Did you know that the $2 bill is still in circulation? Did you know that they are not scarce? Did you know that printing $2 bills is twice as cost-effective for the government as printing $1 bills since they both cost the same amount (5.5 cents) to manufacture?
But the public has not circulated them as widely.
During the Great Depression, few Americans had enough money to require $2 bills. In the middle of the 20th century, $2 bills were often used for betting on horse racing, tips at strip clubs and for bribery when politicians wanted votes (though this is most likely an urban legend), and so acquired a negative reputation.
During World War II and later, Servicemen were frequently paid with $2 bills, and as a result the notes often saw use at canteens, post exchanges, USO clubs and commissaries.
Many people erroneously believe that the 1976 series note with its unusual reverse design was a special, limited issue, produced for the United States Bicentennial; this, combined with the ten year hiatus between 1966-76, gave the impression these notes might be valuable as collector’s items, and contributed to hoarding. I was 12 when the new design was printed. So, I was one of those who thought that this was a special bills, just like the bicentennial $.25 and $.50
Today, the general public is still largely unfamiliar with the notes because they are not widely circulated and continue to be frequently hoarded.