The face on the $20 bill is Andrew Jackson, the seventh U.S. president. He has appeared on the note since 1928.
The Treasury has confirmed a redesign that will feature Harriet Tubman on the front of a new $20 bill, with a release targeted for 2030. Jackson is expected to move to the reverse in that design.
Why is Andrew Jackson on the $20 Dollar Bill?
Jackson was a dominant figure of the early nineteenth century, famous and polarizing. His portrait was selected during a 1928 overhaul that standardized note sizes and reassigned portraits.
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Record and reputation: War of 1812 hero at New Orleans, two‑term president, champion of the “common man,” and a force in Democratic Party realignment.
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Policy impact: Fierce opponent of the Second Bank of the United States, a decision that shaped U.S. finance for decades.
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Controversy: Enslaver and architect of Indian Removal, including policies that led to the Trail of Tears. His presence on currency has long drawn criticism.
Why Will Harriet Tubman Replace Andrew Jackson on the $20 Bill?
Tubman’s selection recognizes a broader range of American leadership and sacrifice, especially by women and Black Americans.
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Who she was: Abolitionist, Underground Railroad conductor, Civil War scout and spy, and later a suffrage advocate.
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Public process: After years of public campaigns and Treasury review, Tubman was announced for the $20 front in 2016.
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What changes: The new note will elevate her story on the front of a high‑circulation denomination, while retaining advanced anti‑counterfeiting features.
The Roller Coaster Journey of Harriet Tubman’s Debut
Replacing Andrew Jackson with Harriet Tubman has moved in fits and starts. Treasury announced the change in 2016 under President Obama to honor Tubman’s role in American history.
The next administration slowed the project while citing security and production priorities, and the momentum returned in 2021 when the new administration told Treasury to move the redesign forward.
The current plan targets a public release around 2030, a reminder that what appears on money is never just decoration, it is a decision about which stories the country places in people’s hands.
What else does the 20-Dollar Bill Feature?
The $20 bill is more than just a monetary instrument; it’s a tapestry of American history and advanced security measures.
Front (Obverse)
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Portrait: Andrew Jackson, seventh president.
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Design elements: Microprinting, fine line engraving, raised intaglio printing, and background color to deter counterfeiting.
Back (Reverse)
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Main image: The White House in Washington, D.C.
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Inscriptions: “THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “TWENTY DOLLARS.”
Key security features on the current $20
Hold a $20 up to the light and let the note prove itself. Tilt it and look closely, you will see hidden marks, an embedded thread that lights under UV, and ink that flips color.
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Watermark: A faint portrait watermark, visible from both sides when held to light.
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Security thread: An embedded vertical thread that glows green under ultraviolet light and reads USA TWENTY.
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Color‑shifting ink: The numeral 20 in the lower right front changes from copper to green when tilted.
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Other features: Microprinting, fine‑line backgrounds, and a distinct paper blend of 75% cotton and 25% linen.
Historical Evolution of the $20 Bill
The $20 bill has shifted with the times, shrinking to today’s size, swapping portraits, layering in security, and now heading toward a Tubman front.
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Before 1928: Different sizes and a rotating cast of portraits and allegorical figures.
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1928 overhaul: Notes resized to today’s dimensions, Jackson moved to the $20, and designs standardized.
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Modern updates: Security upgrades arrived in the 1990s and 2000s, adding watermarks, threads, microprinting, and color‑shifting ink.
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Next step: A redesigned $20 with Harriet Tubman on the front is planned in line with the government’s anti‑counterfeiting schedule
