Thomas Jefferson is known for his notes (on the State of Virginia), his declaration (of Independence), and his statutes (on religious freedom), but the Architect from Albemarle is lesser known for his bills (of the two-dollar variety).
The current $2 bill features Thomas Jefferson’s engraved portrait on the front and the famous John Trumbull painting of the Declaration of Independence on the back (Jefferson is in the rare company of Presidents whose image graces both dollar and coin U.S. Currency that is in regular circulation – not coutning the special Presidential dollar coins here. Washington and Lincoln are the other two – appearing on the 25 cent coin/dollar bill and the penny/$5 bill, respectively). the $2 bill is also the only dollar currency to feature two Presidents on it (John Adams also appears on the back of the bill in the Trumbull engraving).
The $2 bill is relatively rare (unless you’re receiving change at Monticello) - less than 1% of all currency made are $2 bills.
In one of history’s little ironies, Jefferson’s fellow Founding Father and political/ideological adversary, Alexander Hamilton’s portrait graced the very first $2 bill printed in 1861. Jefferson’s image replaced Hamilton in 1869.
When dollar currency was shrunk down to its current size in 1929, Monticello was featured on the back of the bill. Trumbull’s painting replaced it in 1976.
People are apparently quite superstitious about the $2 bill. Check out Snopes for the details.
Source: Wikipedia
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