The face gazing out from the United States twenty-dollar bill belongs to Andrew Jackson, the nation’s seventh president. In real terms, his portrait has occupied the center of the denomination since 1928, replacing Grover Cleveland during a major redesign of U. Now, s. Worth adding: currency. While the answer to the question is straightforward, the story behind why Jackson—a controversial figure known for his populist policies and forced removal of Native Americans—ended up on the $20 bill is layered with historical irony, political maneuvering, and an ongoing national debate about who deserves to be honored on American money.
The Current Face of the Twenty: Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson served as president from 1829 to 1837. But known as "Old Hickory" for his toughness, he positioned himself as a champion of the "common man" against entrenched political elites and financial institutions. His presidency was defined by the Bank War, a fierce battle to dismantle the Second Bank of the United States, which he viewed as a corrupt monopoly favoring the wealthy.
It is precisely this hostility toward central banking that makes his presence on a Federal Reserve Note deeply ironic. Worth adding: " He opposed paper currency issued by a central authority, preferring "hard money" (gold and silver). Jackson vetoed the re-charter of the national bank, withdrew federal deposits, and famously declared, "The bank is trying to kill me, but I will kill it.Yet, for nearly a century, his likeness has been the primary image on the most widely circulated denomination of the very central banking system he fought to destroy Surprisingly effective..
A History of the $20 Bill: Before Jackson
Before Jackson’s portrait was selected for the Series 1928 notes, the $20 bill featured a rotation of different figures. Understanding this history provides context for how permanent Jackson’s placement has become Nothing fancy..
- Grover Cleveland (1914–1928): The 22nd and 24th president appeared on the first Federal Reserve Note $20 bills issued in 1914. He was moved to the $1,000 bill in the 1928 redesign to make room for Jackson.
- Alexander Hamilton (1860s–1880s): The first Secretary of the Treasury appeared on early Legal Tender Notes and National Bank Notes.
- Stephen Decatur (1860s): The naval hero appeared on early Interest Bearing Notes.
- James Garfield (1880s): The assassinated president appeared on the 1882 Brown Back National Bank Notes.
- Hugh McCulloch (1900s): The Treasury Secretary appeared on 1902 National Bank Notes.
The decision to standardize portraits across denominations in 1928—placing Jackson on the $20—was part of an effort to reduce counterfeiting by making the currency more uniform and recognizable. A committee selected presidents for the lower denominations ($1 Washington, $2 Jefferson, $5 Lincoln, $10 Hamilton, $20 Jackson, $50 Grant, $100 Franklin), largely based on their historical stature at the time.
The Irony of the "Bank War" President
The placement of Jackson on the $20 bill is often cited as one of the great ironies of American numismatics. Jackson’s economic philosophy was rooted in hard money principles. And he distrusted paper money, speculation, and the concentration of financial power. His Specie Circular of 1836 required payment for government land to be in gold or silver, a policy that contributed to the Panic of 1837, a severe economic depression.
To have his portrait printed on billions of Federal Reserve Notes—fiat currency backed not by gold but by the "full faith and credit" of the government—would likely have horrified him. It represents the ultimate victory of the centralized financial system he spent his political career opposing. This irony is not lost on historians or economists, and it frequently fuels the argument that a different figure might be more appropriate for the denomination Less friction, more output..
The Harriet Tubman Redesign: A Long-Awaited Change
For over a decade, there has been a significant public campaign to replace Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill with Harriet Tubman, the abolitionist, Underground Railroad conductor, and Civil War spy. The movement gained formal traction in 2015 when the organization Women on 20s ran a public petition, garnering hundreds of thousands of votes That's the part that actually makes a difference..
The Obama Administration Announcement
In April 2016, Treasury Secretary Jack Lew announced a historic redesign. The plan was to move Jackson to the back of the bill (replacing the White House vignette) and place Harriet Tubman on the front, making her the first African American and the first woman in over a century to appear on circulating U.S. paper currency. The target release date was set for 2020, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote.
Delays and Setbacks
The timeline shifted significantly under the subsequent administration. In 2019, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced that the redesign would be delayed until 2028, citing technical reasons related to counterfeiting prevention and security features. He stated that the primary focus was on the $10 and $50 bills first. This decision sparked widespread criticism and accusations that the delay was politically motivated, given the previous administration's opposition to removing Jackson—a president he had publicly praised.
Renewed Momentum
Upon taking office in 2021, the Biden administration signaled a renewed commitment to the project. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki stated that the Treasury Department was "exploring ways to speed up" the effort. In 2022, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing confirmed that the design process was underway, though they maintained that the 2030 timeframe is the current realistic target for the new note to enter circulation.
The new design is expected to feature Tubman on the front and a depiction of Jackson (or perhaps a scene representing his presidency) on the reverse, alongside enhanced security features like a 3D security ribbon, color-shifting ink, and micro-printing No workaround needed..
Why Harriet Tubman?
The push for Tubman is about more than just adding diversity; it is about aligning the currency with the nation's evolving values.
- Symbol of Freedom: Tubman escaped slavery and risked her life repeatedly to guide approximately 70 enslaved people to freedom via the Underground Railroad. She represents liberty, courage, and self-determination.
- Civil War Service: She served as a scout, spy, and nurse for the Union Army, leading the Combahee River Raid which liberated over 700 enslaved people.
- Women’s Suffrage: In her later years, she worked alongside Susan B. Anthony and Emily Howland for women's voting rights.
- Contrast with Jackson: Replacing a president who owned enslaved people and signed the Indian Removal Act (leading to the Trail of Tears) with a formerly enslaved woman who fought for liberation creates a powerful narrative arc of American progress.
The Controversy Surrounding Andrew Jackson
The debate over the $20 bill is inseparable from the reassessment of Andrew Jackson’s legacy. While he was once celebrated as a democratizer who expanded suffrage to white men without property, modern historiography emphasizes the devastating consequences of his policies.
The Indian Removal Act (1830)
This is the darkest stain on Jackson’s record. The act authorized the forced relocation of the "Five Civilized Tribes" (Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole) from their ancestral homelands in the Southeast to territory
west of the Mississippi River. The subsequent "Trail of Tears" resulted in the deaths of thousands, cementing Jackson's legacy as a figure of immense controversy.
Economic Policy and the Bank War
Jackson's battle against the Second Bank of the United States, which he viewed as a monopoly favoring the wealthy, also remains contentious. While he championed the "common man," his veto of the bank's recharter and subsequent financial maneuvers contributed to the Panic of 1837, a severe economic depression The details matter here..
This complex legacy makes the $20 bill a potent symbol. The decision to feature Tubman is not merely an aesthetic change but a deliberate statement, acknowledging past injustices while elevating a figure who embodies the struggle for a more inclusive and just America.
Conclusion
The journey to feature Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill is a testament to the evolving nature of national symbolism. While the path has been long and politically fraught, the core of the debate transcends mere currency. Day to day, it reflects a national conversation about who we choose to honor and what values we wish to project to the world and to ourselves. The eventual release of the Tubman $20 note will be more than a new piece of paper; it will be a physical manifestation of an ongoing effort to reconcile the nation's history with its highest ideals, placing a champion of freedom at the very heart of American commerce That alone is useful..
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