Who is on the 20 Dollar Bill? Andrew Jackson vs. Harriet Tubman History, Redesign Timeline & FAQs (2025 Update)

Alright, let's settle this. You're probably staring at a crumpled green note in your wallet right now, or maybe you just googled "who is on the 20 dollar bill" after a trivia question stumped you. Currently, as I write this, the face gazing back from the US twenty dollar bill is Andrew Jackson, the seventh President of the United States. His portrait has been the main feature since 1928. But here's the thing – and it's a big 'but' – that's all set to change, and the story behind it is way more interesting (and tangled) than just a name.

The Man on the Money: Andrew Jackson

So, who is on the 20 dollar bill today? Andrew Jackson. Why him? Honestly, the original reason feels a bit ironic now. When the US government overhauled its currency designs in the late 1920s, they aimed for a standardized look. Jackson got the $20 spot partly because he was a popular figure associated with the "common man" and westward expansion. His portrait replaced Grover Cleveland, who got bumped to the new $1000 bill (talk about inflation!).

Jackson's legacy is... complicated. On one hand:

• War Hero: Famous for the Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812.
• President (1829-1837): Championed himself as a defender of the average citizen against elite bankers and politicians.
• Populist Appeal: His inauguration party at the White House famously got so rowdy, he had to escape through a window. That anecdote still makes me chuckle.

On the *very* problematic other hand:

• Architect of the Trail of Tears: His fervent support for the Indian Removal Act of 1830 led directly to the forced, brutal relocation of tens of thousands of Native Americans from their ancestral lands in the Southeastern U.S. to areas west of the Mississippi River. Thousands died during the journey. It's a dark, indelible stain on his record and American history.
• Opponent of the National Bank: While he framed it as fighting elite corruption, his destruction of the Second Bank of the United States arguably contributed to financial instability.
• Slave Owner: Owned hundreds of enslaved people during his lifetime at his plantation, The Hermitage.

I visited The Hermitage years ago. Seeing the grandeur of the mansion juxtaposed with the stark, cramped slave quarters was incredibly sobering. It really drives home the contradictions of the man whose face is on our twenties.

Given this complex and deeply troubling legacy, especially regarding the Trail of Tears, many people have long questioned why Andrew Jackson remains the face of the $20 bill. Frankly, it feels increasingly out of step with modern values. That brings us to the big shake-up.

The Big Switch: Harriet Tubman and the Redesign

This is where the story of "who is on the 20 dollar bill" gets interesting. In 2016, under President Obama's Treasury Secretary, Jack Lew, a major announcement was made: Harriet Tubman would replace Andrew Jackson on the front of the $20 bill. Jackson wouldn't vanish entirely; he was slated to move to the back.

Why Tubman? Her story is one of extraordinary courage and defiance:

• Conductor on the Underground Railroad: Born into slavery herself, Tubman escaped and then risked her life repeatedly – an estimated 13 times – to guide around 70 enslaved people to freedom. She famously declared she "never lost a passenger." Imagine the sheer guts that took.
• Civil War Scout, Spy, and Nurse: She actively aided the Union Army.
• Suffragist: Fought for women's right to vote later in life.

Putting her on the $20 bill was seen as a powerful symbol of progress, recognizing the contributions of women and African Americans to American history in the most visible way possible – on the nation's currency.

Why the $20? Why Replace Jackson?

The choice of the $20 bill specifically wasn't random. It followed a public campaign led by organizations like "Women on 20s," which advocated for a woman to replace Andrew Jackson. The public vote they conducted overwhelmingly chose Harriet Tubman. The Treasury Department under Obama agreed, seeing Jackson's legacy, particularly the Trail of Tears, as incompatible with modern values of equality and justice. Frankly, after learning more about Jackson's role, it's hard to argue against the symbolic importance of the change.

Delays, Politics, and the Current Status

So, if Tubman won the vote in 2016 and the announcement was made, why am I still talking about Jackson being on the 20 dollar bill today? Well, this is where bureaucracy and politics hit the brakes.

• Administration Change (2017): The Trump administration, particularly Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, expressed less enthusiasm for the redesign. Mnuchin stated that security features were the priority for currency redesigns, not imagery changes. He delayed the project, pushing the unveiling date back significantly.
• Security Focus: While adding advanced anti-counterfeiting features *is* a valid concern (currency redesigns are complex and expensive), many saw this as an excuse to indefinitely postpone the Tubman bill. Critics argued the imagery redesign could proceed alongside security upgrades.
• Bureaucratic Slowdown: Large government projects often move slowly. Designing a new bill involves countless steps: conceptual art, engraving, testing for durability and machine readability, and massive printing logistics.

Here's a quick look at the timeline rollercoaster:

The delays have been frustrating, honestly. It feels like a no-brainer to honor Tubman, but the process has been mired in politics. Visiting the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center in Maryland a couple of years ago just reinforced how monumental her story is. She absolutely deserves that spot on the twenty.

Where Does the Redesign Stand Now?

Under the Biden administration, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen reaffirmed support for placing Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill. Work has actively resumed. However, the timeline remains lengthy. Current estimates suggest we might not see the new Tubman $20 bill enter circulation until the mid-to-late 2030s. The complexity of integrating cutting-edge security features is the primary driver of this timeline now.

So, to answer "who is on the 20 dollar bill" definitively for today: Andrew Jackson remains the face on the current $20 bill. Harriet Tubman is the officially designated successor, but you won't find her portrait in your wallet just yet. Patience is required, unfortunately.

Beyond the Portrait: Other Features of the $20 Bill

While we're focused on faces, there's more to the twenty than just Jackson's portrait. Let's break down the current bill's design:

• Front (Obverse):
  • Large Portrait: Andrew Jackson (center).
  • Seals: Treasury Seal (green, right of portrait), Federal Reserve Seal (left of portrait, specific to the issuing Federal Reserve Bank - e.g., A1 = Boston, B2 = New York, etc.).
  • Serial Numbers: Unique combination of letters and numbers (green, twice on front).
  • Signature Block: Signatures of the Treasurer of the United States and the Secretary of the Treasury.
  • Series Year: Indicates design year (e.g., Series 2017, 2017A).
• Back (Reverse):
  • Image: The White House (center).
  • Text: "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "TWENTY DOLLARS," "THE WHITE HOUSE."

Security Features (Current Series): Always good to know how to spot a fake!

Your Top Questions Answered: The $20 Bill FAQ

Let's tackle some of the most common things people ask after figuring out the basics of who is on the 20 dollar bill.