The face on the 20 dollar bill has belonged to Andrew Jackson, the seventh U.S. president, for nearly a century. Yet his presence on federal currency remains a subject of intense political dispute, public debate, and repeated administrative delays. While public campaigns have long pushed to replace Jackson with abolitionist icon Harriet Tubman, the actual portrait on the note involves a complex mix of banking tradition, presidential legacy, and evolving federal design priorities.
Understanding why Jackson's portrait appears on the currency note requires looking back at how U.S. paper money evolved. Presidents and founding figures were chosen not just for popularity, but to represent specific eras of American political expansion. Jackson wasn't always on the 20 dollar bill, and the reasons behind his placement reflect shifting values within the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
How Andrew Jackson Replaced Grover Cleveland
Before Andrew Jackson's portrait became a fixture on the twenty-dollar Federal Reserve note, other historical figures occupied that space. The U.S. government introduced small-size paper currency in 1929, moving away from large-format notes to standardize production. During this major redesign, portrait assignments were distributed among presidents and statesmen based on recognition and historical standing.
Initially, the twenty-dollar bill featured Grover Cleveland, the 22nd and 24th president. Cleveland stayed on the denomination for decades. The swap to Andrew Jackson occurred during the series of 1928 and 1929 rollouts, though Cleveland was moved over to the 1,000 dollar bill. Jackson's face became standard on the twenty as the Federal Reserve note architecture solidified through the mid-20th century.
Choosing Jackson aligned with an era when populist political figures from the 19th century held widespread historical reverence. However, Jackson's actual legacy has faced intense scrutiny, particularly regarding his role in signing the Indian Removal Act of 1830 and his defense of slavery. These controversies fueled decades of grassroots activism demanding a figure who represented broader democratic ideals.
The Push to Replace Jackson with Harriet Tubman
Grassroots pressure to redesign U.S. paper currency to feature prominent women gained serious momentum in the 2010s. Organizations like "Women on 20s" mobilized public campaigns, asking citizens to vote on historical female figures who deserved a place of honor on everyday currency. Harriet Tubman, the legendary abolitionist, conductor of the Underground Railroad, and Union scout, emerged as the overwhelming public favorite.
In April 2016, Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew announced a sweeping redesign plan for U.S. currency. The proposal scheduled Harriet Tubman to replace Andrew Jackson on the front of the 20 dollar bill, making her the first African American and the first real woman featured on the face of modern U.S. paper money. Jackson's portrait was slated to move to the reverse side of the note.
This historic announcement set off a multi-year administrative and technical planning process. Redesigning currency notes requires extensive security upgrades, anti-counterfeiting measures, and coordination with the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to ensure commercial vending and ATM machines can read the new bills accurately.
Bureaucratic Hurdles and Political Roadblocks
Despite the 2016 announcement, the rollout faced continuous delays. Initial timelines suggested designs would be unveiled around 2020 to coincide with the centennial of the 19th Amendment, but technical complications pushed those dates back. Subsequent political administrations shifted priorities, leading to further pauses in the aesthetic overhaul of Federal Reserve notes.
The debate highlighted a deep cultural divide over how national history is commemorated on everyday items. Supporters of the Tubman redesign argued that modern currency should reflect a more inclusive American story, replacing a slaveholder with a hero of liberation. Critics and defenders of traditional designs raised concerns over historic preservation and the operational costs of updating national currency stock.
Administrative updates from the Treasury Department confirmed that the planned Tubman redesign was halted, keeping Andrew Jackson on the note as upcoming series move through production cycles. Consequently, the twenty-dollar bill continues to feature Jackson, leaving the future of currency representation open to future political and cultural shifts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is currently on the 20 dollar bill?
Andrew Jackson, the seventh U.S. president, remains on the front of the twenty-dollar Federal Reserve note.
Did Harriet Tubman ever appear on circulated U.S. currency?
No. While plans were announced in 2016 to feature her on the twenty-dollar bill, the redesign was repeatedly delayed and ultimately halted by the Treasury Department.
Who was on the 20 dollar bill before Andrew Jackson?
Grover Cleveland, the 22nd and 24th U.S. president, appeared on the twenty-dollar note before the 1928 currency standardization shifted Jackson onto the denomination.
Why is Andrew Jackson a controversial figure on money?
Critics point to his ownership of enslaved people, his execution of policies that forced Native American tribes off their ancestral lands via the Indian Removal Act, and his aggressive opposition to the central banking system.
Will U.S. currency ever feature women on paper notes?
While historical commemorative coins and limited-edition quarters have featured notable women, no real woman has appeared as the primary portrait on circulating U.S. paper currency since Martha Washington in the 19th century.
