Are these spendable?

KellenCoin

In going through someone’s collection, I came across these notes. There are 50 $2 bills, each with a stamp fixated on the upper right corner for each state. Are the bills still spendable? Or are they banished to being cheesy souvenirs until the end of time?

SeatedToners

I believe they are post marked for the first day of issue. I’ve actually gotten some in circulation that way from banks.

ifthevamzarockin

Don't spend em..... sell em.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=1976+2+two+dollar+bill+first+day+of+issue&_sacat=0&rt=nc&LH_Sold=1&LH_Complete=1

WinLoseWin

They are government money and they are spendable. And the postmarking was done by the government post office.

Did not look it up lately, but recall seeing some regularly bringing above face value on Ebay. Though it would have brought a better return if spent on silver, gold or coins at 1976 prices.

carabonnair

Check if Walt Ostromecki needs them. I know he collects them by different postmarks. [Yes, they are spendable.]

ifthevamzarockin

If you have all 50 states you may want to list them as a collection.
A quick search looks like you might have the only 50 state listing.

mannie gray

They usually go for $3-$4 each.

BillDugan1959

Years ago, I had quite a few of these in some transaction, where the stamp had been soaked off and only the postmark was still visible. There were no self adhesive stamps in 1976, only the traditional lick/wet kind, so the stamps probably soaked off easily.

Hemispherical

Sell ‘em or give as gifts.

Timbuk3

They are spendable, but I'd keep them !!!

Staircoins

Post them for sale as a set on the currency BST Board. They’ll move.

ricko

Certainly spendable.....but worth more on the collector market. Where did you get them? I always like to know 'the rest of the story'... Cheers, RickO

PipestonePete

It appears that they are consecutively numbered notes. Also, it would have made a very interesting set if they were all postmarked in the respective state shown on the postage stamp, but it looks like they were postmarked at the same facility in Vernonia, Oregon.

lkenefic

Yes, definitely spendable, but as others have suggested, you'll likely get more $$ if you put them up on ebay... especially since you'll be the only one with a full 50 state collection.

291fifth

Spendable ... yes. Worth trying to get a premium for ... no.

SaorAlba

I have some I picked up at a local bank for face value a few years ago. For the most part unless you live in the area where they were stamp cancelled they don't have a value over face.

joeykoins

Pretty cool, I think, don't spend, just admire the rarity! I've never seen these before.
They look as if all are from San Francisco,California? They also look consecutive? Any Stars?

BillDugan1959

Every Post Office in the U.S.A. was eligible to post mark these bills on 13 April 1976 (13 April being Thos. Jefferson's birthday). Not rare.

jmlanzaf

@291fifth said:
Spendable ... yes. Worth trying to get a premium for ... no.

Why would it be so hard to take the very picture he posted here, upload it to eBay and start the bidding at $150 for the lot? He'll get it or he won't, he can always spend it later. Who knows, maybe 2 people in Oregon run it up.

jmlanzaf

@BillDugan1959 said:
Every Post Office in the U.S.A. was eligible to post mark these bills on 13 April 1976 (13 April being Thos. Jefferson's birthday). Not rare.

True, but not every collector was clever enough to buy a brick of consecutively numbered notes and get one from each of 50 states. Someone may pay a premium for them.

BillDugan1959

@jmlanzaf said:

@BillDugan1959 said:
Every Post Office in the U.S.A. was eligible to post mark these bills on 13 April 1976 (13 April being Thos. Jefferson's birthday). Not rare.

True, but not every collector was clever enough to buy a brick of consecutively numbered notes and get one from each of 50 states. Someone may pay a premium for them.

IIRC, the $2 notes were new in the banks at that time (the redesigned reverse with engraving of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence was new for the Bicentennial), so obtaining consecutively numbered notes was no big deal. Most people who asked for more than one note at the bank got consecutively numbered notes. The state stamps were sold by the Post Offuces in sheets of fifty, one for each state, $6.50 for the sheet. So this was not super special, although not everybody used those specific stamps.

Finally, when you sell on eBay, a few transactions go amiss, so selling that way does have slightly more risk. I can see why some people would not bother.

jmlanzaf

@BillDugan1959 said:

@jmlanzaf said:

@BillDugan1959 said:
Every Post Office in the U.S.A. was eligible to post mark these bills on 13 April 1976 (13 April being Thos. Jefferson's birthday). Not rare.

True, but not every collector was clever enough to buy a brick of consecutively numbered notes and get one from each of 50 states. Someone may pay a premium for them.

IIRC, the $2 notes were new in the banks at that time (the redesigned reverse with engraving of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence was new for the Bicentennial), so obtaining consecutively numbered notes was no big deal. Most people who asked for more than one note at the bank got consecutively numbered notes. The state stamps were sold by the Post Offuces in sheets of fifty, one for each state, $6.50 for the sheet. So this was not super special, although not everybody used those specific stamps.

Finally, when you sell on eBay, a few transactions go amiss, so selling that way does have slightly more risk. I can see why some people would not bother.

I'm not disagreeing that these aren't common, but I've had hundreds of them over the years and I don't recall ever having a complete set of consecutive states. So, while not exactly rare, it may have some value.

