Characteristics of an Authentic $20 Bill

Raised Details

Run your finger lightly along the bill. You should feel some texture along the bill from the printing being raised.

Color Shifting Ink

Tilt the bill. You should see the numeral "20" shift colors from a green to a copper color.

Crisp Details

Look carefully at the details of the bill. The printing process makes crisp lines and detail. This is especially obvious in the borders.

Serial Number

The serial number appears twice on each note—on the right side and in the upper left corner. The first letter also corresponds to the printed year.

Watermark

Hold the bill to the light, and look for a faint portrait of Andrew Jackson in the blank space.

Security Thread

Hold the note to light to see a thread running vertically to the left of the portrait. The thread is imprinted with the text USA TWENTY.