Text appearing on United States two-dollar bills.
Version of 17 September 2008.
Dave Barber's other pages.

This page gives the text found on United States two-dollar bills, for the benefit of the reader who does not have access to the notes themselves or high-quality reproductions. Portraits and other major illustrations are also listed.

Quotations are rendered in upper case, because on the note the text is often a fanciful mixture of upper and lower cases that varies from one denomination to another.
Because dollar signs ($) and Roman numerals (II) are rare on two-dollar bills, they are noted where used. On the other hand, "TWO DOLLARS" and "2" are not mentioned on this page except as part of a larger phrase.
Subject to variation on the originals is the spelling of RECEIVEABLE.
Decriptions of the locations of items, such as top border and left center, are at best approximate.

Large-size legal tender notes.

Series of 1862.
Obverse top border "ACT OF JULY 11TH 1862"
center "THE UNITED STATES WILL PAY THE BEARER TWO DOLLARS AT THE TREASURY IN NEW YORK"
left "WASHINGTON"
left center portrait of Alexander Hamilton
bottom left Roman II
Reverse center "THIS NOTE IS A LEGAL TENDER FOR ALL DEBTS PUBLIC AND PRIVATE EXCEPT DUTIES ON IMPORTS AND INTEREST ON THE PUBLIC DEBT; AND IS RECEIVABLE IN PAYMENT OF ALL LOANS MADE TO THE UNITED STATES"
Series of 1869.
Obverse top border "THIS NOTE IS A LEGAL TENDER FOR TWO DOLLARS"
top border "SERIES OF 1869"
left border "ACT OF MARCH 3D 1863"
left border "ENGRAVED & PRINTED AT THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT"
bottom border "TREASURY NOTE"
left portrait of Thomas Jefferson
center "THE UNITED STATES WILL PAY TO BEARER TWO DOLLARS"
center engraving of Capitol
right "WASHINGTON"
Reverse bottom border "AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY, NEW YORK"
left Roman II
left center "COUNTERFEITING OR ALTERING THIS NOTE, OR PASSING ANY COUNTERFEIT OR ALTERATION OF IT, OR HAVING IN POSSESSION ANY FALSE OR COUNTERFEIT PLATE OR IMPRESSION OF IT, OR ANY PAPER MADE IN IMITATION OF THE PAPER ON WHICH IT IS PRINTED, IS FELONY, AND IS PUNISHABLE BY $5,000 FINE, OR FIFTEEN YEARS IMPRISONMENT AT HARD LABOR, OR BOTH."
right center "THIS NOTE IS A LEGAL TENDER AT ITS FACE VALUE FOR ALL DEBTS PUBLIC AND PRIVATE, EXCEPT DUTIES ON IMPORTS AND INTEREST ON THE PUBLIC DEBT."
Series of 1874 to 1917. The obverse is similar to that of 1869; the reverse completely different. These are also called United States Notes (USNs) from the legend in the bottom border.
Obverse top border "THIS NOTE IS A LEGAL TENDER FOR TWO DOLLARS"
top border "ENGRAVED AND PRINTED AT THE BUREAU OF ENGRAVING AND PRINTING"
top border "SERIES OF 1917" or other year
left border "ACT OF MARCH 3D 1863"
bottom border "UNITED STATES NOTE"
left portrait of Thomas Jefferson
center "THE UNITED STATES WILL PAY TO BEARER TWO DOLLARS"
center engraving of Capitol
right "WASHINGTON D.C."
Reverse left center "SERIES OF 1917" or other year
left center "PRINTED AT THE BUREAU OF ENGRAVING AND PRINTING"
right center "THIS NOTE IS A LEGAL TENDER AT ITS FACE VALUE FOR ALL DEBTS PUBLIC AND PRIVATE, EXCEPT DUTIES ON IMPORTS AND INTEREST ON THE PUBLIC DEBT. COUNTERFEITING OR ALTERING THIS NOTE, OR PASSING ANY COUNTERFEIT OR ALTERATION OF IT, OR HAVING IN POSSESSION ANY FALSE OR COUNTERFEIT PLATE OR IMPRESSION OF IT, OR ANY PAPER MADE IN IMITATION OF THE PAPER ON WHICH IT IS PRINTED, IS FELONY, AND IS PUNISHABLE BY $5,000 FINE, OR FIFTEEN YEARS IMPRISONMENT AT HARD LABOR, OR BOTH."