Only the seller can decide if it is worth their time.

JBK

I got one myself back in the day. That day was the first day the 2s were available, so you went to the bank and got a 2 and then went to the post office to get a stamp, stick it on the bill, and have it postmarked.

Your 50 state set was an important project for someone back in 1976, so I'd try to sell it to someone who wants it for what it is. Its not a money thing, but a matter of trying to preserve the integrity of the collector's efforts.

ChrisH821

Those are cool!

291fifth

Put them on the BST and see if anyone will pay a premium for them. If they are willing to do so ... take the money and run!!!!!

Indulger

I acquired a set of those many years ago and sold them on the bay. Made some $$$ above face if I remember correctly.

mannie gray

Also of note (pun intended) is that if they are postmarked 4-13-76 that was the first day of issue and can be advertised as such.
I agree with @jmlanzaf that someone will pay a nice premium over face for them.
If I owned them I would ask $200.

jmlanzaf

@mannie gray said:
Also of note (pun intended) is that if they are postmarked 4-13-76 that was the first day of issue and can be advertised as such.
I agree with @jmlanzaf that someone will pay a nice premium over face for them.
If I owned them I would ask $200.

Greedy bastard. You must be a coin dealer

acloco

By chance, are these in numerical order as well?

jmlanzaf

Here ya go!

https://ebay.com/itm/2-DOLLARS-1976-FIRST-DAY-STAMP-CANCEL-US-STATE-FLAGS-SET-OF-50-VALUE-50-000/292850968618?_trkparms=ispr%3D1&hash=item442f47282a:g:qD4AAOSwxO9cCFh-:sc:USPSExpressMailLegalFlatRateEnvelope!14609!US!-1&enc=AQAEAAAB4BPxNw%2BVj6nta7CKEs3N0qUCP%2B7Qd5tHIN4jfMSoyp%2F%2FBahiV16CnGAOVn5PpC75fOajwqj14eBbo65Rx%2F9tjqB6MaP%2BfzpZITdrKk69L52yXdxevFEmRYSXe5UncVVXkNwoU2qUo60Dd66jLriO4V84Bb73Kqaqos2lTnjfG12mnI%2FRghm7lBcC3Uh4Of3IF%2FdJ82YLuSFhzmIX%2BJ9b6ptdtYRWCrMe2O9ngTPq7roRRLcRQdUpOSoBWDCXykeIyAu8tIOw3MtpJ4nGXU985Po6iKYqo9fM8yvctBTvgLyZKTRjLQslu2%2BDk3dPXpjMS5O5x5ro3rs%2FyWtrYumcSuKFSnF3S%2BL2WqFA71GjfjL3ZhXO%2BLVhEAAoNfE46mD%2F9fL18xxiBRAVEJaB1o35ZGDUP8kMyc7RnW9wGMbpRfkKHiTq1RAuko8yqlQWvp5MP5PwtguuD8hB6P3cO%2FRnji4QTfNJBP8dw4FLCKBMkiZ9BqYz0ZOAlClKzXd7j2iKbLoUhnitIoxKS1FeCo9crOW98zCqqUyMopstcA2NUl3SYhpFrhhdDFnjcoR8ZJB%2FN8C59pjSiy4YIgnhBrPAwuJVNaR5C2qeny0IcWIU%2Fc1%2FXo%2BVdCxcKuzpoP6z0gL%2Bhw%3D%3D&checksum=292850968618a5b670a922db42a6a3c70f21243f185e

ChrisH821

@jmlanzaf What a bargain at only $50k!

jmlanzaf

@ChrisH821 said:
@jmlanzaf What a bargain at only $50k!

LOL. It might be UNIQUE. I'm not sure anyone else bothered to get a set graded!

thebeav

That's gotta be over a grand in grading fees ......

Kkathyl

As long as you have 2 matching numbers visible they are spendable but agree with others suggests to see if a collector care to take them first. If your looking to just spend, go to your bank and deposit them first.

mannie gray

@jmlanzaf said:

@mannie gray said:
Also of note (pun intended) is that if they are postmarked 4-13-76 that was the first day of issue and can be advertised as such.
I agree with @jmlanzaf that someone will pay a nice premium over face for them.
If I owned them I would ask $200.

Greedy bastard. You must be a coin dealer

😆

jmlanzaf

@thebeav said:
That's gotta be over a grand in grading fees ......

maybe. Might be a bulk submitter. I'm not sure what the cheapest paper grading you can get is. For coins, you can get under $5

joeykoins

This thread has been active for 3 days now. Very surprised that the "Forum Police" hasn't chimed in concerning the topic?

JBK

@joeykoins said:
This thread has been active for 3 days now. Very surprised that the "Forum Police" hasn't chimed in concerning the topic?

It's simple math.

Banknotes + stamps = coins

amwldcoin

Any body ever seen these? I think I have a complete set of all the presidents. They are in nice plastic holders in a nice big fancy wood box!

joeykoins

Never seen? Once again, from San Francisco.

thebeav

I think those various 'President'notes are errors !