You know that moment when you pull out a crumpled twenty from your wallet while buying coffee, and suddenly wonder: who is that stern-looking guy staring back at me? Happened to me just last Tuesday at Dunkin'. That simple question - who's on the twenty dollar bill - opens up this wild rabbit hole of American history, politics, and even some controversy.
Let me walk you through everything about the face on that green note in your pocket. And trust me, there's way more to this story than you learned in school. We'll cover the current portrait, the planned redesign, why it matters, and even settle debates you've probably had with friends.
The Man in Your Wallet Right Now
Flip out a $20 bill right this second (go ahead, I'll wait), and you'll see the seventh U.S. president glaring up at you: Andrew Jackson. Kinda ironic when you think about it - this guy hated paper money with a passion. Yeah, he actually called banks "vipers" and preferred gold coins. Life's funny that way.
Why Jackson Made the Cut
Jackson landed on the $20 bill way back in 1928, replacing Grover Cleveland. The Treasury Department's reasons:
- War Hero Status: His victory at the Battle of New Orleans made him crazy popular
- Populist Image: Positioned himself as the people's president against elites
- Financial Legacy: Killed the Second Bank of the United States (though honestly, that move arguably triggered a massive recession)
Here's what most folks don't realize about Jackson's tenure:
| Aspect | Reality Check |
|---|---|
| Indian Removal Act | Forcibly relocated 60,000 Native Americans (Trail of Tears) |
| Slave Ownership | Had over 150 slaves at Hermitage plantation |
| Economic Policy | Caused the Panic of 1837 by killing the national bank |
| Personality | Hot-tempered duelist who carried bullets in his body |
Kinda makes you look at that twenty differently, doesn't it? Personally, I've always found it weird we celebrate someone who defied Supreme Court orders regarding Native rights. But history's complicated like that.
The Game-Changing Redesign
Remember the viral social media campaign around 2015? WomenOn20s started pushing to get a female face on paper currency. The Treasury Department actually listened! In 2016, they announced something huge: Harriet Tubman would replace Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill.
Why Tubman?
This wasn't random selection. Tubman was chosen because:
- Escaped slavery then made 13 rescue missions freeing 70+ people
- Served as Union spy and nurse during Civil War
- Later fought for women's suffrage
- Represented courage and freedom (unlike Jackson's complicated legacy)
I visited the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center last fall - seeing her story up close gave me chills. This woman carried a revolver and threatened to shoot escapees who lost nerve. Total badass.
The Political Football Game
Here's where things get messy. The redesign timeline:
| Year | Development | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Original announcement (Obama administration) | Planned for 2020 release |
| 2017 | Trump delays it calling it "pure political correctness" | Put on indefinite hold |
| 2021 | Biden administration revives the plan | Targeting 2030 release |
| 2023 | Treasury shares early design concepts | Jackson moves to back, Tubman front |
Honestly? The constant delays frustrate me. It's been nearly a decade since the announcement. At this rate, my toddler might be in college before she sees the new bill.
Why This Money Drama Matters
Some folks ask: "Who cares who's on the twenty dollar bill? It's just paper." But currency tells our national story. Think about it:
- Every time you tip a server or pay the plumber, you're handling symbols of national values
- Over 9 billion $20 bills circulate worldwide - that's powerful visibility
- Currency redesigns force conversations about who we honor as a society
My barber Carlos nailed it last week: "Money talks, but faces on money talk louder." Deep stuff while getting a fade.
Faces Across Federal Reserve Notes
Wondering who's on the twenty dollar bill made me research other denominations. Check this comparison:
| Bill | Current Portrait | Since | Controversies |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1 | George Washington | 1869 | Nearly replaced by Reagan in 1980s |
| $5 | Abraham Lincoln | 1914 | Back shows MLK? (Common myth) |
| $10 | Alexander Hamilton | 1929 | Saved from replacement by Broadway musical |
| $20 | Andrew Jackson | 1928 | Tubman replacement planned |
| $50 | Ulysses S. Grant | 1914 | Ronald Reagan proposals surface occasionally |
| $100 | Benjamin Franklin | 1914 | Non-president; inventor/statesman |
Notice something? Until Tubman's redesign, Martha Washington was the only woman ever featured on U.S. paper currency (on $1 silver certificates in the 1890s). Kinda shocking for 2024.
