his notes have this grade. The collection also includes a Kansas City note graded PMG 69 Superb Gem Uncirculated EPQ. Out of the more than 16,000 Series 1976 $2 notes graded by PMG, fewer than 10 have achieved that grade.

Unfortunately, the uncertified 1976 $2 bill never gained much in value and ordinary examples often trade for face value today. But perhaps as the buying power of the dollar decreases, the $2 bill will become our workhorse. After all, today’s “dollar” stores were once “five and dime” stores. Are “two-dollar” stores the next logical step?

We thank LWHughes for assembling this set and look forward to future updates.

Would you like your set to be chosen for a future article? 100% completion in a set is not always feasible. Our team features sets with thoughtful comments and images for their set descriptions and notes. It may be your set! Stay tuned.

The PMG Registry is a free online platform where collectors register and display their certified notes and can compete against other collectors around the world for recognition and prizes. This popular resource now boasts almost 18,000 registered sets and almost 95,000 registered notes. Paper Money Guaranty® (PMG®) is excited for the 2022 PMG Registry Awards, and we hope you are, too! Get ready! Winners of the 2022 PMG Registry Awards will receive a personalized plaque, an icon of recognition next to their PMG Registry set, and a $500 PMG grading credit!

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