You’ve held it a thousand times. Maybe you’ve used it to buy a round of drinks or tucked it into a birthday card. It’s the most frequently used note in American ATMs. But honestly, how often do you actually look at the face staring back? If you pull one out of your wallet right now, you’re looking at Andrew Jackson, the seventh President of the United States. He’s been there for nearly a century.
It’s a bit of a weird choice when you think about it.
Jackson famously hated paper money. He was a "hard money" guy who thought the banking system was a scam designed to screw over the common man. Putting his face on a piece of federal paper is basically the ultimate historical prank.
Why Andrew Jackson is on the twenty dollar bill anyway
He wasn't always the face of the twenty. Before 1928, the bill looked completely different. You might have found Grover Cleveland on there, or even Alexander Hamilton (who later moved to the ten). In 1928, the Treasury Department decided to standardize the look of U.S. currency. They shrank the physical size of the bills and picked a permanent lineup of presidents.
Why Jackson? The official records are surprisingly vague. Most historians believe he was chosen because he was a popular figure who symbolized the "everyman." He was the first president not born into the Virginia or Massachusetts elite. He was a war hero from the Battle of New Orleans. To the people in charge in the 1920s, he represented the rugged, frontier spirit of America.
But things are shifting. You’ve probably heard the news—or the rumors—that Jackson’s time is up.
The Harriet Tubman Transition
The biggest conversation regarding who is on the twenty dollar bill isn't about Jackson anymore; it’s about Harriet Tubman. In 2016, the Obama administration announced that Tubman, the heroic conductor of the Underground Railroad, would replace Jackson on the front of the bill.
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It was a massive deal. It would make her the first woman on federal paper currency in over a century. Martha Washington had a brief stint on a silver certificate in the late 1800s, but that’s ancient history.
Then, politics happened.
The redesign stalled under the Trump administration. Former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin cited technical security reasons for the delay, noting that the focus was on anti-counterfeiting measures for the $10 and $50 first. However, the Biden administration revived the project. As of 2026, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing is deep into the design phase.
What the new bill will actually look like
The current plan isn't to erase Jackson entirely. That's a common misconception. Instead, Harriet Tubman will take the prime real estate on the front of the note. Jackson will likely move to the back, perhaps featured in a scene depicting the White House or another historical monument.
Creating a new bill isn't just about slapping a new portrait on a template. It’s incredibly complex. We’re talking about high-speed printing, color-shifting ink, and 3D security ribbons. The Treasury has to make sure that "super-notes" (high-quality fakes) can’t be made by overseas cartels.
The Controversy Behind the Face
Jackson is a polarizing guy. To some, he’s the hero of the common man who took down the Second Bank of the United States. To others, he’s the man responsible for the Trail of Tears.
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The Indian Removal Act of 1830 is the darkest part of his legacy. It led to the forced displacement of thousands of Native Americans, resulting in mass death and suffering. This is why many people have advocated for his removal for decades. They argue that a person who caused such profound trauma shouldn't be the literal face of American commerce.
On the flip side, some historians argue that we shouldn't "erase" history. They point to his role in preserving the Union during the Nullification Crisis. It's a messy, complicated debate that touches on how we choose to remember our past.
Spotting a Real Twenty: More Than Just a Face
Whether it's Jackson or eventually Tubman, you need to know if the bill in your hand is worth twenty bucks or zero.
- The Watermark: Hold the bill to the light. You should see a faint image of Andrew Jackson in the blank space to the right of the portrait. If it's not there, or if it looks like a different person, you've got a problem.
- Color-Shifting Ink: Look at the number "20" in the bottom right corner. Tilt the bill back and forth. The color should change from copper to green. This is one of the hardest things for counterfeiters to get right.
- Security Thread: There’s a vertical strip embedded in the paper. It’s not printed on top; it’s inside. If you hold it to a UV light, that strip glows green. It also says "USA TWENTY" in tiny letters.
- Microprinting: If you have a magnifying glass, look at the border of the portrait. You’ll see "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 20 USA 20" repeated in text so small it looks like a solid line to the naked eye.
The Future of the Twenty
Physical cash is in a weird spot. With Apple Pay, Venmo, and crypto, some people rarely carry "Jacksons" anymore. Yet, the $20 bill remains the workhorse of the U.S. economy. There are billions of them in circulation worldwide.
The transition to Tubman is expected to reach the public’s hands toward the end of this decade. The 2030 series is the target. Until then, Andrew Jackson remains the answer to the question of who is on the twenty dollar bill.
It’s worth noting that currency reflects the values of the era in which it was designed. In 1928, we valued military conquest and populist politics above almost all else. In the 2020s, the focus has shifted toward inclusivity, civil rights, and a broader definition of American heroism.
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How to handle old or rare twenty dollar bills
Don't go spending every twenty you find without looking at it. Most are worth exactly $20. But some are worth way more.
If you find a bill with a "star" at the end of the serial number, that’s a replacement note. They are slightly rarer and collectors love them. Even better are "fancy" serial numbers—patterns like 12345678 or 00000001. Those can sell for hundreds or even thousands of dollars on the secondary market.
Also, check for "error notes." Sometimes the ink is smeared, or the cutting is off-center. In the world of numismatics (coin and bill collecting), a mistake by the government is a payday for you.
Actionable Steps for Your Wallet
If you want to stay ahead of the changes and ensure your money is secure, keep these points in mind:
- Audit your cash: Next time you get a $20 bill, check the color-shifting ink and the watermark. Familiarizing yourself with the "feel" of real cotton-linen paper is the best defense against fakes.
- Keep an eye on the Treasury: The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) releases updates on the "NextGen" currency program. Following their announcements will tell you exactly when the Harriet Tubman bills will begin appearing in circulation.
- Look for the "Series" date: On the front of the bill, you’ll see a year like "Series 2017" or "Series 2021." This isn't when the bill was printed, but when the design was first approved or when a new Treasury Secretary took office. It helps you track the history of the money in your pocket.
- Don't rush to trade in old bills: When the Tubman bill eventually drops, your old Jackson bills will still be legal tender. They won't expire. In fact, many people will likely save the last of the Jackson-front bills as historical keepsakes.
The twenty dollar bill is more than just money. It’s a tiny, rectangular canvas that tells the story of who we were and who we’re trying to become. Whether you're a fan of Old Hickory or ready for the change to Tubman, knowing the history makes that piece of paper feel a little more significant.