Whose picture is on a $2 bill?

The statesman featured on the front of the two-dollar bill is one of America's most influential Founding Fathers. As the third U.S. President and the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, his portrait was first placed on the note in 1869. The current, smaller-sized version of the bill featuring his familiar portrait was first printed in 1928, cementing his place in the pockets and collections of Americans for nearly a century.

The reverse side of the bill is just as historic, featuring a detailed engraving of the John Trumbull painting, "Declaration of Independence." A common misconception is that the image depicts the signing of the document. Instead, it shows the five-man drafting committee, which included Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin, presenting their completed draft to the Second Continental Congress. This iconic scene directly honors Jefferson's most celebrated contribution to the nation's founding.

While many people believe the $2 bill is rare or no longer in production, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing continues to print them. The bill was notably reissued in 1976 to celebrate the nation's Bicentennial, which helped boost its circulation. However, because they are printed less frequently than other denominations and many people tend to save them as novelties, they remain an uncommon but perfectly valid form of U.S. currency.