The 1969 20-dollar bill is a popular and collectible currency note that features the new Treasury seal in color. It is the first 20-dollar bill to feature the new Treasury seal in color, as the new Treasury seal was first adopted in 1964 and appeared on the 1966 100-dollar bill.
The 1969 20-dollar bill also features several other security features, such as a color-shifting numeral 20 and a watermark portrait of President Andrew Jackson.
The 1969 20-dollar bill is a popular and collectible currency note for several reasons. First, it is a relatively rare bill, as it was only printed for a few years. Second, it features several security features, which makes it difficult to counterfeit.
Third, it is a well-designed bill with a distinctive look.
History of the 1969 20-dollar Bill
Design
The 1969 20-dollar bill featured a portrait of Andrew Jackson on the front and a vignette of the White House on the back. This was the first time in over 50 years that the portrait on the 20-dollar bill was updated.
The new portrait of Jackson was based on a painting called The Battle of New Orleans by Jean-François de Troy, showing Jackson as a military hero. The back of the bill also included a bright blue and green background with orange color accents, representing a radical departure from previous currency designs.
This vibrant style was part of the “Go-Go” era of the 1960s.
Production
The 1969 series of 20-dollar bills were first printed in 1969 by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and issued to the public on October 8, 1970. This series was called the “A” series because the serial numbers on the bills started with the letter A.
Around 589,824,000 of these 1969 20-dollar bills were printed and circulated, making them plentiful yet still valued by collectors today. The notes were produced on a high-speed rotary printing press, allowing the BEP to print over 1,000 notes per sheet of paper.
This mass production resulted in some unique varieties and printing errors that can now fetch a high premium among collectors and dealers.
Circulation
The 1969-A $20 bills enjoyed a long period of circulation, remaining as America’s $20 bill for over 13 years. The bills exchanged hands in everyday cash transactions across the country throughout the 1970s and into the early 1980s.
However, the notes began being phased out in favor of a newly designed series starting in 1981. Even after they stopped being printed, the 1969 $20s continued circulating for many more years. By the 1990s, most had been removed from circulation by banks or exchanged by the public for newer bills.
Today, these notes are highly sought after by collectors and history enthusiasts alike as an iconic piece of modern American currency design.
Characteristics of the 1969 $20 Bill
Size and Weight
The 1969 20-dollar bill measured 7.4218 inches wide by 3.125 inches tall and had a thickness of 0.0043 inches. This made it slightly smaller in size compared to previous and later $20 bills. Despite its smaller size, the 1969 20-dollar bill weighed about 1 gram, which was on par with other $20 bills before and after it.
Composition
The 1969 20-dollar bill was composed of 25% linen and 75% cotton. This was consistent with the fiber content used in Federal Reserve notes at the time. The distinct fibers gave the 1969 $20 bill a crisp feel and made it more durable than paper.
The ink used for the engraved printing was a mix of dry pigments and linseed oil, helping give the 1969 20-dollar bill its classic green hue.
Design Details
The front design of the 1969 20-dollar bill featured a portrait of Andrew Jackson. Stylized stars appeared on both sides, along with the Great Seal of the United States. The back had a vignette of the White House.
While the 1969 $20 kept the basic design elements of the previous series, the most noticeable change was the text “Twenty Dollars” instead of “Twenty Dollars in Gold” like earlier notes. This reflected the US leaving the gold standard.
Some key features of the 1969 20-dollar bill included:
- Portrait of President Andrew Jackson on the front
- White House vignette on the back
- “Twenty Dollars” text instead of “Twenty Dollars in Gold”
- Green Treasury seal and serial numbers
- Federal Reserve Bank seal in black
- No security thread – that was introduced in 1990
The 1969 $20 marked a transition between older-style Federal Reserve notes and more modern bills. While not rare, these notes are sought after by collectors interested in 20th-century paper currency.
Collecting the 1969 20-dollar Bill
Grading
When collecting the 1969 20-dollar bill, condition and grade are extremely important in determining value. There are a few professional grading services that collectors trust to accurately evaluate and encapsulate notes, like PCGS Currency and PMG.
These services grade bills on a scale from 1 to 70, with 70 being a perfect uncirculated note. A 1969 $20 bill graded between 60-70 can be worth twice as much as one in circulated condition.
There are 10 different grades for uncirculated Federal Reserve notes:
- Gem Crisp Uncirculated-70
- Superb Gem Uncirculated-69
- Gem Uncirculated-68
- Choice Uncirculated-67
- Uncirculated-66
- Choice About Uncirculated-65
- About Uncirculated-64
- Choice Extremely Fine-63
- Extremely Fine-62
- About Extremely Fine-61
When examining a 1969 $20 bill’s condition, look closely for discoloration, tears, writing, and other damage that could negatively affect the grade.
