How do I know mine is a 1963 and not a 1953?
Turn it over. If the words IN GOD WE TRUST arch over Monticello, you have a 1963 or 1963A. The 1953 notes have a plain back. On the front, the 1963 notes also drop the promise WILL PAY TO THE BEARER ON DEMAND that earlier notes carried above the denomination. The change came as the Treasury moved away from notes that promised to pay out anything beyond other money.
The seal stays on the right, small and red, just as on the 1953 notes. The series appears as SERIES 1963 to the right of Jefferson, with an A after it on the later printing.
Series 1963 $2 United States notes: signatures
| Series | Treasurer | Secretary of the Treasury | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | Kathryn O. Granahan | C. Douglas Dillon | First $2 with the motto |
| 1963A | Kathryn O. Granahan | Henry H. Fowler | Last $2 United States note; smaller printing |
What separates 1963 from 1963A?
Only the Secretary's signature. Both are signed on the left by Treasurer Kathryn O. Granahan. The 1963 carries C. Douglas Dillon on the right and the 1963A carries Henry H. Fowler. Dillon left the Treasury in 1965 and Fowler replaced him, which is why the letter changed.
The 1963A run was much smaller than the 1963. That gives the 1963A a slight edge with collectors, though neither is rare as a regular note. In worn condition the two trade at similar levels. The gap opens up in uncirculated condition and with star notes.
Why did the red seal $2 end in 1966?
In August 1966 the Treasury stopped issuing both the $2 and the $5 United States notes, citing low demand for the $2. The denomination simply went away for ten years. When it came back on April 13, 1976, it was a green seal Federal Reserve note with a new back. So the 1963A is the end of the line for the red seal $2 and the last $2 with Monticello on the back.
That ending is a big part of why people hold onto these notes. Many were saved in the late 1960s by people who assumed the $2 was gone for good.
How do star notes and serials change the value?
Check the serial number. On these notes a star replaces the letter at the front. Stars were printed for both series. Either way they are much scarcer than regular notes. A crisp 1963A star is the most desirable note of this pair.
Look for interesting numbers too. A serial below 100, a number made of one repeated digit or a radar that reads the same forwards and backwards will attract collectors no matter how common the series. These notes were often saved in consecutive runs, so if you have several, lay them out in order. A sequence of crisp consecutive notes is more appealing to a buyer than the same notes sold one by one.
How do I judge the condition?
Tilt the note under a lamp. Folds and creases show up as lines that catch the light. An uncirculated note has none, its paper is stiff and the ink looks sharp. A note that was saved in a drawer but folded once to fit in an envelope is a nice note but not uncirculated.
Also check for the problems that hurt any note: pinholes from being tacked up, writing, tape, stains, a corner torn off or edges trimmed with scissors. These pull a note down a band even if the rest looks fresh. Do not try to fix any of it.
What should I do with a 1963 $2 bill?
Keep it flat in a currency sleeve and away from heat and damp. If it's worn, it's a nice keepsake and a good conversation piece, since it's the last of its kind. If it's crisp, a star note or part of a consecutive run, take it to a dealer who handles small-size paper money and ask for an offer. You can also compare what similar notes in similar condition have sold for at auction, looking for an exact match of series, condition and star status.
It remains legal tender and a bank will accept it at face value. That's the floor, not the realistic value.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a 1963 $2 bill worth?
A circulated 1963 or 1963A red seal $2 is worth a small premium over face value. Uncirculated notes and star notes are worth more.
Is the 1963A $2 bill rare?
It's scarcer than the 1963 because it had a smaller printing, but it isn't rare. The 1963A star notes are the harder ones to find.
Why does my 1963 $2 bill say In God We Trust on the back?
Series 1963 was the first $2 to carry the motto, which Congress required on all paper money starting in 1955.
What was the last red seal $2 bill?
Series 1963A, signed by Granahan and Fowler. The $2 United States note was discontinued in August 1966.
Sources: United States two-dollar bill (Wikipedia) · United States Note (Wikipedia) · Paper Money of the United States, small-size legal tender notes (Neil Berman)