You’re standing at a busy register. The line is long. Someone hands you a twenty, and it feels... off. Not "fake" necessarily, but maybe too smooth? Or too stiff? You don't want to be that person holding it up to the light like a detective in a bad movie, but you also don't want to lose twenty bucks to a scammer. Most people think they know how to tell if a 20 dollar bill is real, but they usually rely on that little yellow marker. Honestly? Those pens are kind of useless against high-end "bleached" bills.
Counterfeiting has gone high-tech. But the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing is also pretty smart. They’ve tucked away specific, physical details that are nearly impossible to replicate with a standard printer or even a high-end offset press. It’s all about the paper—which isn't even paper, by the way—and some very clever chemistry.
The Feel of the Bill is Your First Clue
Real money isn't made of wood pulp. It’s 75% cotton and 25% linen. That’s why a twenty doesn't turn into a ball of mush if you accidentally leave it in your jeans during a heavy wash cycle. It’s got a "snap" to it. If you grab a fresh bill and snap it between your hands, it should have a crisp, distinctive ring. Fakes often feel greasy, overly smooth, or just like standard printer paper because, well, that's what they are.
Run Your Fingernail Over Andrew Jackson
One of the coolest features of a genuine $20 note is the raised printing. This is known as intaglio printing. If you run your fingernail along the shoulder of Andrew Jackson’s portrait, or along the "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" text, you should feel a distinct ridge. It’s tactile. Most counterfeiters use inkjet printers which lay the ink flat. If the bill feels as smooth as a page from a magazine, you’ve probably got a problem.
There’s a specific depth to these ridges. It’s not just "bumpy." It’s precise. The portrait itself should stand out from the background, looking sharp and lifelike. On a fake, the eyes often look muddy or flat. Jackson looks bored on a real bill; he looks like a blurry ghost on a bad fake.
Why the Security Thread is the "Gold Standard"
If you’re wondering how to tell if a 20 dollar bill is real under pressure, hold it up to a light. Any light. Your phone’s flashlight, a window, or the overhead fluorescents. You’re looking for the security thread. This is a thin, vertical strip embedded inside the paper, not printed on it.
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On a $20 bill, this strip is located to the left of the portrait. It should say "USA TWENTY" and have a small flag. Here’s the kicker: it’s visible from both sides. If you’re really suspicious, get a UV light. Under ultraviolet light, the $20 security strip glows bright green. If it glows blue, it might be a $5. If it doesn't glow at all? It's fake. Scammers sometimes bleach $5 bills and print $20 designs over them so the paper feels "real," but they can't change the location or the color of that glowing strip.
The Color-Shifting Ink Trick
Look at the number "20" in the bottom right corner on the front of the bill. It’s not just green. It’s what they call "optically variable ink."
Tilt the bill back and forth.
Watch the color.
It should shift from copper/gold to green.
This is expensive ink. It’s proprietary. Counterfeiters have a really hard time matching the "flip" of the color. Often, they’ll use glittery paint or a static green ink that just stays one color regardless of the angle. If that "20" doesn't clearly change color as you move it, give it back. It’s a dud.
The Ghostly Watermark
While you’ve got the bill held up to the light for the security thread, look at the blank space on the right side of the portrait. There should be a faint, "ghost" image of Andrew Jackson. This is the watermark.
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It’s built into the paper fibers.
It shouldn't look like it was drawn on with a marker.
It should be subtle.
A common mistake people make is thinking the watermark should be a perfect, dark image. It's actually quite delicate. If the watermark is visible without holding it up to the light—like it's just sitting on the surface—that’s a huge red flag. That means it was likely printed onto the surface of the paper rather than being part of the paper-making process.
Microprinting: The "Hidden" Details
You might need a magnifying glass for this, or just really good eyes. The U.S. Treasury hides tiny words in places you’d never think to look. On the $20 bill, you can find "USA20" along the border of the first three letters of the "TWENTY USA" ribbon to the right of the portrait. You can also find "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 20 USA 20" printed in the black border below the Treasurer's signature.
To a standard copier, these tiny letters just look like a blurry line. On a real bill, they are sharp, clear, and perfectly readable under magnification. It’s these tiny "flexes" of manufacturing power that keep the currency secure.
The Trouble With the Counterfeit Pen
We’ve all seen it. The clerk swipes a yellow marker across the bill. If it stays yellow, it’s "real." If it turns black or brown, it’s "fake."
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But here’s the truth: those pens only react to starch. Standard wood-based paper has starch; the cotton-linen blend used for U.S. currency does not. If a counterfeiter uses high-quality "starch-free" paper, or if they’ve bleached a real $1 or $5 bill to print a $20 on it, the pen will stay yellow. It gives you a false sense of security. Never rely on the pen alone. Rely on the physical security features that require a specialized printing press to create.
What to Do if You Find a Fake
It sucks. If you realize you have a counterfeit bill, you can’t just go to the bank and "trade it in" for a real one. They will confiscate it, and you’ll be out twenty bucks. That’s the harsh reality.
However, passing a fake bill—even if you didn't make it—is a crime if you do it knowingly. If you suspect a bill is counterfeit, the official advice from the U.S. Secret Service is to:
- Do not put yourself in danger. If someone hands you a fake, don't try to tackle them.
- Observe the person’s appearance and any companions.
- Note their vehicle's license plate if possible.
- Contact your local police department or the nearest U.S. Secret Service field office.
- Write your initials and the date on the white border area of the bill.
- Handle the bill as little as possible to preserve any fingerprints.
It feels like a hassle, but it helps the Treasury track where these fakes are coming from. Usually, they come in batches. If a local coffee shop gets three fakes in one day, the Secret Service can actually use that data to find the source.
Quick Summary for Next Time
The next time a twenty feels "weird," don't panic. Just do a quick 3-second check. Feel the jacket for ridges. Tilt it to see the "20" change from copper to green. Hold it to the light to see Andrew Jackson’s ghost and the green security strip.
If all three of those things are there—the raised ink, the color shift, and the embedded thread—you are almost certainly holding the real deal. Most fakes fail at least two of those tests. Keeping your eyes peeled doesn't just save you twenty dollars; it keeps the whole system a little bit more honest.
Actionable Steps for Business Owners
- Train your staff to look for the color-shifting ink and the security thread instead of relying solely on pens.
- Invest in a small UV light near the register; it's the fastest way to verify the green glow of the security strip on a $20.
- Keep a "reference" bill in the drawer (one you know is real) to compare textures if someone hands you a suspicious note.
- Check the serial numbers if someone pays with multiple twenties; counterfeiters often print the same serial number on an entire "sheet" of fakes.