"Ugly Money"

As a paper money (and coin) collector, I occasionally encounter notes with stamps or writing on them.  I have many of these in my collection, while others, especially the hundred dollar bills, are returned to circulation.  In 2004, the term "ugly money" was coined when a burrito shop in North Carolina created a website for their circulation finds.  The Where's George Main Forum also has a long-running thread where people post their bank/circulation finds.

With that, I invite you to join this art gallery here, which was created on 2023-12-28 mainly for my own amusement, and hopefully yours as well.  There are a lot of $2 bills here; these tend to be graffiti magnets.  

Please click on the images themselves if you wish to view them enlarged.

This page was last updated on 2026-08-07.

100HB

A chopmark on a one is unusual.

Another chopmark.

This was captured in 2006.  Missbessies dot com was a website for a cookie company based in Virginia.  Supposedly you could bring back their stamped dollars and get a discount.

The stamp says "GREAT SOUTHERN BANK".

These "I GREW HEMP" stamps are common, and found on two dollar bills as well.

Bank stamp from Cuidad Juarez, Mexico

   This bill was captured in Sunnyvale CA in late 1994.

A bingo blotch.

Chopmark

Lee Noodle House in San Jose closed some years back; I couldn't find out when.

I should give this a try myself.  The odds are much better than PowerBall or MegaMillions!

According to the Google Boyz, this is from Ski Inn in Bombay Beach CA.  Further research shows that they collect and display stamped money, including two dollar bills.

This very same "MIKE" stamp has been reported on a one dollar bill found in Pittsburgh PA.

Fans of the Clemson Tigers football team are known for spending $2 bills with the Tiger Paw stamps on them when they're attending away games.  Usually the color is orange; this one is pink.

Dean and Bunny are local to Tucson.

Years ago, as in the 2005 timeframe, I would regularly encounter these "P" bills when I would buy straps of two dollar bills at the bank.  Obviously local to Tucson.

These "Spend Tom" bills originate from coastal California, and a few of them have found their way here.

I've had this one for many years.  My recollection is that I was living in San Jose when I got this.  That was over a quarter century ago.

The above is what we call a "Fred" bill.  Fred is a $2 bill and dollar coin enthusiast who is now living in Seal Beach CA.  He's sent out over half a million of these (yes, you read that right) over the years, starting in the 1979 time frame.  I've exchanged email with him before.  He's entered some on the Where's George website and has accordingly stamped that on the front.  

Hundred dollar bills often have "chop marks" stamped on them.  These are done by overseas merchants and currency change houses as a means of authentication, from what I've read.