How to Identify a Counterfeit $20 Bill

Imagine this: You’re at the store, you hand over a crisp $20 bill to pay for your groceries, and the cashier glances at it suspiciously. They hold it up to the light, run their fingers over it, and grab a counterfeit detection pen. Suddenly, you’re nervous. Is your $20 bill fake?

In a world where counterfeit currency can be surprisingly common, being able to tell whether or not your money is genuine is an important skill. Counterfeiters target all denominations of bills, but the $20 is one of the most frequently faked, given its wide use in daily transactions. So, how can you spot a fake $20 bill? Let’s break it down with easy-to-follow, detailed steps, from visible features to special security markers.

1. Look for the Watermark

One of the quickest ways to identify a counterfeit $20 bill is to check for the watermark. Genuine $20 bills feature a faint image of President Andrew Jackson to the right of the portrait on the front of the bill. You should be able to see this watermark when you hold the bill up to the light. If the watermark is missing, or if it shows a different image, you might be holding a counterfeit bill.

The watermark should also be part of the paper, not something that looks stamped or printed on. Counterfeiters sometimes try to replicate the watermark by printing a lighter image over the bill’s surface, but this will appear noticeably different when compared to the real thing.

2. Check the Color-Shifting Ink

Look at the bottom right-hand corner of the front of the bill where the number "20" is printed. On a real $20 bill, this number should change color when you tilt the bill, shifting from copper to green. This color-shifting ink is a common security feature on higher-denomination bills, and it’s difficult for counterfeiters to replicate accurately.

If the number does not change color or looks off, that's a strong sign the bill may be fake.

3. Feel the Texture of the Paper

U.S. currency is printed on a special type of paper that is made from cotton and linen. Counterfeit bills often feel smoother or glossier because they are printed on regular paper. Run your fingers over the bill—if it feels too smooth or lacks texture, it could be a fake.

Moreover, the ink on real bills is slightly raised, which gives genuine bills a subtle texture that you can feel. Pay special attention to the portrait of Andrew Jackson; on a real $20 bill, you should be able to feel the ridges in the printing.

4. Look at the Security Thread

Hold the bill up to the light again and look for a thin embedded strip running vertically through the note. This is called the security thread. On a genuine $20 bill, the security thread will be embedded near the left side of the bill and should say “USA TWENTY” along with a small flag.

The security thread will also glow under ultraviolet (UV) light. On $20 bills, this thread glows green under UV light, so if you have a UV light handy, that’s another quick way to verify its authenticity.

5. Check the Microprinting

Microprinting is another clever security feature used by the U.S. Treasury to combat counterfeiters. On a real $20 bill, you will find tiny text printed around the portrait and along the lower edge of the bill. Look carefully with a magnifying glass, and you should see “USA20” repeated in very small print.

Counterfeiters often skip this step or fail to print it clearly because it requires special equipment. If you can’t find the microprinting, or if it appears blurry, the bill is probably fake.

6. Inspect the Portrait

The portrait of Andrew Jackson on a real $20 bill should be crisp, clear, and detailed. On counterfeit bills, the portrait is often blurry or washed out. Counterfeiters don’t always have access to high-quality printing equipment, so the fine details in the portrait can suffer.

Pay close attention to Jackson’s face. The real portrait should have sharp details and intricate shading. If it looks too smooth or lacks definition, you may be holding a counterfeit bill.

7. Serial Numbers

Every U.S. bill has a unique serial number that is printed in the same color as the Treasury Seal. On a real $20 bill, the serial numbers will be evenly spaced, perfectly aligned, and printed in the same ink as the seal. If the numbers look off, are unevenly spaced, or appear different from the seal’s color, that’s a red flag.

Additionally, you can check if the serial number matches the series year printed on the bill. The series year should correspond to certain features and design elements. For example, if you have a $20 bill from the 2009 series, it will have different features than a bill from the 2013 series. Inconsistencies here can indicate a counterfeit bill.

8. Use a Counterfeit Detection Pen

Many businesses use counterfeit detection pens as a quick test. These pens contain iodine, which reacts with the starch in regular paper but not with the cotton-linen blend used in genuine U.S. currency. If the pen leaves a dark mark on the bill, it’s likely a fake.

However, while the pen is a useful tool, it is not foolproof. Some counterfeiters bleach lower denomination bills (like $1 or $5 bills) and then reprint them as higher denominations like $20 bills. Because the paper is genuine, the pen may not detect the counterfeit.

9. UV Light and Magnification Tools

While not everyone has access to UV lights or magnifying glasses, these tools can be helpful in spotting counterfeit bills. As mentioned earlier, the security thread on a $20 bill should glow under UV light. In addition, some features, like microprinting, are much easier to spot with magnification.

For those who regularly handle cash, investing in these tools could save you from unknowingly accepting counterfeit currency.

What to Do If You Suspect a Bill Is Counterfeit

If you believe you’ve received a counterfeit $20 bill, you should not try to pass it along to someone else. Instead, take it to your local bank or notify the authorities. It’s illegal to knowingly use counterfeit currency, and passing it on could get you into legal trouble.

Banks have the necessary tools to determine if a bill is real or fake, and they can alert law enforcement if needed. In many cases, the Secret Service, which handles counterfeit investigations, will take over.

Final Thoughts

Spotting counterfeit $20 bills requires a careful eye and attention to detail, but by following these steps, you can protect yourself from becoming a victim. Whether you’re a business owner, cashier, or just someone who uses cash frequently, being able to recognize the security features of genuine currency is an invaluable skill.

Counterfeiters continue to evolve their methods, but with the right knowledge, you can stay one step ahead and avoid falling for their tricks. Don’t forget, when in doubt, always check the bill closely and trust your instincts.