As you probably know, the $20 bill is one of the most widely used denominations of U.S. currency, second only to the $1 bill. Featuring a portrait of President Andrew Jackson on the front, the design of the $20 note has remained relatively unchanged for nearly a century.
However, that‘s about to change. In 2016, the U.S. Treasury announced plans to redesign the $20 bill and replace Andrew Jackson with a portrait of Harriet Tubman, the African-American abolitionist hero. This will mark the first time a woman has been featured on U.S. paper currency in over a century.
While the Tubman $20 bill is still several years away from entering circulation, its implication is clear – older $20 bills, like the Series 1985 note, will become obsolete and potentially more valuable to collectors once the new design is released.
In this article, we‘ll take a closer look at the 1985 series $20 bill and provide details on its current value, rare varieties and errors, and what makes certain examples worth thousands of dollars to currency collectors. We‘ll also give you some tips on how to determine if you might have a valuable bill hiding in your wallet.
How Much Is a 1985 $20 Bill Worth?
First, let‘s cover the basics. The 1985 series $20 bills are relatively common as far as older currency goes. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) produced over 6.8 billion $20 notes for the Series of 1985. With such a large supply still in circulation, the vast majority of 1985 $20 bills are only worth their face value of $20.
However, there are a few exceptions. Uncirculated bills that were never used and still retain their original crispness and luster can sell for a significant premium over face value. A regular Series 1985 $20 note in pristine uncirculated condition typically sells for $40-50. Not a fortune, but still a nice return on a $20 investment.
As for star notes, which have a star symbol in place of a letter at the end of the serial number, they are rarer and more valuable than regular issues. Only around 36 million 1985 $20 star notes were printed in total. In uncirculated condition, they are worth about $85-90 each.
Here‘s a chart summarizing the typical values for a 1985 $20 bill based on its condition:
Keep in mind these are only estimates – the exact value of your note can vary based on factors like eye appeal, centering, serial numbers, and overall demand in the currency market. Some varieties and rare errors can be worth substantially more, as we‘ll see in the next section.
Rare and Valuable 1985 $20 Bill Errors and Varieties
While a typical 1985 $20 bill isn‘t worth a lot, there are some scarce varieties and printing errors that are highly prized by collectors. Here are a few notable examples that have sold for big bucks:
Cutting error – over $6,000
Perhaps the most famous 1985 $20 error note is this partial cutting error featuring a portion of two different notes printed together. Amazingly, this oddity managed to slip past inspectors at the BEP and entered circulation. In 2005, the unique piece sold at auction for a whopping $6,900, the most ever paid for a 1985 $20 bill.
Third printing/overprint error – $4,300
Another rare and valuable error type is when certain design elements like the seals and serial numbers are printed on the wrong side of the note as a result of the sheet being fed into the press incorrectly. On this $20 star note, the green seal and serials were printed on the back. It sold for $4,300 in 2023.
Misalignment error – $2,100
Severe misalignments, where a portion of the design is printed askew relative to the borders of the note, are also highly collectible. This example showing a major vertical misalignment sold for $2,100 in 2022 thanks to its strong visual appeal.
Mismatched serial numbers – $2,600
Occasionally, the serial numbers printed on the front and back of a bill won‘t match due to a printing error. These "mismatched serial" errors are popular with collectors. This specimen with dramatically different serials on the front vs back sold for a healthy $2,600 in 2020.
Unique serial numbers
Certain "fancy" serial numbers can also drive up the value of a note, especially on high denominations like $20s. These include solid serial numbers (e.g. 11111111), binary serials (e.g. 01010101), very low serials (under 100), and other visually interesting sequences. Exactly how much these can be worth depends on the specific serial number and overall condition.
How to Tell If You Have a Valuable 1985 $20 Bill
Now that you know some 1985 $20 bills can be worth big bucks, you‘re probably wondering how to determine if you have one. Here‘s what to look for:
Check the series. The series year is printed to the bottom right of the portrait on the front. It will say "Series 1985" for regular issues or "Series 1985 ★" for star notes.
Look for errors and odd appearance. Carefully inspect both sides of the bill, looking for any printing errors, misalignments, or unusual aspects of the design as described above. Major errors are typically very noticeable and can often be spotted with the naked eye.
Assess the condition. Condition is key to value. For a bill to be worth a premium, it typically needs to be in crisp uncirculated condition with bright paper, vivid inks, and no bends, wrinkles or other signs of wear. You‘ll need a magnifying glass to judge centering and look for any tiny imperfections.
Check the serial number. Low serial numbers (1 to 100), solid serials (all one number), binary serials, and other visually striking sequences can significantly enhance value. Also note if it‘s a star note with a ★ symbol in the serial.
Consult a professional. If you believe you have a valuable or rare 1985 $20 bill, it‘s best to have it evaluated by a knowledgeable currency dealer or third-party grading service (PCGS, PMG). They can authenticate the note and assess its condition and market value. Auction records can also give you an idea of what similar examples have sold for.
Conclusion
So there you have it – while most 1985 $20 bills are worth just face value, some rare errors and varieties can be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars. With the upcoming redesign of the $20 note, now is a great time to take a closer look at any older $20 bills you have on hand.
You never know, you could be holding a small fortune in your wallet or coin jar! Even if you don‘t hit the jackpot, a crisp uncirculated 1985 $20 can still sell for a nice premium over face. And they are historic collectibles in their own right, representing an important era in U.S. currency.
Are you a currency collector? Consider adding a high-grade 1985 $20 bill or star note to your collection. As the Tubman redesign rolls out in the coming years, the desirability and value of Series 1985 notes will likely only increase. So the time to buy one is now!
Whatever you decide to do, I hope this guide has given you a better understanding of these fascinating pieces of currency history and their value in today‘s collector market. As always, do your research and buy carefully. Thanks for reading and happy collecting!
