United States twenty-dollar bill

United States twenty-dollar bill. The United States twenty-dollar bill is a current denomination of U.S. currency. Featuring a portrait of Andrew Jackson on the obverse and the White House on the reverse, it is one of the most widely circulated banknotes. The note has undergone numerous design changes throughout its history, incorporating advanced security features to prevent fraud.

History

The first $20 United States Note was issued in 1861 during the American Civil War to help finance the Union war effort. Early designs featured allegorical figures like Liberty and portraits of various statesmen, including Alexander Hamilton. The modern design, standardized with the 1928 Series, settled on Andrew Jackson for the obverse, replacing Grover Cleveland. This series also introduced the familiar green and black color scheme and reduced the physical size of all notes. Throughout the 20th century, the bill's design was periodically updated, with significant changes occurring in 1998 with the introduction of the 1996 series and again in 2003.

Design

The obverse of the current note centers on a portrait of the seventh President of the United States, Andrew Jackson, based on a painting by John G. Chapin. To the left of the portrait is a green Treasury Seal, and to the right are the Federal Reserve district indicators and a green serial number. The reverse features a detailed depiction of the north front of the White House, as seen from Lafayette Square. The note prominently displays the captions "In God We Trust" and "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA." The dominant colors are black and various shades of green, peach, and blue, with subtle background colors introduced in the 2004 redesign.

Security features

Modern $20 bills incorporate multiple sophisticated security features to deter counterfeiting. These include a vertical 3D security thread woven into the paper to the left of the portrait that glows green under UV light and displays the numeral "20" and a small flag. A color-shifting ink is used for the numeral "20" in the lower right corner, changing from copper to green when tilted. Additional features are a portrait watermark of Jackson visible when held to light, microprinted text around the portrait and on the security thread, and fine-line printing patterns that are difficult to replicate. The Federal Reserve System and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing continuously research new technologies.

Production and circulation

All U.S. currency is produced by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, a bureau of the Department of the Treasury. The notes are printed on a unique blend of 75% cotton and 25% linen paper. The $20 bill is among the most produced denominations, with billions in circulation. After printing, new notes are distributed to the twelve regional Federal Reserve Banks, which then supply them to commercial banks. Worn or damaged notes are removed from circulation by the Federal Reserve System and destroyed, typically by shredding. The lifespan of a $20 bill is approximately 7.8 years according to Federal Reserve data.

Use in commerce

The twenty-dollar bill is a workhorse of everyday commerce in the United States, commonly dispensed by ATMs and used for a wide variety of transactions. It is a standard denomination for cash payments in retail, hospitality, and service industries. Its widespread use makes it a frequent target for counterfeiters, necessitating its advanced security features. The bill also plays a significant role in the informal economy and is often referenced in American popular culture, from phrases like "Double sawbuck" to its depiction in films and music.

Planned redesign (Tubman)

In 2016, the Treasury Department announced plans to feature Harriet Tubman on the obverse of a redesigned $20 bill, moving the portrait of Andrew Jackson to the reverse. This decision followed a public campaign and was championed by then-Secretary of the Treasury Jack Lew. The new design was initially scheduled for a 2020 reveal to coincide with the centennial of the 19th Amendment. However, the administration of President Donald Trump delayed the project. In 2021, the Biden administration revived the effort, with Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen expressing support. A final design and release timeline are pending further review by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and the Secret Service. Category:United States banknotes Category:20 (number)