Value
Valuing the 1969 20-dollar bill can be tricky. Even specimens in great condition are not particularly rare and were heavily saved at the time of issue. However, certain varieties and star notes can command significant premiums. Here’s a quick value overview:
- Average Circulated Grade (VG, F, VF): $20-$25
- AU Grade: $35-$60
- Uncirculated Grade (60-70): $80-$160+
- Low Serial Numbers: 20-50% premium
- Star Notes: Up to double the normal value
- Fancy Serial Numbers: Big premiums for radar and repeater serials
- Web Notes: Double to triple normal value
Authentication and certification from PMG or PCGS will assure buyers of a note’s grade and typically result in a higher selling price. Recent eBay sales can also help gauge a 1969 twenty’s current market value.
Varieties
There are a few varieties of the 1969 $20 Federal Reserve note that collectors pay extra attention to:
- Star Notes: Replacement notes have a star symbol at the end of the serial number. These are more scarce than normal 1969 $20 bills.
- Low Serial Numbers: Notes with serial numbers 00000100 and lower can have added value to collectors.
- Web Notes: these have the text from the note design bleed onto the border. Very rare and desirable.
- Fancy Serials: Serial numbers with special patterns like 77777777, 12345678, etc. can fetch big premiums.
The 1969 200-dollar bill has 12 Federal Reserve Bank seals, one for each district. Most are common but Minneapolis and San Francisco seals can be tougher to locate.
Inspecting a 1969 twenty’s serial number and seal is important to identify more valuable varieties.
Famous 1969 $20 Bills
Star Notes
Star notes were replacement notes printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing when defects were found during the production of a certain series of bills. The star symbol at the end of the serial number indicates it’s a replacement note.
Some of the most valuable 1969 20-dollar star notes feature solid radar serial numbers (the numbers are the same forward and backward) or low print runs of only a few hundred thousand. Solid radar star notes like #555555* can sell for over $5,000!
Error Notes
Several different types of errors occurred on the 1969 series notes. One of the rarest is the ‘mule note’ which combined faces from the 1928 series with the 1969 issue backs. Only a handful are known to exist.
Other errors like offset printing, missing elements, and misaligned backs can also make these bills quite valuable. The ‘Barr Note’ with exceptional mismatched backs once sold at auction for over $30,000!
Celebrity Notes
Some 1969 20-dollar bills have gained fame for being associated with prominent people. For example, a 1969 20-dollar star bill was placed inside the envelope with Richard Nixon’s resignation letter. That unique note is now housed in the Nixon Presidential Library.
Another famous 1969 20-dollar bill was one signed in 1974 by astronaut Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon during the 1969 Apollo 11 mission. That ‘moon money’ note eventually sold for over $10,000!
The 1969 $20 Bill in Popular Culture
Movies and TV Shows
The 1969 $20 bill has made several memorable appearances in movies and TV shows over the years. In National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983), Chevy Chase’s character Clark Griswold withdraws a stack of 1969 twenties from the bank to fund the family’s road trip.
In a funny scene, Clark excitedly fans out the bills and announces “Hello, little twenties!” before stuffing them into his wallet. More recently, the 1969 20-dollar bill was featured in a 2015 episode of Broad City when Ilana tries to use one to buy marijuana.
Many collectors and dealers in movies and shows often ask for or show off the 1969 twenties due to their rarity and value.
Music and Literature
References to the 1969 20-dollar bill have popped up occasionally in music and books. For example, the video for Aloe Blacc’s “I Need A Dollar” (2010) prominently features a 1969 twenty being passed around. In literature, bestselling author James Patterson titled one of his Alex Cross detective novels The 20th Anniversary (2003) as a reference to the 1969 $20.
Some rap songs also mention “old-school twenties” in lyrics boasting about wealth.
Collectibles and Memorabilia
Because of its cool design and short print run, the 1969 20-dollar bill is highly sought-after by currency collectors and dealers. Bills in pristine condition can sell for upwards of $80-100. There is a wide range of collectibles featuring the 1969 twenty’s design, including posters, T-shirts, money clips, protective sleeves, and replica notes.
The note’s 150th anniversary in 2019 spawned an explosion of memorabilia items celebrating the rare and iconic 1969 $20.
the 1969 20-dollar bill – Conclusion
The 1969 20-dollar bill is a significant and collectible currency note. It is a well-designed and secure banknote that represents an important period in American history.
If you are interested in learning more about the 1969 20-dollar bill, or if you are considering adding one to your collection, this article has provided you with a comprehensive overview of this important note.
