You pull a twenty out of your wallet to pay for a coffee and there he is. That wild, wind-swept hair and the intense, slightly scowling stare of a man who looks like he’s about to start a duel in the middle of a Starbucks. It's Andrew Jackson, the seventh President of the United States.
He’s been there for nearly a century. Since 1928, to be exact.
But if you’ve been following the news over the last decade, you might be a little confused. Didn't they say he was being replaced? Wasn't Harriet Tubman supposed to be the face of the twenty by now? Honestly, the timeline of the U.S. Treasury's "redesign" has become one of those bureaucratic sagas that feels like it’s never going to end.
The Short Answer
Yes, Andrew Jackson is still on the 20 dollar bill. If you go to an ATM right now, Jackson is the face you’re going to see. Despite years of high-profile announcements and political tug-of-wars, the physical cash in circulation hasn't changed yet.
Why Andrew Jackson is Still on the 20 Dollar Bill
It’s been ten years since the Obama administration first announced that Harriet Tubman would be taking the prime spot on the $20. So, why the holdup?
Basically, it’s a mix of high-stakes security and shifting political winds. Designing a new bill isn't just about printing a new picture on a piece of paper. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) treats these redesigns like a technological arms race against counterfeiters.
The current schedule—reaffirmed by the Treasury Department as recently as last year—puts the Harriet Tubman $20 bill release date at 2030.
Why so long? Well, the Treasury actually prioritizes bills based on how often they are faked. The $10 bill is actually next in line for a 2026 release, followed by the $5 in 2028. The $20 is the big one, and they claim the security features required for it are incredibly complex.
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Of course, politics plays a massive role. The Trump administration famously paused the project, with former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin pushing the date back, citing technical reasons. When the Biden administration took over, they pledged to "speed it up," but the reality of government timelines means we are still looking at the turn of the decade before Jackson officially loses his front-row seat.
The Massive Irony of Jackson’s Presence
There is a weird historical joke here that most people don't realize. Andrew Jackson actually hated paper money. Like, really hated it.
He spent a huge chunk of his presidency fighting the Second Bank of the United States. He thought a national bank and paper currency were tools for the elite to screw over the "common man." He preferred "hard money"—gold and silver.
So, putting his face on one of the most widely circulated paper notes in human history is a bit like putting an outspoken vegan on a steakhouse billboard. It’s a historical irony that keeps historians laughing (or crying) every time they pay for lunch.
The Controversy Behind the Face
The push to remove Jackson isn't just about making room for a woman or a person of color, though that's a huge part of the conversation. It’s about Jackson’s specific legacy.
- The Trail of Tears: Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act of 1830. This led to the forced relocation of tens of thousands of Native Americans, resulting in thousands of deaths.
- Enslavement: He was a wealthy planter who owned hundreds of enslaved people throughout his life and was known for being particularly brutal in his pursuit of runaways.
- Executive Power: He was the first president to use the veto power as a political weapon rather than just a constitutional check, earning him the nickname "King Andrew the First" from his enemies.
What the New $20 Will Actually Look Like
When the change finally happens, it won't be a total erasure.
The plan—at least the one currently on the books—is for Harriet Tubman to move to the front (the obverse) of the bill. Jackson isn't leaving the currency entirely; he’s expected to be moved to the back, likely featured in a smaller capacity alongside an image of the White House.
Tubman was chosen after a massive grassroots campaign called "Women on 20s." She beat out other heavyweights like Eleanor Roosevelt and Rosa Parks in a public poll. As a leader of the Underground Railroad and a Union spy, her story is seen by many as a more fitting representation of American "freedom" than Jackson’s.
Will It Actually Happen in 2030?
Honestly? It depends on who is in the White House and the Treasury Department over the next few years.
While the 2030 date is the "official" word from the Treasury, currency design is a slow-moving target. We’ve seen dates slip before. However, the pressure is mounting. Most other major countries update their currency every decade or so. The U.S. is increasingly looking like an outlier by keeping the same portraits for nearly a century.
Actionable Insights for You:
- Check your 2026 notes: The new $10 bill is scheduled to debut this year (2026). While it keeps Alexander Hamilton on the front, the back is expected to feature leaders of the suffrage movement. It’s a good preview of how the Treasury handles these transitions.
- Keep an eye on the BEP: The Bureau of Engraving and Printing usually does a massive public awareness campaign about 18 months before a new bill drops. If you don't see posters in your local bank by 2028, the 2030 date for the $20 is likely sliding.
- Don't fall for "rare" 20s: There are "stamped" twenty-dollar bills circulating where people have hand-stamped Tubman’s face over Jackson’s. These are legal to use as long as the denomination is clear, but they aren't official government-issued notes.
The $20 bill is the workhorse of the American economy. Whether it features a controversial general or a legendary abolitionist, its value stays the same—but the story it tells about the country is clearly still being written.
Next Steps:
If you're interested in how the currency looks right now, you can visit the official U.S. Currency Education Program to see the security features of the current Jackson note. If you want to see the progress of the redesign, checking the Treasury’s annual "Banknote Redesign" status reports is the only way to get the facts straight from the source.