Pull a twenty out of your wallet. Take a good look at it. Most of us just see the green paper we need to buy lunch or fill up a gas tank, but that face staring back at you—Andrew Jackson—has been the subject of more boardroom arguments and political fistfights than almost any other figure in American currency history.
It’s actually kinda weird when you think about it.
Jackson wasn't even the first person on the bill. Back in the 1860s, it was actually Alexander Hamilton. Yeah, the $10 bill guy. He was the original face 20 dollar bill owners saw during the Civil War era. Then, for a minute, we had Grover Cleveland. It wasn't until 1928 that Jackson took over the spot, and honestly, the reasons why are still a bit of a mystery. Some historians think it was just because he was popular at the time of the 100th anniversary of his election. Others find it hilarious and ironic because Jackson famously hated paper money and the central banking system. He would have probably been furious to know his face was being used to represent the very thing he tried to destroy.
The Problem With Andrew Jackson
Let’s be real: Jackson is a complicated dude. On one hand, he’s the "People’s President," the hero of the Battle of New Orleans, and a symbol of the American frontier spirit. On the other hand, his legacy is deeply scarred by the Indian Removal Act and the Trail of Tears. Because of that, there's been a massive push to swap him out for someone who represents a more inclusive version of American heroism.
Enter Harriet Tubman.
You’ve probably heard about the "Tubman Twenty" by now. The plan to put her on the face 20 dollar bill was officially announced by the Treasury Department back in 2016 under the Obama administration. It was supposed to happen by 2020 to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote. But, as with everything in Washington, things got messy. Politics, technical delays, and changes in leadership pushed the timeline back significantly.
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Why Harriet Tubman?
Tubman wasn't just a choice out of a hat. There was a huge grassroots movement called "Women on 20s" that conducted a massive online poll. Over 600,000 people voted. Tubman beat out heavy hitters like Eleanor Roosevelt, Rosa Parks, and Wilma Mankiller.
Think about her story for a second. Born into slavery, escaped to freedom, then went back thirteen times to rescue others. She was a scout, a spy, and a nurse for the Union Army. She’s the definition of "tough." Putting her on the most circulated bill in the country—the one people actually use every day—sends a pretty powerful message about what we value as a society.
Security Features You Probably Missed
While everyone is arguing about the portrait, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) is mostly worried about people in basements trying to print their own money. The current face 20 dollar bill design isn't just about aesthetics; it's a high-tech fortress of anti-counterfeiting measures.
If you hold a twenty up to the light, look to the right of the portrait. You’ll see a faint "watermark" of Andrew Jackson. It’s embedded in the paper, not printed on it. If you see a bill where the watermark looks like a different person (like Lincoln), someone bleached a five-dollar bill and printed a twenty over it. It happens more than you’d think.
Then there’s the security thread. It’s a thin vertical strip that glows green under UV light. It’s literally woven into the fibers.
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And don't forget the color-shifting ink. Look at the number "20" in the bottom right corner. Tilt it. It should change from copper to green. If it stays one color, you’re holding a piece of junk. These features are the reason why currency redesigns take forever. You can't just slap a new photo on there; you have to integrate all these microscopic security layers into the new portrait.
The Long Road to Redesign
So, where are we now? As of 2024 and heading into 2026, the Treasury Department has confirmed that the redesign is still "on track," but don't expect to see Harriet Tubman in your ATM withdrawals tomorrow. The current timeline suggests a reveal of the new design around 2030.
Why so long?
It’s not just the portrait. The BEP is also working on making the bills more accessible for the blind and visually impaired. This involves adding tactile features—raised bumps or textures—so someone can tell a twenty from a fifty just by feel. This is a huge deal for "lifestyle" accessibility, and it’s something the U.S. has been trailing behind on compared to other countries.
- The $10 bill is actually scheduled to be redesigned before the $20.
- The $50 follows after.
- The $20 is the most "technologically complex" because of its high circulation.
Basically, the $20 bill is the workhorse of the American economy. Because it’s handled so much, the paper (which is actually 75% cotton and 25% linen) has to be incredibly durable. The new face 20 dollar bill has to survive being washed in a pair of jeans, dropped in a gutter, and folded ten thousand times.
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What Most People Get Wrong About Currency
A lot of people think the President decides who goes on the money. Not exactly. By law, the Secretary of the Treasury is the one who makes the final call. There’s a whole committee involved, including historians, artists, and security experts.
Another common myth? That the people on our money have to be Presidents. Nope. Look at the $10 (Hamilton) and the $100 (Franklin). Neither were Presidents. The only actual legal requirement is that the person must be deceased. No living person can have their face on U.S. currency. It’s a rule designed to keep us from becoming a monarchy where a sitting leader puts their face on everything.
How to Spot a Fake Right Now
Since we're stuck with Jackson on the face 20 dollar bill for a few more years, you should probably know how to make sure yours is real.
- Feel the paper. Real money has a distinct texture. It’s slightly rough because of the "intaglio" printing process where the ink is pressed onto the paper.
- The Microprinting. Get a magnifying glass. Look at the border of the bill and around the portrait. You’ll see "USA TWENTY" printed in letters so small they look like a solid line to the naked eye.
- The "20" on the back. On the newer "Series 2004" bills and later, there are dozens of tiny yellow "20s" scattered across the back. This is part of the EURion constellation, which tells color photocopiers "Hey, don't copy this."
Why the Face Matters
Some might say, "Who cares? It's just money." But currency is a country's calling card. It’s the most widely distributed piece of art in the world. When a tourist visits the U.S., the first thing they see is the face 20 dollar bill they get at the airport. It tells a story about who we are and who we honor.
Transitioning from a man who signed the Indian Removal Act to a woman who led people to freedom is a massive symbolic shift. It represents an evolution in how we view the "American Dream." It's not just about spending power; it's about cultural power.
Actionable Steps for the Curious
If you’re interested in the history or the future of the twenty, there are a few things you can actually do rather than just waiting for the news:
- Check your "Series" year. Look at the small date next to the Secretary of the Treasury's signature. If you find a bill from 1990 or earlier, keep it. Those "small head" twenties are becoming rarer as the Fed shreds them and replaces them with the "big head" versions.
- Visit the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. If you're ever in D.C. or Fort Worth, Texas, take the tour. You can literally see millions of dollars being printed right in front of you. It’s one of the few free things left that’s actually worth the time.
- Follow the "Women on 20s" updates. While the official government timeline is slow, advocacy groups still track the progress of the Tubman redesign. They often release "mockup" designs that give a glimpse into what the future bill might actually look like.
- Verify your cash. If you work in retail or handle a lot of cash, buy a counterfeit detector pen. They aren't 100% foolproof—since they only react to the starch in wood-based paper—but they're a good first line of defense alongside the "feel" test.
The twenty-dollar bill is in a state of limbo. It’s a bridge between the old-school 19th-century history we’ve been staring at for nearly a hundred years and a more modern, inclusive future. Whether you're a fan of Jackson or ready for Tubman, that green slip of paper is about to undergo its biggest transformation in a century. Keep an eye on your wallet; the change is coming, even if it's taking the scenic route.