Depending on which state this is in, this tip is equivalent to between 10-20mins of their paid work. Maybe this is reductive of me, and certainly any $ amount

Depending on which state this is in, this tip is equivalent to between 10-20mins of their paid work. Maybe this is reductive of me, and certainly any $ amount is better than zero $, but I sort of feel like by putting a financial value on your compliment you are devaluing it. A super heartfelt "Thank you for giving a shit. You truly made my day and inspired me to have faith in humanity. I know your job is hard and noone expects you to go the extra mile, and I genuinely appreciate that you did" in your own words would be meaningful. A financial tip of significance (e.g. 20$ - several HOURS of worth) would also be meaningful. That 2-dollar bills and fifty-cent pieces are rare is going to interesting to some, but I think to most the only thing they'll perceive is that you valued their extra mile at $2.50. I don't think that's what you're intending, so I thought I'd offer that alternative perspective.