Your Burning Questions Answered
When will the new $20 bill with Tubman come out?
The Treasury's current timeline estimates 2030 - mainly due to anti-counterfeiting tech upgrades. Security features always get prioritized over design changes. I know, still feels forever away.
Will Andrew Jackson disappear completely?
Nope! Latest designs show Jackson moved to the back alongside the White House. Kinda like a demotion but still on the team. Smart compromise if you ask me.
Why not create a new denomination instead?
Treasury considered it ($25 or $500 bills were floated), but logistics are nightmares. Vending machines, ATMs, cash registers - all would need recalibration. Easier to replace existing portraits.
Are there other women being considered?
When choosing who's on the twenty dollar bill, finalists included Eleanor Roosevelt, Rosa Parks, and Cherokee Chief Wilma Mankiller. Tubman won the public vote decisively.
Can I spend older bills when new ones release?
Absolutely! All U.S. currency remains legal tender regardless of design. Your old Jacksons will spend just fine decades from now. (Collectors might pay extra though!)
Why does the $20 get all the attention?
Statistically it's the most counterfeited U.S. bill internationally. Also the most dispensed by ATMs. We interact with twenties more than any other denomination except maybe singles.
Collector Corner: Valuable $20 Bills
Since we're talking twenties, here are rare versions worth hunting for:
- 1928 Gold Certificate: Literally says "Twenty Dollars in Gold Coin" (worth $500-$5,000+)
- 1950 "Chicago" Note: Star after serial number + Federal Reserve seal (valued up to $300)
- 1996 Misprint: Off-center or inverted seals (varies widely based on error)
- 2017 Replica Bills: Movie prop money sometimes circulates accidentally (collector curiosity)
Pro tip: Check serial numbers! Low numbers (especially under 100) or solid repeats (77777777) can add serious value. Found a binary serial (only 1s and 0s) last year that paid for my vacation!
Beyond the Portrait: Hidden Symbols
While researching who's on the twenty dollar bill, I stumbled on fascinating hidden details:
| Element | Location | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Eagle | Top right (front) | National emblem since 1782 |
| White House | Back (center) | Jackson lived there 1829-1837 |
| Green Ink | All over | Anti-counterfeiting measure since Civil War |
| Microprinting | Coat collar | "USA20" repeated (need magnifier!) |
| Security Thread | Left of portrait | Glows green under UV light |
Next time you've got a twenty, hold it to light - see that plastic strip running vertically? That's the security thread woven into the paper. Pretty genius engineering actually.
Global Money Comparison
Curious how other countries handle their currency portraits? You might be surprised:
- UK £20: Features artist J.M.W. Turner (rotates historical figures)
- Canada $20:
Queen Elizabeth II (now transitioning to King Charles) Euro €20: Fictional bridges and windows (avoid nationality debates) Australia $20: Businesswoman Mary Reibey + medic John Flynn Mexico $20: Historic president Benito Juárez Notice how many feature multiple people or avoid politicians entirely? Makes you wonder if the U.S. should consider co-portraits. Roosevelt and Eleanor sharing a bill? Now there's an idea.
Why Future Generations Might See This Differently
Here's what keeps me up at night: Physical cash usage dropped 30% since 2019. With crypto and digital payments rising, will anyone care who's on the twenty dollar bill in 2050?
Maybe not. But symbols endure. That Tubman bill represents more than currency - it's about whose stories we elevate. When my daughter finally gets one, I'll tell her about the woman who couldn't read but outsmarted slave catchers using the stars. Now that's American history worth carrying in your wallet.
Final thought? Next time someone asks who's on the twenty dollar bill, you've got way more to say than "some dead president." You're holding a debate about memory, values, and progress - all folded up behind some gum receipts.
Leave a Comments