As a long-time currency collector and dealer, I‘ve always had a soft spot for the Series 1985 $20 Federal Reserve Note. With its iconic Andrew Jackson portrait, striking green ink, and impressive printing totals, the ‘85 $20 is a ubiquitous piece of Americana.
But for collectors like myself, this seemingly common bill is also a treasure trove of coveted rarities. From scarce star notes to dramatic misprints, the 1985 series is home to some of the most valuable and visually arresting error notes in modern U.S. currency.
In this in-depth guide, we‘ll explore what makes the 1985 $20 so special to collectors. We‘ll dive into its history, uncover its most prized varieties, and even showcase a few of its most eye-popping—and wallet-busting—error notes.
So whether you‘re a seasoned collector or just a curious currency enthusiast, read on to discover the surprising allure of this unassuming $20 bill. Trust me, you‘ll never look at a Jackson the same way again.
Inside the 1985 Series: How $20s Are Made
To understand what makes certain 1985 $20s valuable, it helps to know a bit about their origin. Specifically, how they were printed, distributed, and ultimately discovered by eagle-eyed collectors.
The story begins at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, the government agency tasked with designing and manufacturing America‘s paper money. For the Series 1985 $20s, the BEP utilized a multi-step process involving engraved plates, high-speed presses, and teams of skilled printers and inspectors.
First, special 32-subject sheets were printed with the $20‘s intricate background design using green and black ink. Next, the sheets were fed through overprinting presses that added the Treasury and Federal Reserve seals, serial numbers, and district identifiers in green.
These sheets were then guillotine cut into individual notes, bundled, and shipped off to one of the 12 Federal Reserve Banks for distribution. On occasion, misprinted or damaged notes were replaced with star notes before shipping.
It‘s during this complex ballet of printing, overprinting, cutting and processing that most errors occur. Slight misalignments, paper folds, double printings—these tiny hiccups can translate to big bucks down the road.
But with billions of notes printed, finding these rare birds is no small feat. It takes a trained eye, a bit of luck, and a whole lot of searching. That‘s where diligent collectors like us come in.
By the Billions: 1985 $20 Production Totals
Just how many Series 1985 $20s are we talking? Try 7 billion—6,868,480,000 to be exact. That staggering sum was supplemented by 36,480,000 star notes used to replace misprints. To put that in perspective, if you stacked 7 billion $20 bills, the pile would reach over 400 miles high!
Here‘s a district-by-district breakdown of the 1985 $20‘s regular and star note production:
| District | Regular Notes | Star Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Boston | 640,000,000 | 3,200,000 |
| New York | 1,280,000,000 | 6,400,000 |
| Philadelphia | 512,000,000 | 3,200,000 |
| Cleveland | 435,200,000 | 1,920,000 |
| Richmond | 601,600,000 | 3,200,000 |
| Atlanta | 646,400,000 | – |
| Chicago | 537,600,000 | 4,480,000 |
| St. Louis | 345,000,000 | – |
| Minneapolis | 307,200,000 | – |
| Kansas City | 422,400,000 | 3,200,000 |
| Dallas | 556,800,000 | 6,400,000 |
| San Francisco | 584,280,000 | 3,200,000 |
| Total | 6,868,480,000 | 36,480,000 |
While these numbers are undoubtedly impressive, they also reveal just how scarce some of the coveted errors and varieties are in comparison. With billions of regular notes churned out, only the most dramatic misprints stand out from the crowd.
Collecting Perfection: Gem Uncirculated $20s
For many collectors, the thrill of the hobby lies not in chasing rarities, but in finding pristine, pack-fresh examples of otherwise common notes. These "gem uncirculated" specimens represent the best of the best—notes that look like they just rolled off the BEP‘s presses.
Grading services like PMG and PCGS use a 70-point scale to assess a note‘s condition, with a grade of 65 or higher indicating a "gem" example. Factors like centering, ink quality, and paper freshness all play a role in determining grade.
When it comes to the 1985 series, even gem uncirculated notes are relatively affordable. PMG-graded 66 examples routinely sell for around $80-100, while 67s—the best of the series—can bring $125-175.