Series of 1862.
Obverse	top border	"ACT OF JULY 11TH 1862"
center	"THE UNITED STATES WILL PAY THE BEARER TWO DOLLARS AT THE TREASURY IN NEW YORK"
left	"WASHINGTON"
left center	portrait of Alexander Hamilton
bottom left	Roman II
Reverse	center	"THIS NOTE IS A LEGAL TENDER FOR ALL DEBTS PUBLIC AND PRIVATE EXCEPT DUTIES ON IMPORTS AND INTEREST ON THE PUBLIC DEBT; AND IS RECEIVABLE IN PAYMENT OF ALL LOANS MADE TO THE UNITED STATES"
Series of 1869.
Obverse	top border	"THIS NOTE IS A LEGAL TENDER FOR TWO DOLLARS"
top border	"SERIES OF 1869"
left border	"ACT OF MARCH 3D 1863"
left border	"ENGRAVED & PRINTED AT THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT"
bottom border	"TREASURY NOTE"
left	portrait of Thomas Jefferson
center	"THE UNITED STATES WILL PAY TO BEARER TWO DOLLARS"
center	engraving of Capitol
right	"WASHINGTON"
Reverse	bottom border	"AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY, NEW YORK"
left	Roman II
left center	"COUNTERFEITING OR ALTERING THIS NOTE, OR PASSING ANY COUNTERFEIT OR ALTERATION OF IT, OR HAVING IN POSSESSION ANY FALSE OR COUNTERFEIT PLATE OR IMPRESSION OF IT, OR ANY PAPER MADE IN IMITATION OF THE PAPER ON WHICH IT IS PRINTED, IS FELONY, AND IS PUNISHABLE BY $5,000 FINE, OR FIFTEEN YEARS IMPRISONMENT AT HARD LABOR, OR BOTH."
right center	"THIS NOTE IS A LEGAL TENDER AT ITS FACE VALUE FOR ALL DEBTS PUBLIC AND PRIVATE, EXCEPT DUTIES ON IMPORTS AND INTEREST ON THE PUBLIC DEBT."
Series of 1874 to 1917. The obverse is similar to that of 1869; the reverse completely different. These are also called United States Notes (USNs) from the legend in the bottom border.
Obverse	top border	"THIS NOTE IS A LEGAL TENDER FOR TWO DOLLARS"
top border	"ENGRAVED AND PRINTED AT THE BUREAU OF ENGRAVING AND PRINTING"
top border	"SERIES OF 1917" or other year
left border	"ACT OF MARCH 3D 1863"
bottom border	"UNITED STATES NOTE"
left	portrait of Thomas Jefferson
center	"THE UNITED STATES WILL PAY TO BEARER TWO DOLLARS"
center	engraving of Capitol
right	"WASHINGTON D.C."
Reverse	left center	"SERIES OF 1917" or other year
left center	"PRINTED AT THE BUREAU OF ENGRAVING AND PRINTING"
right center	"THIS NOTE IS A LEGAL TENDER AT ITS FACE VALUE FOR ALL DEBTS PUBLIC AND PRIVATE, EXCEPT DUTIES ON IMPORTS AND INTEREST ON THE PUBLIC DEBT. COUNTERFEITING OR ALTERING THIS NOTE, OR PASSING ANY COUNTERFEIT OR ALTERATION OF IT, OR HAVING IN POSSESSION ANY FALSE OR COUNTERFEIT PLATE OR IMPRESSION OF IT, OR ANY PAPER MADE IN IMITATION OF THE PAPER ON WHICH IT IS PRINTED, IS FELONY, AND IS PUNISHABLE BY $5,000 FINE, OR FIFTEEN YEARS IMPRISONMENT AT HARD LABOR, OR BOTH."

Large-size national bank notes (NBNs).

