The Two Dollar Bill is Back

Full disclosure – I have a vegetable stand with an honor box.  Stories about the honor box and notes from people who have no cash (and IOU 75 cents) could take three pages.  I have noted that this year there is a small flood of two dollar bills, when I had not seen them before.  I get a Suzy B every once in a while, and often the ‘ashtray dump’ of a pile of small change, but never smiling Jeffersons (remember?).

So, as a curious mind wanting to know, I asked several local merchants (yes, bars) if they have been getting them as well, only to learn of a cascade from the local gentlemens’  clubs that is the source. How remarkable!  First, that they would abandon one dollar bills when making change for customers as an incentive to double the tips for the staff (can you imagine asking the lady for change for a two?)  but more remarkable that the effect from one small industry can move so broadly so fast.

Lest we forget, it was the adult internet entertainment industry that begat efficient online payment systems ten years ago.  I wonder what innovations are next?