Is the US Two Dollar Bill Unlucky? by Bill Kincaid

Photo by Bill Kincaid

I am a Canadian with a conundrum. I inherited a US two dollar bill from my dear brother and he informed me that it is "unlucky". It has been sitting in my desk for about two years and I finally got around to seeing for myself whether it is viewed as unlucky.

The primary reason that there is a superstition associated with the two dollar bill is that another word for "two" is "deuce" which is another name for the devil and it is also the lowest card in the deck so it is not popular with gamblers. Other reasons there is an unsavory connotation with the two dollar bill are that it is relatively rare, and has been tied to visiting brothels, placing horse racing bets, casting "phony" votes, and purchasing cheap liquor.

Old Currency Buyers might purchase your two dollar bills if they are in an uncirculated pack of 100, have a low serial number, or are a rare "star note". Otherwise there is nothing too special about the US two dollar bill aside from the superstitions some people have.

I'll hold onto mine for curiosity's sake.