On May 13, 2003, the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing unveiled the next generation of paper money! The new Series 2004 $20 bill marks the first time Andrew Jackson,"old Hickory" is freed from the oval circle and displays a blend of blue, peach and green pastel colors.
No longer just the "greenback" this attractive use of color is among the latest steps taken by the government to foil counterfeiters. (The $20 Gold Certificate of 1905 was the last time any U.S. paper money had a colored background.) Other features are an image of a large blue eagle to Jackson's left and the words TWENTY USA, USA TWENTY below the U.S. Treasury emblem. On back, dozens of small yellow numeral 20s are imprinted. Security features from the earlier 1996 redesign were continued in this newest series.
Although the new $20 design was introduced, the notes will not actually enter circulation until some time this fall. Because the $20 is the most often counterfeited denominations, it was redesigned first. New designs for the $50 and $100 notes will debut in 2004 and 2005. Be watching for these to turn up at banks and in your change.
