Pull a twenty out of your wallet. Take a good look. That stern, slightly wild-haired man staring back at you is Andrew Jackson, the seventh President of the United States. He’s been the face of the double sawbuck since 1928, replacing Grover Cleveland.
It’s kind of ironic.
Jackson actually hated paper money. He was a "hard money" guy who thought gold and silver were the only things that should count as currency. He even dismantled the Second Bank of the United States because he thought the banking system was a corrupt engine of inequality. Now, his face is stuck on one of the most circulated pieces of paper in the world.
History is funny like that.
Why Andrew Jackson is on the $20 Bill (And Why He Might Not Be Much Longer)
Nobody is 100% sure why the Treasury Department chose Jackson for the $20 bill back in the late 1920s. There’s no surviving record that says, "Hey, let's put Old Hickory on the twenty because he deserves it." At the time, Jackson was seen as a symbol of the "common man." He was the first president who didn't come from the established elite of Virginia or Massachusetts. He was a brawler, a frontiersman, and a war hero from the Battle of New Orleans.
But times change.
Jackson’s legacy is complicated, to put it mildly. While he fought for the working class, he was also a wealthy enslaver. Most notably, he signed the Indian Removal Act of 1830. This led to the Trail of Tears, where thousands of Cherokee, Muscogee, Seminole, Chickasaw, and Choctaw people died during forced migrations. Because of this, there has been a massive push to remove him from the currency.
You’ve probably heard the rumors. In 2016, the Obama administration announced that Harriet Tubman—the legendary Underground Railroad conductor—would replace Jackson on the front of the $20 bill.
It hasn't happened yet.
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The process slowed down significantly during the Trump administration. Former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin suggested the delay was due to technical security requirements. Basically, it’s really hard to design a bill that counterfeiters can’t replicate. Then, the Biden administration revived the project, citing Tubman’s "unmatched" contribution to American democracy. Currently, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) is working on the redesign, with a tentative release date floating around 2030.
The Evolution of the Twenty
The $20 bill hasn't always looked like this. Before Jackson, we had Grover Cleveland. Before Cleveland, we had George Washington. In the late 1800s, the "Technicolor" notes featured things like the Battle of Lexington.
Modern bills are high-tech.
If you tilt your twenty, you’ll see the "20" in the bottom right corner shift from green to black. There's a vertical plastic strip embedded in the paper that glows green under UV light. It says "USA TWENTY" and has a little flag. There are also tiny "20"s printed in yellow in the background to prevent high-end photocopiers from making fakes. It’s called the EURion constellation.
The Harriet Tubman Transition: What's Actually Happening?
People get frustrated with the speed of government. Why does it take over a decade to change a picture?
It's not just about the portrait.
When the Treasury redesigns a bill, they have to account for "tactile features" to help the visually impaired. They have to test new ink. They have to ensure that every ATM from New York to Tokyo can read the new bill. According to the BEP, the $10 bill is actually next in line for a refresh (expected in 2026), followed by the $5, and then the $20.
The current plan isn't to erase Jackson entirely. The initial proposal suggested moving him to the back of the bill, perhaps alongside a depiction of the White House. This "compromise" doesn't sit well with everyone. Some argue that keeping Jackson on the bill at all is an insult to the people he persecuted. Others argue that removing him is "cancel culture" applied to 19th-century history.
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Regardless of where you stand, the $20 bill is the most "political" piece of paper in your pocket.
What You Didn't Know About the $20 Note
Did you know the average $20 bill lasts about 7.8 years?
It’s a workhorse. It’s the most common note dispensed by ATMs. Because it changes hands so often, it gets "laundered" (literally, in washing machines) and folded more than the $100 bill.
- The Paper: It isn't paper. It’s 75% cotton and 25% linen.
- The Secret Marks: Look at the "O"s in the "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA." There are microscopic "20"s there.
- The Life Cycle: Once a bill gets too ragged, the Federal Reserve shreds it. Sometimes, they sell the shredded "currency mulch" as souvenirs in gift shops.
The Controversy of Choice
So, who gets to decide who is on the $20 bill? Ultimately, it's the Secretary of the Treasury.
By law, the Secretary has the authority to choose the designs, but there’s one big rule: No living person can be on U.S. currency. We aren't a monarchy. We don't put current leaders on our coins or bills. This tradition started with George Washington, who reportedly turned down the offer because he thought it felt too much like the British Crown.
The push for Tubman came from a grassroots campaign called "Women on 20s." They held a massive online vote, and Tubman beat out candidates like Eleanor Roosevelt, Rosa Parks, and Wilma Mankiller. It was a clear signal that the public wanted a face that represented a different side of the American story.
Tubman was a spy for the Union. She was a nurse. She was a suffragist. Putting her on the twenty isn't just about diversity; it's about honoring someone who literally fought for the definition of "freedom" that the U.S. claims to represent.
How to Spot a Fake $20 Bill Right Now
Since Jackson is still the face of the bill for the foreseeable future, you should know how to tell if the one you’re holding is real. Counterfeiters love the twenty. It’s high enough value to be worth faking, but low enough that clerks don't always check it with the same scrutiny as a hundred.
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First, feel the paper. Real bills have "raised printing." If you run your fingernail across Jackson’s shoulder, it should feel rough. If it’s smooth, be suspicious.
Second, look for the watermark. Hold the bill up to a light. You should see a faint image of Andrew Jackson in the white space to the right of the portrait. It should be visible from both sides. If the watermark looks like a different person or is printed on the surface rather than embedded in it, it's a fake.
Third, check the security thread. It’s that thin strip we mentioned earlier. If you hold it to the light, you’ll see "USA TWENTY" and a small flag. It’s not just printed on the bill; it’s inside the paper.
Finally, look at the "20" in the corner. Does the color change? In the current Series 2004 designs, it shifts from copper to green. If the color stays the same no matter how you tilt it, someone is trying to pull a fast one on you.
Actionable Steps for the Curious
If you’re interested in the history or the future of the $20 bill, here is what you can actually do:
- Check your series date. Look at the small year printed near the portrait. You’ll likely see 2013, 2017, or 2017A. These tell you which Treasury Secretary’s signature is on the bill. It’s a fun way to see how long that specific piece of paper has been circulating.
- Visit the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. If you’re ever in D.C. or Fort Worth, take the tour. You can see the massive sheets of twenties being printed. It’s a wild experience to see millions of dollars just hanging out on a conveyor belt.
- Follow the redesign updates. Keep an eye on the official U.S. Currency Education Program. They provide the most accurate timelines for when the Harriet Tubman bill will actually hit the streets.
- Audit your cash. Next time you get change, do the "fingernail test" on Jackson’s coat. It’s a good habit to ensure you aren't accidentally carrying counterfeit notes, which can be confiscated by banks without reimbursement.
The twenty is more than just money. It's a tiny, linen-and-cotton battlefield where American history, politics, and security technology all collide. Whether you're a fan of Jackson’s "common man" populism or you're counting down the days until Tubman takes her rightful place, that green slip of paper remains one of the most powerful icons in the world.
Hold onto it. Spend it wisely. And maybe, just once, look at the tiny details that make it real.