What Dollar Is Andrew Jackson On? The Past, Present, and Future of the $20 Bill

The portrait of Andrew Jackson adorns the obverse of the United States $20 bill, a position he has held for over a century. This article examines the historical rationale for his placement, the ongoing debate regarding his legacy, and the planned transition to featuring Harriet Tubman on the note. It explores the complex history of U.S. currency design and the evolving conversation about who is commemorated in American public space.

The decision to feature Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill was not immediate. Jackson, the seventh President of the United States, served from 1829 to 1837. His image first appeared on U.S. paper currency in 1928, when the Treasury standardized the size and design of Federal Reserve Notes. Prior to 1928, banknotes were issued by individual banks and featured a variety of portraits. The choice to place Jackson on the $20 note was part of this nationwide standardization effort, though specific deliberations regarding his selection were not heavily documented in the public sphere at the time.

Andrew Jackson’s enduring presence on U.S. currency is rooted in his historical prominence, despite the controversy surrounding his policies. There are several key reasons why he was chosen for this denomination:

* **Populist Appeal:** Jackson was known as the "People's President," championing the cause of the common man against what he saw as elite financial interests, notably his veto of the re-charter of the Second Bank of the United States. This image resonated with the public.

* **Military Fame:** His victory at the Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812 made him a national hero and a symbol of American resilience and strength.

* **Symbol of a Bygone Era:** By the 1920s, Jackson represented a distinct period in American history—westward expansion and the agrarian republic—making him a familiar and appropriate figure for a widely circulated bill.

The $20 bill is perhaps the most commonly circulated denomination in the United States. Its frequent use in everyday transactions, from buying groceries at the corner store to tipping at restaurants, ensures that Jackson's likeness is seen by millions of people every day. The bill is a primary vehicle through which the public encounters historical figures, making the design of the currency a subtle but powerful form of civic education. The choice of portrait on this small piece of paper reflects national values and priorities, for better or for worse.

In recent decades, Jackson's legacy has come under intense scrutiny. While celebrated for his populism and military acumen, he is also remembered for his fierce advocacy of slavery, his brutal enforcement of the Indian Removal Act, and the suffering it caused, most infamously the Trail of Tears. This complex and often dark history has led to significant public debate about the appropriateness of honoring him on the nation's currency. The conversation gained momentum in the 21st century, particularly following the 2016 election of the first African American President, Barack Obama.

The push to replace Jackson with a new figure on the $20 bill was not a spontaneous reaction but part of a broader, long-term effort to diversify U.S. currency. In 2015, the Treasury Department announced a project to modernize U.S. banknotes, citing security concerns but also the opportunity to update the designs. This initiative was significantly shaped by a grassroots movement, culminating in the 2016 "Women on 20s" campaign. This organization advocated for replacing Jackson with a woman, arguing that the all-male roster on U.S. paper currency was outdated. The campaign successfully gathered over 600,000 signatures in an online petition, demonstrating widespread public support for a change.

The Treasury's response to this public sentiment was decisive. In April 2016, then-Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew announced that Harriet Tubman would replace Andrew Jackson on the front (obverse) of the $20 bill. The back (reverse) of the note would be redesigned to include imagery of the White House, while Jackson's portrait would be moved to the back. This decision was framed as a step toward acknowledging a more complete and accurate history of the United States. As then-Treasury Secretary Lew stated in the announcement, the change was part of an effort to "honor the role women have played in shaping our democracy" and to ensure that the Treasury's currency "reflects the inclusive history of our great nation." The announcement was met with widespread praise from historical organizations and civil rights groups, who saw it as a long-overdue correction.

The plan to introduce the new $20 bill has been met with delays and shifting timelines. Originally, the redesigned note was expected to enter circulation in 2020, the centennial of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote. However, these plans have been pushed back. According to reports from the U.S. Government Accountability Office and subsequent statements from Treasury officials, the new note featuring Harriet Tubman is now not expected to be released into circulation until sometime after 2025. The delay has been attributed to a variety of factors, including concerns over counterfeiting and the complex security features required for modern currency.

The redesign of the $20 bill involves more than just swapping portraits. The new note will incorporate a suite of advanced security features. These are intended to make the bill more difficult to counterfeit and to reflect modern printing technology. The obverse will feature a portrait of Harriet Tubman, centered and engraved to give it a distinct texture. The back will depict the White House, but with a design intended to provide a broader sense of history and context. The portrait of Andrew Jackson will not be eliminated; his likeness will be moved to the back of the bill, likely alongside a depiction of the White House. This change represents a significant shift in the visual language of American currency, moving from a single-subject design to one that can convey a more layered narrative.

The debate surrounding Andrew Jackson's place on the $20 bill is part of a larger national conversation about historical memory and representation. Some argue that removing Jackson from the bill erases a difficult but important part of history. Others contend that currency is a public square, and its imagery should reflect the nation's highest ideals, not its most troubling injustices. The final design of the $20 bill will be a tangible artifact of this ongoing dialogue. It will serve as a constant reminder of a nation grappling with its past and attempting to define its future values. The question of "What Dollar Is Andrew Jackson On?" is ultimately a question about what kind of country the United States aspires to be.