Original series.
Obverse top border "NATIONAL CURRENCY"
bottom border "NATIONAL BANK NOTE CO. NEW YORK"
bottom border name of state or territory
left woman holding flag
upper right large sideways "2", popularly known as the "lazy deuce"
upper center "THIS NOTE IS SECURED BY BONDS OF THE UNITED STATES DEPOSITED WITH THE U.S. TREASURER AT WASHINGTON"
lower center "ON DEMAND THE bank name OF city name WILL PAY TO BEARER TWO DOLLARS"
right center city and state of the issuing bank
a date that is dependent on the issuing bank
Reverse top border "NATIONAL CURRENCY"
upper center "THIS NOTE IS RECEIVEABLE AT PAR IN ALL PARTS OF THE UNITED STATES, IN PAYMENT OF ALL TAXES & EXCISES AND ALL OTHER DUES TO THE UNITED STATES, EXCEPT DUTIES ON IMPORTS, AND ALSO FOR ALL SALARIES AND OTHER DEBTS & DEMANDS OWING BY THE UNITED STATES TO INDIVIDUALS, CORPORATIONS & ASSOCIATIONS WITHIN THE UNITED STATES, EXCEPT INTEREST ON THE PUBLIC DEBT."
center illustration of Raleigh exhibiting maize and tobacco in England, printed in black ink
above illustration "SIR WALTER RALEIGH 1585"
below illustration "NATIONAL BANK NOTE CO. N.Y."
lower center "COUNTERFEITING OR ALTERING THIS NOTE, OR PASSING ANY COUNTERFEIT OR ALTERATION OF IT, OR HAVING IN POSSESSION ANY FALSE OR COUNTERFEIT PLATE OR IMPRESSIONS OF IT, OR ANY PAPER MADE IN IMITATION OF THE PAPER ON WHICH IT IS PRINTED, IS FELONY, AND IS PUNISHABLE BY $1,000 FINE, OR FIFTEEN YEARS IMPRISONMENT AT HARD LABOR, OR BOTH."
left a seal representing the state or territory in which the note was issued
right an eagle representing the United States
Series 1875.
Obverse top border "NATIONAL CURRENCY"
bottom border "NATIONAL BANK NOTE CO. NEW YORK"
upper left "PRINTED AT THE BUREAU OF ENGRAVING & PRINTING, TREASURY DEPT."
bottom border name of state or territory
left woman holding flag
upper right large sideways "2", popularly known as the "lazy deuce"
upper center "THIS NOTE IS SECURED BY BONDS OF THE UNITED STATES DEPOSITED WITH THE U.S. TREASURER AT WASHINGTON"
lower center "ON DEMAND THE bank name WILL PAY TO BEARER TWO DOLLARS" — omitted is city name
right center city and state of the issuing bank
a date that is dependent on the issuing bank
left center charter number of issuing bank, "SERIES 1875", printed sideways
right center charter number of issuing bank
Reverse
same as original
Other series. These are worth a comment even though two-dollar bills were not included.
NBNs of series 1882 were divided into first ("brown back"), second ("date back") and third ("value back") issues. The first retained the state or territorial seals on the reverse, but the second and third issues instead used symbols generic to the whole nation. The similar National Gold Bank Notes (NGBNs) issued in the 1870s also had a state seal on the back, in practice always California.
Although many of the NBNs have the issuing bank's charter number printed repeatedly within the obverse border, the deuces do not, as this practice began with the series of 1882 and continued until the end of the large-note era. Meanwhile, the NGBNs do not have these numbers, having been issued prior to 1882.

