Why is a $50 Dollar Bill Unlucky?

The $50 bill has gained a reputation for bringing bad luck, especially in places like casinos and racetracks. Let‘s unravel the stories behind why the $50 came to be seen as an unlucky banknote.

The Legend of the Unlucky $50s

So where did the superstition around $50 bills originate? There are a few key origin stories:

• The $50 features former president Ulysses S. Grant, who went bankrupt. His financial ruin stained the bill.

• According to mob lore, hitmen buried victims with a $50 in their jacket after completing a murder.

• Racecar drivers like Little Joe Weatherly were found with $50s in their pockets after fatal crashes.

With roots in financial misfortune, crime, and accidental deaths, it‘s easy to see why the $50 bill became associated with bad outcomes and ill fortune! The power of superstition cemented its status as an "unlucky" banknote to avoid.

Why We Rarely See $50 Bills Today

Because of their perceived unluckiness, $50 bills are now rarely used in everyday transactions. This enhances their reputation as something suspicious or out-of-place. Some reasons we seldom encounter $50s:

• Retailers banning them – Many shops refuse $50s due to lack of change, fears of counterfeits, and association with crime.

• Low circulation – The Bureau of Engraving and Printing creates far fewer $50s than smaller denominations. $50s account for less than 5% of bills printed annually.

• Bank distribution – Banks rarely hand out $50s to customers withdrawing cash. They give $20s instead.

So with few circulating and even fewer in cash registers, the $50 takes on an air of mystery. Some even consider it suspiciously unlucky when one turns up! But others know certain $50 bills are valuable collectibles.

Why "Grant" and "Frog" Became Slang Terms

The $50 bill features an engraved portrait of Ulysses S. Grant, earning it the nickname "Grant." This is similar to how the $100 is called a "Benjamin" after Benjamin Franklin.

Within the mob underworld, the $50 was also referred to as a "frog" due to its green color. Mobster Bugsy Siegel was said to carry four "frogs" when assassinated in 1947. Finding a "frog" on a murder victim became bad news indeed.

As Robert McCrie writes in his economic crime analysis The History of Counterfeiting, "When the Mob left a $50 bill on the body of a contract hit victim, it was their signature."

So mob slang terms like "Grant" and "frog" reinforced the $50 bill‘s edgy and ominous associations in 20th century America.

The Collectible Value of Certain $50 Bills

While everyday circulated $50s have little worth above face value, some special $50 bills are highly prized by collectors and historians:

• Older series – $50 notes issued before the 1990s can sell for a premium. A 1950 series in uncirculated condition can fetch $175 or more.

• Star notes – These replacement bills have an asterisk by the serial number. Only 1 in 10,000 bills are star notes, adding to their rarity.

• Fancy serials – Certain patterns like binaries (11111111), zeros (00000000), and ladders (87654321) are in demand.

So while everyday $50 bills may seem like bad news, certain bills with unique attributes can be highly desired by collectors due to their exclusivity. It pays to check your $50s for rare serials!

The $50 vs. The $2 – Which is Rarer?

Believe it or not, the humble $2 bill is actually printed in smaller numbers than the $50 bill. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing produces fewer than 1% as many $2 bills compared to $1 bills in circulation.

Yet the $2 bill does not have any superstitions around it – it is just rarely used. This contrasts with the $50 bill and its unlucky mystique rooted in history, stories, and association with misfortune.

I‘ll admit I was surprised the first time I learned that $2 bills are rarer than $50s. It shows perceptions aren‘t always accurate when it comes to the relative scarcity of our paper currency. So next time you‘re handed a $2, consider yourself lucky to have one in your wallet!

Why Retailers Often Reject $50s and $100s

I discovered firsthand how shop owners frown on big bills when I tried to pay for a small purchase with a $100. The clerk politely asked if I had anything smaller. Why did I get some raised eyebrows for that Benjamin?

There are a few reasons retailers may refuse $50 and $100 bills:

• Counterfeiting – Clerks suspect very large bills could be fake. $50 and $100 counterfeits are more common than smaller denominations.

• Making change – Stores often lack enough smaller bills and coins to break large notes. This can drain their available cash on hand.

• Theft concerns – Some shops worry about robbers targeting registers stocked with big bills. So they minimize their on-hand $50 and $100 inventory.

According to the Federal Reserve, $50 and $100 notes account for 83% of the total value of cash in circulation. However, retailers‘ wariness means these bills don‘t get used for small everyday purchases. Unless you‘re making a large purchase, best to break your big notes for paying for coffee or groceries!

Final Thoughts on the $50 Bill Legend

In conclusion, the $50 bill‘s reputation as "unlucky" developed for some good reasons throughout its history. While most $50s in circulation hold little special value, their perceived rarity and notoriety give them an air of mystery and suspicion. Certain collectible $50 bills definitely break from this trend and are highly desirable for numismatists and hobbyists.

I‘ve learned to not take the superstitions too seriously, but also understand where the stories come from. The $50 bill‘s legend reflects the novelty and unease that large denominations can trigger in the minds of everyday Americans. And I must admit, finding a rare collectible $50 with a special serial number makes for a fun break from the norm!

So take your $50s with a grain of salt. While you probably won‘t be carrying too many around, keep an eye out for those monopoly-money serial numbers. You may have a particularly "lucky" Grant on your hands!