Since then, the $2 bill has been used mostly as a unique gift for birthdays or similar occasions. Some people thought it looked a lot like "play money."

     But recently it's become a lot more popular. Banks are ordering twice as many $2 bills from the Federal Reserve Bank as they did just five years ago. At the end of 2005, there were $8.6 billion $1 notes in circulation and $3.26 billion in $1 coins. In 2005, banks and credit unions ordered $122 million in $2 notes. The Federal Reserve reported that's more than double the average amount ordered from 1991 to 2000!

     No one is sure why the $2 notes are becoming more popular. One reason might be inflation. As things cost more, the $2 bill becomes more useful. Robert Hoge, curator of North American coins and currency at the American Numismatic Society, thinks the $2 bills are becoming popular because of immigration. $2 notes are popular and used a lot in Europe and Canada.

     The $100, $50, $20, $10 and $5 bills have all recently been re-designed. Now, some people think new laws might be introduced to discontinue the historic designs of these $2 bills. So the Exchange is releasing them to the public. Collectors will want them as will parents who want them for special occasions like holidays and birthdays. They can be ordered from the U. S. Monetary Exchange banded in sets of five. Call the hotline at 1-800-242-8038, ask for Department DB816.

Did You Know?

The $2 bill was first printed in the Colonies in 1776!!