Original series.
Obverse	top border	"NATIONAL CURRENCY"
bottom border	"NATIONAL BANK NOTE CO. NEW YORK"
bottom border	name of state or territory
left	woman holding flag
upper right	large sideways "2", popularly known as the "lazy deuce"
upper center	"THIS NOTE IS SECURED BY BONDS OF THE UNITED STATES DEPOSITED WITH THE U.S. TREASURER AT WASHINGTON"
lower center	"ON DEMAND THE bank name OF city name WILL PAY TO BEARER TWO DOLLARS"
right center	city and state of the issuing bank
a date that is dependent on the issuing bank
Reverse	top border	"NATIONAL CURRENCY"
upper center	"THIS NOTE IS RECEIVEABLE AT PAR IN ALL PARTS OF THE UNITED STATES, IN PAYMENT OF ALL TAXES & EXCISES AND ALL OTHER DUES TO THE UNITED STATES, EXCEPT DUTIES ON IMPORTS, AND ALSO FOR ALL SALARIES AND OTHER DEBTS & DEMANDS OWING BY THE UNITED STATES TO INDIVIDUALS, CORPORATIONS & ASSOCIATIONS WITHIN THE UNITED STATES, EXCEPT INTEREST ON THE PUBLIC DEBT."
center	illustration of Raleigh exhibiting maize and tobacco in England, printed in black ink
above illustration	"SIR WALTER RALEIGH 1585"
below illustration	"NATIONAL BANK NOTE CO. N.Y."
lower center	"COUNTERFEITING OR ALTERING THIS NOTE, OR PASSING ANY COUNTERFEIT OR ALTERATION OF IT, OR HAVING IN POSSESSION ANY FALSE OR COUNTERFEIT PLATE OR IMPRESSIONS OF IT, OR ANY PAPER MADE IN IMITATION OF THE PAPER ON WHICH IT IS PRINTED, IS FELONY, AND IS PUNISHABLE BY $1,000 FINE, OR FIFTEEN YEARS IMPRISONMENT AT HARD LABOR, OR BOTH."
left	a seal representing the state or territory in which the note was issued
right	an eagle representing the United States
Series 1875.
Obverse	top border	"NATIONAL CURRENCY"
bottom border	"NATIONAL BANK NOTE CO. NEW YORK"
upper left	"PRINTED AT THE BUREAU OF ENGRAVING & PRINTING, TREASURY DEPT."
bottom border	name of state or territory
left	woman holding flag
upper right	large sideways "2", popularly known as the "lazy deuce"
upper center	"THIS NOTE IS SECURED BY BONDS OF THE UNITED STATES DEPOSITED WITH THE U.S. TREASURER AT WASHINGTON"
lower center	"ON DEMAND THE bank name WILL PAY TO BEARER TWO DOLLARS" — omitted is city name
right center	city and state of the issuing bank
a date that is dependent on the issuing bank
left center	charter number of issuing bank, "SERIES 1875", printed sideways
right center	charter number of issuing bank
Reverse same as original
Other series. These are worth a comment even though two-dollar bills were not included. NBNs of series 1882 were divided into first ("brown back"), second ("date back") and third ("value back") issues. The first retained the state or territorial seals on the reverse, but the second and third issues instead used symbols generic to the whole nation. The similar National Gold Bank Notes (NGBNs) issued in the 1870s also had a state seal on the back, in practice always California. Although many of the NBNs have the issuing bank's charter number printed repeatedly within the obverse border, the deuces do not, as this practice began with the series of 1882 and continued until the end of the large-note era. Meanwhile, the NGBNs do not have these numbers, having been issued prior to 1882.

Large-size silver certificates.

