Andrew Jackson has stared from wallets and cash registers for nearly a century. But his tenure on the notes is ticking down. The push to swap his portrait for Harriet Tubman has reignited conversations about who we choose to honor on public money. You use these bills daily, yet the story behind them involves 1920s backroom politics, intense moral debates, and stubborn bureaucratic delays.
Curious about how a frontier populist ended up on the note in the first place? Let us walk through the complete history, the controversies, and when you'll actually see a brand-new design in circulation.
How Andrew Jackson Landed on the Twenty Dollar Bill
Treasury officials didn't pick Jackson in 1928 to make a deep moral statement about his presidency. The redesign of U.S. paper currency back then aimed to make notes smaller, standardize portraits, and cut production costs. Treasury Secretary Andrew Mellon wanted a uniform system where founding fathers and universally recognized presidents anchored each denomination.
Jackson replaced Grover Cleveland on the note. While Jackson was a military hero of the War of 1812 and a symbol of common-man democracy, his inclusion fit an era that glossed over dark chapters in American leadership. Master engravers based his portrait on a painting by Thomas Sully. For decades, Americans spent the notes without questioning why the seventh president got prime real estate on everyday cash.
The Growing Backlash Against Andrew Jackson
Public perception of Jackson shifted dramatically over the last few decades. Historians and citizens began looking past his populist image to confront his record on human rights. Two major actions fuel the modern call for his removal:
- The Indian Removal Act of 1830: Jackson signed this legislation, forcing thousands of Native Americans off their ancestral lands. The resulting migration, known as the Trail of Tears, caused devastating loss of life and cultural destruction.
- Enslavement: Like many leaders of his era, Jackson was a wealthy slaveholder who operated a large plantation in Tennessee, directly contradicting the egalitarian ideals stamped on the nation's currency.
As public awareness grew, activists argued that honoring a man responsible for state-sanctioned cruelty on a widely circulated note sends the wrong message. Money is a reflection of national values, and critics felt Jackson no longer fit that bill.
The Harriet Tubman Redesign Initiative
The movement reached a turning point in 2015. Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew announced a sweeping plan to redesign multiple notes to incorporate civil rights figures and women. Harriet Tubman was selected to replace Jackson on the front of the note.
Tubman escaped slavery before using the Underground Railroad to rescue dozens of enslaved people, later serving as a Union scout and spy during the Civil War. Placing her on the note marks a historic milestone. It makes her the first African American and the first woman to feature prominently on modern U.S. paper currency.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury outlined ambitious goals to modernize security features alongside the aesthetic overhaul. Officials received thousands of public comments during the planning stages, showing overwhelming support for celebrating figures who fought for equality.
Why the Harriet Tubman Twenty Dollar Bill Is Delayed
If you're wondering why you still pull Jackson out of the ATM, blame a mix of technical hurdles and political friction.
The original rollout was slated for 2020 to coincide with the centennial of the 19th Amendment. That deadline slipped quickly. Treasury officials announced that anti-counterfeiting technology had to take precedence. Redesigning bills requires rolling out complex tactile features for visually impaired users, dynamic security inks, and microprinting that takes years to test.
Beyond logistics, administrative priorities shifted during subsequent political transitions. While the Bureau of Engraving and Printing continues its design work, the current target for the new notes to enter circulation stretches toward 2030.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still spend old twenty dollar bills featuring Andrew Jackson?
Yes. All U.S. currency issued since 1865 remains legal tender at full face value, regardless of its age. When the new notes eventually launch, older bills will stay in circulation until banks naturally pull worn notes from use.
Who decides whose face goes on American paper money?
The Treasury Secretary holds the ultimate authority over currency redesigns, working alongside the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and the Federal Reserve. Federal law actually prohibits featuring living people on U.S. paper money.
Will Andrew Jackson disappear from all U.S. currency?
Not immediately. While he leaves the front of the twenty dollar bill, discussions have floated moving historical portraits to the back of notes or shifting them to alternative denominations as future security updates occur.
Why do currency redesigns take so long?
Anti-counterfeiting measures require intense engineering. Governments must coordinate with global vending, ATM, and cash-handling machine manufacturers so that newly printed bills work smoothly worldwide without triggering false rejections.
