Expert: PAPAJACK - 9/3/2007

Question
DEAR PAPAJACK,
I HAVE 3 SETS OF CRISP UNCIRCULATED 1976 $2 BILLS.  THEY ARE IN SEQUENTIAL ORDER AND I HAVE THE ORIGINAL STRAPS.  THREE SETS OF 100 AND THEY ARE THE E SERIES.  IT IS OBVIOUS THESE HAVE NEVER BEEN TOUCHED BY HUMAN HANDS. CAN YOU TELL ME APPROXIMATELY WHAT THEY ARE WORTH?

Answer
Hello Frank,                        

I am not sure of what you mean by "3 SETS OF 100" $2 dollar bills but here is information on the 1976 Two dollar Federal reserve note and s if the postal stamp is with them.

The 1976 $2.00 NOTES are common and were made for the Bicentennial celebration in the millions.
For the $2.00 notes the value is always questionable. The notes, although interesting looking, at this time must be in crisp Uncirculated condition. A 1976 $2.00 note is only worth up to $3.00.

The 1976 $2.00 federal Reserve Note is only collectable in Crisp Un-Circulated grade. except for a couple of replacement notes with a Star in the serial number.

I do not even know anyone buying the 1976 $2.00 notes in circulated grades.

If you have the First Day of Issue stamp sets you may find added value with a stamp collector .
A lot of these bills with the then NEW DESIGN were stamped with the first day of issue, With the new stamp issue. The Post office still sells First Day Covers (FDC)as they are called this way.

The new stamp issue would be put on the newly issued  bill or coin holder, and then canceled with a special U.S. Postal Service cancellation Stamp, over the stamp with the date of issue being part of the cancellation stamp. Of course the cancellation stamp is only used that one day.  

They are collectable, You might even have the Fort Worth issued bills. They may be a little more collectable than others.

The current value for a first day stamp issue is still low, probably less than $5.00 each. The importance of this
collectable, is the DATE on the postal CANCELATION STAMP. It is used for the first day of either the stamp or the note was issued and then destroyed by the postal service.

These are popular with Stamp collectors and are a cross-collectable with currency collectors.

The dealer buy price will still be low, there are many of the items compared to the number of people that collect them in any one location. A dealer might still give you only from $3 to $5 dollars at this time. That is why I think holding on to it is a good idea. Your small investment  (probably 3 to 4 dollars)  will be a rarer and more historical possession for someone in the future.

I hope ad the Information helps.

Sorry if this was not what you are asking just write me again.

Thank You and Good Luck

PapaJack