Series 1886.
Obverse top border "SILVER CERTIFICATE"
left border "ACT OF AUGUST 4, 1886"
center "THIS CERTIFIES THAT THERE HAVE BEEN DEPOSITED IN THE TREASURY OF THE UNITED STATES TWO SILVER DOLLARS PAYABLE TO THE BEARER ON DEMAND. WASHINGTON D.C."
left portrait of General W.S. Hancock
Reverse center "UNITED STATES SILVER CERTIFICATE"
center "THIS CERTIFICATE IS RECEIVABLE FOR CUSTOMS, TAXES AND ALL PUBLIC DUES, AND WHEN SO RECEIVED MAY BE REISSUED"
bottom border "BUREAU, ENGRAVING & PRINTING"
Series 1891.
Obverse top border "SILVER CERTIFICATE"
top border "ACT OF AUGUST 4, 1886"
top right border "SERIES, 1891"
left center "THIS CERTIFIES THAT THERE HAVE BEEN DEPOSITED IN THE TREASURY OF THE UNITED STATES"
right center "TWO SILVER DOLLARS PAYABLE TO THE BEARER ON DEMAND. WASHINGTON D.C."
center portrait of William Windom, secretary of the treasury
Reverse center "UNITED STATES SILVER CERTIFICATE"
center "THIS CERTIFICATE IS RECEIVABLE FOR CUSTOMS, TAXES AND ALL PUBLIC DUES, AND WHEN SO RECEIVED MAY BE REISSUED"
Series 1896. These are part of the "Educational Series", which features some of the most ornate obverses of all United States issues. The large illustration in the center of the obverse splits the obligation text, although the fonts chosen to render it help clarify the meaning.
Obverse top border "THIS CERTIFIES THAT THERE HAVE BEEN" [gap] "DEPOSITED IN THE TREASURY OF THE"
top "UNITED" [gap] "STATES"
left center,
right center "TWO SILVER DOLLARS"
right center "PAYABLE TO THE" [gap] "BEARER ON DEMAND"
lower left,
upper right "SERIES OF 1896"
bottom center border "SCIENCE PRESENTING STEAM AND ELECTRICITY TO COMMERCE AND MANUFACTURE"
"BUREAU OF ENGRAVING AND PRINTING"
bottom left border "WASHINGTON D.C."
bottom right border "ACT OF AUG. 4, 1886."
left border "SILVER CERTIFICATE $2"
right border "$2 SILVER CERTIFICATE"
Reverse left center portrait of Robert Fulton, famous for his work on steam
right center portrait of Samuel F.B. Morse, famous for his work on electricity
top "UNITED STATES"
under each portrait "SILVER CERTIFICATE"
bottom center "THIS CERTIFICATE IS RECEIVABLE FOR CUSTOMS, TAXES AND ALL PUBLIC DUES, AND WHEN SO RECEIVED MAY BE REISSUED"
bottom border "BUREAU, ENGRAVING & PRINTING"
Series 1899.
Obverse lower center portrait of George Washington
left center figure representing mechanics
right center figure representing agriculture
top and bottom borders "SILVER CERTIFICATE"
top border "THIS CERTIFIES THAT THERE HAVE BEEN DEPOSITED IN THE TREASURY OF THE"
upper center "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA"
center "TWO SILVER DOLLARS"
bottom border "PAYABLE TO THE BEARER ON DEMAND."
left border "ACT OF AUGUST 4, 1886"
lower left,
upper right "SERIES OF 1899"
Reverse top and bottom borders "SILVER CERTIFICATE"
lower center "THIS CERTIFICATE IS RECEIVABLE FOR CUSTOMS, TAXES AND ALL PUBLIC DUES, AND WHEN SO RECEIVED MAY BE REISSUED"