Compared to the hefty premiums carried by some error notes, these prices may seem like a bargain. But for condition-conscious collectors, owning the finest known regular issue is a point of pride.
Here‘s a glance at what collectors can expect to pay for high-grade 1985 $20s:
| Grade | Regular Issue | Star Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 66 EPQ | $80-100 | $125-150 |
| 67 EPQ | $125-175 | $200-300 |
(EPQ = Exceptional Paper Quality)
While gem notes may lack the flash of a dramatic misprint, they make up for it in sheer eye appeal. There‘s something undeniably satisfying about a note with perfect inking, fresh embossing, and flawless centering. For many collectors, that‘s what the hobby is all about.
The Thrill of the Hunt: Chasing Error Notes
But for those of us who crave a little more excitement, error notes are the name of the game. These freaks and oddities represent the BEP‘s quality control at its worst—and collectors at their most enthusiastic.
The 1985 series is a veritable gold mine of valuable errors, from striking double denominations to dramatic ink smears. Here are a few of the most coveted (and valuable) blunders to come out of the ‘85 $20s:
1. The Offset Printing Queen ($4,800)
When two sheets of currency paper are fed through the press at once, the result is an ghostly "offset" impression on one of the sheets. In this case, a light mirror image of the $20‘s design was transferred onto the back of another $20.
Adding to the note‘s allure is its status as a coveted "radar" serial number, with the first four digits (5988) matching the last four in reverse. This rare combination of an offset and fancy serial helped propel this note to $4,800 in a 2021 auction.
2. The Seismic Shift ($7,200)
At first glance, this $20 looks like any other. But a closer inspection reveals the note is actually two $20s—a 1985 series top half and a 1977 series bottom—messily "pasted" together.
This dramatic error likely occurred when the BEP combined salvaged parts of mutilated sheets in an attempt to create whole notes. The result is a jarring "Frankenstein" note that appears to be ripping apart at the seams.
In a testament to its eye appeal, this shifty specimen commanded $7,200 in a hotly contested 2020 auction.
3. The Folded Freak ($10,800)
When a sheet of $20s is folded during the printing process, the result is a surreal mashup of misaligned parts and printed creases. This 1985 example features the bottom of a $20 folded over and printed on the top portion, creating a dizzying funhouse mirror effect.
Currency collectors went gaga for this folded freak, pushing it to a whopping $10,800 in a 2019 sale. The note‘s sheer visual appeal, combined with its impressive rarity, solidified its place as one of the most coveted folds in recent memory.
4. The $6,900 Holy Grail
But when it comes to 1985 $20 errors, one note stands head and shoulders above the rest: the legendary double center print that brought $6,900 in 2005.
This enigmatic error features the centers of two identical $20s printed sideways on a single sheet of currency paper. The kicker? Both notes share the same serial number.
The cause of this mind-bending mistake is anyone‘s guess. A folded sheet, a freakish alignment, a BEP employee asleep at the press—whatever the reason, the result is a note that has become the stuff of numismatic legend.
Adding to the mystery is an ominous purple BEP stamp that reads "No Value, Redeemed by BEP." This indicates the note made it to at least one of the Federal Reserve Banks before being plucked from circulation.
When this double-headed monster crossed the auction block in 2005, bidders went into a frenzy. The hammer finally fell at a staggering $6,900, cementing the note‘s status as the king of 1985 $20 errors.
Since then, the "$6,900 note" has taken on near-mythical status among collectors. It‘s the kind of singular piece that comes along once in a generation—a true numismatic unicorn that captures the imagination of seasoned veterans and new collectors alike.
But what is it about errors like this that captivate us so? Is it their sheer visual oddity, their unlikely survival, their one-of-a-kind nature? In the end, I suspect it‘s a mix of all these things—plus the tantalizing prospect that more might be waiting to be discovered.
Because that‘s the thing about error notes. No matter how many billions were printed or how many we‘ve found, there‘s always the chance that the next pocket change find could be a new discovery. It‘s that slim chance that keeps us searching, keeps us hungry for the next big score.
