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Thomas Jefferson graces the front of the $2 bill, while the signing of the Declaration of Independence by John Trumbull is portrayed on the reverse side. You'll find pictures of the bill at the United States Bureau of Engraving and Printing, as well as a handy fact sheet regarding this little-seen but perfectly legal tender. The Continental Congress authorized $2 bills on June 25, 1776, as "bills of credit for the defense of America." Jefferson made his appearance on the note in 1928, and while earlier versions depicted Monticello on the reverse side, the Trumbull painting was introduced in 1976 for the Bicentennial. There are more than a billion dollars' worth of $2 bills out there. The Bureau itself churns out around 700 million dollars worth of cash per day, but 95% of those notes are used to replace tired money. It takes money to make money; paper bills cost a little over four cents to produce. You'll find all sorts of other goodies at the United States Bureau of Engraving and Printing, including facts about our new high-tech currency: security threads, microprinted words, and color-shifting ink, oh my!
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