Series 1886.
Obverse	top border	"SILVER CERTIFICATE"
left border	"ACT OF AUGUST 4, 1886"
center	"THIS CERTIFIES THAT THERE HAVE BEEN DEPOSITED IN THE TREASURY OF THE UNITED STATES TWO SILVER DOLLARS PAYABLE TO THE BEARER ON DEMAND. WASHINGTON D.C."
left	portrait of General W.S. Hancock
Reverse	center	"UNITED STATES SILVER CERTIFICATE"
center	"THIS CERTIFICATE IS RECEIVABLE FOR CUSTOMS, TAXES AND ALL PUBLIC DUES, AND WHEN SO RECEIVED MAY BE REISSUED"
bottom border	"BUREAU, ENGRAVING & PRINTING"
Series 1891.
Obverse	top border	"SILVER CERTIFICATE"
top border	"ACT OF AUGUST 4, 1886"
top right border	"SERIES, 1891"
left center	"THIS CERTIFIES THAT THERE HAVE BEEN DEPOSITED IN THE TREASURY OF THE UNITED STATES"
right center	"TWO SILVER DOLLARS PAYABLE TO THE BEARER ON DEMAND. WASHINGTON D.C."
center	portrait of William Windom, secretary of the treasury
Reverse	center	"UNITED STATES SILVER CERTIFICATE"
center	"THIS CERTIFICATE IS RECEIVABLE FOR CUSTOMS, TAXES AND ALL PUBLIC DUES, AND WHEN SO RECEIVED MAY BE REISSUED"
Series 1896. These are part of the "Educational Series", which features some of the most ornate obverses of all United States issues. The large illustration in the center of the obverse splits the obligation text, although the fonts chosen to render it help clarify the meaning.
Obverse	top border	"THIS CERTIFIES THAT THERE HAVE BEEN" [gap] "DEPOSITED IN THE TREASURY OF THE"
top	"UNITED" [gap] "STATES"
left center, right center	"TWO SILVER DOLLARS"
right center	"PAYABLE TO THE" [gap] "BEARER ON DEMAND"
lower left, upper right	"SERIES OF 1896"
bottom center border	"SCIENCE PRESENTING STEAM AND ELECTRICITY TO COMMERCE AND MANUFACTURE"
"BUREAU OF ENGRAVING AND PRINTING"
bottom left border	"WASHINGTON D.C."
bottom right border	"ACT OF AUG. 4, 1886."
left border	"SILVER CERTIFICATE $2"
right border	"$2 SILVER CERTIFICATE"
Reverse	left center	portrait of Robert Fulton, famous for his work on steam
right center	portrait of Samuel F.B. Morse, famous for his work on electricity
top	"UNITED STATES"
under each portrait	"SILVER CERTIFICATE"
bottom center	"THIS CERTIFICATE IS RECEIVABLE FOR CUSTOMS, TAXES AND ALL PUBLIC DUES, AND WHEN SO RECEIVED MAY BE REISSUED"
bottom border	"BUREAU, ENGRAVING & PRINTING"
Series 1899.
Obverse	lower center	portrait of George Washington
left center	figure representing mechanics
right center	figure representing agriculture
top and bottom borders	"SILVER CERTIFICATE"
top border	"THIS CERTIFIES THAT THERE HAVE BEEN DEPOSITED IN THE TREASURY OF THE"
upper center	"UNITED STATES OF AMERICA"
center	"TWO SILVER DOLLARS"
bottom border	"PAYABLE TO THE BEARER ON DEMAND."
left border	"ACT OF AUGUST 4, 1886"
lower left, upper right	"SERIES OF 1899"
Reverse	top and bottom borders	"SILVER CERTIFICATE"
lower center	"THIS CERTIFICATE IS RECEIVABLE FOR CUSTOMS, TAXES AND ALL PUBLIC DUES, AND WHEN SO RECEIVED MAY BE REISSUED"

Large-size treasury notes.

Series 1890. Although these promise to pay the bearer in coin, they do not specify whether that coin will be silver or gold.
Obverse top border "TREASURY NOTE"
bottom border "LEGAL TENDER ACT JULY 14, 1890."
center "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WILL PAY TO BEARER TWO DOLLARS IN COIN"
lower center "WASHINGTON, D.C."
right portrait of General James McPherson
bottom left "$2"
right border "SERIES OF 1890"
all borders very small "UNITED STATES"
Reverse bottom center "THIS NOTE IS A LEGAL TENDER AT ITS FACE VALUE IN PAYMENT OF ALL DEBTS PUBLIC AND PRIVATE EXCEPT WHEN OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY STIPULATED IN THE CONTRACT"
bottom border "BUREAU, ENGRAVING & PRINTING"
Series 1891.
Obverse
same as series 1890, except: right border "SERIES OF 1891" updated
left center "SERIES OF 1891" added
Reverse top and bottom borders "TREASURY NOTE"
left center "THIS NOTE IS A LEGAL TENDER AT ITS FACE VALUE IN PAYMENT OF ALL DEBTS PUBLIC AND PRIVATE EXCEPT WHEN OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY STIPULATED INT THE CONTRACT"
top center "UNITED STATES"
left border "BUREAU OF ENGRAVING AND PRINTING"