The Tubman Question: The $20‘s Impending Makeover
As exciting as the 1985 series is for error hunters, it may soon become even more significant. That‘s because the BEP has announced plans to replace Andrew Jackson‘s portrait with that of famed abolitionist Harriet Tubman, ending the 7th president‘s 90-year run on the denomination.
The redesign, which was announced in 2016 as part of Treasury Secretary Jack Lew‘s "The New Faces of American Money" campaign, would make Tubman the first woman and first African American to appear on U.S. paper currency.
While the change was originally slated for 2020 to coincide with the centennial of the 19th Amendment (which granted women the right to vote), a series of delays has pushed the release date back to 2028 or later.
Regardless of when the new $20s debut, the redesign has sparked fierce debate among historians, politicians, and currency buffs. Supporters see Tubman as a long-overdue symbol of progress and inclusivity, while detractors argue Jackson‘s controversial legacy is still worth honoring.
From a collector‘s standpoint, the change is significant for a few reasons. First, it would mark the end of an era for the $20, fixing the Jackson design‘s tenure at nearly a century. This could make pre-Tubman $20s (including the 1985 series) more desirable as historical artifacts.
Second, the new design would almost certainly incorporate state-of-the-art anti-counterfeiting measures like color-shifting ink, 3D security ribbons, and watermarks. This would give the Tubmans a distinct look and feel compared to their predecessors.
Lastly, the release of a new $20 design typically sparks renewed interest in the denomination as a whole. This could bring fresh eyes (and wallets) to the hobby, potentially driving up demand for key dates and errors.
Of course, all of this is speculation until the new notes actually enter circulation. But for a series as beloved and collected as the $20, any major change is bound to make waves in the numismatic world.
Preserving History: Tips for Collecting $20s
So what does all this mean for collectors looking to add a 1985 $20 to their collection? First and foremost, it means being discerning. With billions of notes out there, not every ‘85 is worth keeping.
For regular issues, focus on high-grade examples with excellent centering and embossing. Bonus points for good serial numbers (like radars, solids, or low numbers) and crisp paper quality.
When it comes to star notes, rarity is key. Look for the scarcer district printings like Richmond, Atlanta, and Minneapolis, which had lower production totals. And as always, condition is king—a choice uncirculated star will always be more desirable than a circulated one.
For errors, the sky‘s the limit. Major misprints like double denominations, inverted backs, and dramatic shifts will always command a premium. But even lesser errors like misaligned seals or partial overprints can be collectible if they‘re dramatic enough.
Once you‘ve found a note worth keeping, proper storage is essential. Use acid-free currency sleeves or Mylar holders to protect your notes from dust, moisture, and handling. Avoid PVC holders, which can damage notes over time.
If you‘re feeling extra cautious (or have a particularly valuable note), consider getting it graded by a reputable service like PMG or PCGS. Not only will this ensure your note is authentic and accurately graded, but it can also increase its value and liquidity in the marketplace.
The Enduring Allure of Error Notes
In the end, collecting error notes is about more than just the thrill of the hunt or the pride of ownership. It‘s about preserving a tiny slice of history, a snapshot of a moment when the BEP‘s normally airtight quality control slipped up.
These notes are survivors, anomalies that somehow slipped through the cracks and made it into circulation. Each one tells a story, whether it‘s a dramatic misprint or a subtle variation. And as collectors, it‘s our job to uncover and preserve those stories for future generations.
But beyond their historical significance, error notes also speak to something deeper in the human psyche. We‘re drawn to the unusual, the unexpected, the things that break the mold. In a world of conformity and mass production, error notes are a refreshing reminder that even the most regimented systems are prone to the occasional blunder.
And that‘s what makes them so endlessly fascinating to collectors like myself. No matter how many we find or how much we learn, there‘s always something new to discover. A fresh variety, a previously unknown error, a note that defies explanation.
It‘s that sense of possibility that keeps us coming back to the hobby year after year, always on the lookout for the next big find. Whether it‘s a double denomination, an inverted back, or a mythical $6,900 unicorn, the thrill of discovery never gets old.
So here‘s to the error notes, the freaks and oddities that keep us searching through piles of pocket change and stacks of musty currency. May they continue to surprise, delight, and confound us for generations to come. Happy hunting!