Series 1890. Although these promise to pay the bearer in coin, they do not specify whether that coin will be silver or gold.
Obverse	top border	"TREASURY NOTE"
bottom border	"LEGAL TENDER ACT JULY 14, 1890."
center	"THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WILL PAY TO BEARER TWO DOLLARS IN COIN"
lower center	"WASHINGTON, D.C."
right	portrait of General James McPherson
bottom left	"$2"
right border	"SERIES OF 1890"
all borders	very small "UNITED STATES"
Reverse	bottom center	"THIS NOTE IS A LEGAL TENDER AT ITS FACE VALUE IN PAYMENT OF ALL DEBTS PUBLIC AND PRIVATE EXCEPT WHEN OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY STIPULATED IN THE CONTRACT"
bottom border	"BUREAU, ENGRAVING & PRINTING"
Series 1891.
Obverse same as series 1890, except:	right border	"SERIES OF 1891" updated
left center	"SERIES OF 1891" added
Reverse	top and bottom borders	"TREASURY NOTE"
left center	"THIS NOTE IS A LEGAL TENDER AT ITS FACE VALUE IN PAYMENT OF ALL DEBTS PUBLIC AND PRIVATE EXCEPT WHEN OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY STIPULATED INT THE CONTRACT"
top center	"UNITED STATES"
left border	"BUREAU OF ENGRAVING AND PRINTING"

Large-size federal reserve bank notes.

Series 1918.
Obverse top border "NATIONAL CURRENCY"
bottom border "FEDERAL RESERVE BANK NOTE"
top center "SECURED BY UNITED STATES CERTIFICATES OF INDEBTEDNESS OR UNITED STATES ONE-YEAR GOLD NOTES, DEPOSITED WITH THE TREASURER OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA"
center "THE FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF" city state "WILL PAY TO THE BEARER ON DEMAND TWO DOLLARS"
upper left,
lower right "SERIES OF 1918"
lower right "MAY 18, 1914"
right border "AUTHORIZED BY THE ACTS OF DECEMBER 23, 1913, AND APRIL 23, 1918"
left portrait of Thomas Jefferson
four corners FRB letter and number — "A-1" for Boston, "B-2" for New York, et cetera
Reverse top border "NATIONAL CURRENCY"
"FEDERAL RESERVE BANK NOTE"
center illustration of warship
bottom border "THIS NOTE IS RECEIVABLE AT PAR IN ALL PARTS OF THE UNITED STATES IN PAYMENT OF ALL TAXES AND EXCISES, AND ALL OTHER DUES TO THE UNITED STATES EXCEPT DUTIES ON IMPORTS AND ALSO FOR ALL SALARIES, AND OTHER DEBTS, AND DEMANDS OWING BY THE UNITED STATES TO INDIVIDUALS CORPORATIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS WITHIN THE UNITED STATES EXCEPT INTEREST ON THE PUBLIC DEBT."

Series 1918.
Obverse	top border	"NATIONAL CURRENCY"
bottom border	"FEDERAL RESERVE BANK NOTE"
top center	"SECURED BY UNITED STATES CERTIFICATES OF INDEBTEDNESS OR UNITED STATES ONE-YEAR GOLD NOTES, DEPOSITED WITH THE TREASURER OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA"
center	"THE FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF" city state "WILL PAY TO THE BEARER ON DEMAND TWO DOLLARS"
upper left, lower right	"SERIES OF 1918"
lower right	"MAY 18, 1914"
right border	"AUTHORIZED BY THE ACTS OF DECEMBER 23, 1913, AND APRIL 23, 1918"
left	portrait of Thomas Jefferson
four corners	FRB letter and number — "A-1" for Boston, "B-2" for New York, et cetera
Reverse	top border	"NATIONAL CURRENCY"
"FEDERAL RESERVE BANK NOTE"
center	illustration of warship
bottom border	"THIS NOTE IS RECEIVABLE AT PAR IN ALL PARTS OF THE UNITED STATES IN PAYMENT OF ALL TAXES AND EXCISES, AND ALL OTHER DUES TO THE UNITED STATES EXCEPT DUTIES ON IMPORTS AND ALSO FOR ALL SALARIES, AND OTHER DEBTS, AND DEMANDS OWING BY THE UNITED STATES TO INDIVIDUALS CORPORATIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS WITHIN THE UNITED STATES EXCEPT INTEREST ON THE PUBLIC DEBT."

Small-size legal tender notes

Series 1928 to 1928-G.
Obverse top border "UNITED STATES NOTE"
bottom border "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WILL PAY TO THE BEARER ON DEMAND TWO DOLLARS"
center portrait of Thomas Jefferson
left "THIS NOTE IS LEGAL TENDER AT ITS FACE VALUE FOR ALL DEBTS PUBLIC AND PRIVATE"
lower left,
upper right "SERIES OF 1928" or 1928-A, 1928-B, et cetera
at lower right of portrait "WASHINGTON, D.C."
right large "TWO"
Reverse center illustration of Monticello
top "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA"
Series 1953 to 1953-C.
Obverse top border "UNITED STATES NOTE"
bottom border "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WILL PAY TO THE BEARER ON DEMAND TWO DOLLARS"
center portrait of Thomas Jefferson
left "THIS NOTE IS LEGAL TENDER AT ITS FACE VALUE FOR ALL DEBTS PUBLIC AND PRIVATE"
lower right "SERIES OF 1953" or 1953-A, et cetera
upper right "WASHINGTON, D.C."
right large "TWO"
Reverse
same as 1928
Series 1963 to 1963-A.
Obverse
same as 1953, except: left "THIS NOTE IS LEGAL TENDER FOR ALL DEBTS PUBLIC AND PRIVATE" ("AT ITS FACE VALUE" deleted)
bottom border "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TWO DOLLARS" ("WILL PAY TO THE BEARER ON DEMAND" deleted)
Reverse
same as 1953, except: above Monticello "IN GOD WE TRUST" added

Series 1928 to 1928-G.
Obverse	top border	"UNITED STATES NOTE"
bottom border	"THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WILL PAY TO THE BEARER ON DEMAND TWO DOLLARS"
center	portrait of Thomas Jefferson
left	"THIS NOTE IS LEGAL TENDER AT ITS FACE VALUE FOR ALL DEBTS PUBLIC AND PRIVATE"
lower left, upper right	"SERIES OF 1928" or 1928-A, 1928-B, et cetera
at lower right of portrait	"WASHINGTON, D.C."
right	large "TWO"
Reverse	center	illustration of Monticello
top	"THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA"
Series 1953 to 1953-C.
Obverse	top border	"UNITED STATES NOTE"
bottom border	"THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WILL PAY TO THE BEARER ON DEMAND TWO DOLLARS"
center	portrait of Thomas Jefferson
left	"THIS NOTE IS LEGAL TENDER AT ITS FACE VALUE FOR ALL DEBTS PUBLIC AND PRIVATE"
lower right	"SERIES OF 1953" or 1953-A, et cetera
upper right	"WASHINGTON, D.C."
right	large "TWO"
Reverse same as 1928
Series 1963 to 1963-A.
Obverse same as 1953, except:	left	"THIS NOTE IS LEGAL TENDER FOR ALL DEBTS PUBLIC AND PRIVATE" ("AT ITS FACE VALUE" deleted)
bottom border	"THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TWO DOLLARS" ("WILL PAY TO THE BEARER ON DEMAND" deleted)
Reverse same as 1953, except:	above Monticello	"IN GOD WE TRUST" added

Small-size federal reserve notes.

Series 1976 to present.
Obverse top border "FEDERAL RESERVE NOTE"
bottom border "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TWO DOLLARS"
center portrait of Thomas Jefferson
upper left "THIS NOTE IS LEGAL TENDER FOR ALL DEBTS PUBLIC AND PRIVATE"
lower right "SERIES OF 1976" or later
upper right "WASHINGTON, D.C."
right large "TWO"
Reverse center portion of illustration of the signing of The Declaration of Independence
top "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA"
bottom border "IN GOD WE TRUST"
bottom border "DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, 1776"

Series 1976 to present.
Obverse	top border	"FEDERAL RESERVE NOTE"
	bottom border	"THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TWO DOLLARS"
	center	portrait of Thomas Jefferson
	upper left	"THIS NOTE IS LEGAL TENDER FOR ALL DEBTS PUBLIC AND PRIVATE"
	lower right	"SERIES OF 1976" or later
	upper right	"WASHINGTON, D.C."
	right	large "TWO"
Reverse	center	portion of illustration of the signing of The Declaration of Independence
	top	"THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA"
	bottom border	"IN GOD WE TRUST"
	bottom border	"DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, 1776"