$20 Bills That Are Worth Money: What to Look For

Collectible currency offers opportunities to discover value beyond a bill’s face worth. While most $20 bills serve their everyday purpose, certain rare characteristics or historical significance can transform them into highly sought-after items. Uncovering a valuable $20 bill requires understanding specific features that elevate its rarity and desirability. Knowing what to look for can turn a common transaction into an exciting find.

Identifying Valuable Features

The serial number on a $20 bill is often the first place collectors look for unique attributes that can increase its value. “Fancy serial numbers” include patterns that are rare and visually appealing. Low serial numbers, such as 00000001 through 00000009, are highly prized, with the number 1 often considered the most valuable. Conversely, high serial numbers like 99999999 can also command a premium, especially on older notes.

Other fancy serial numbers include “radar notes,” which read the same forwards and backward (e.g., 12344321), and “repeater notes,” where the first half of the serial number repeats in the second half (e.g., 14141414). “Solid numbers” feature all the same digits (e.g., 77777777), while “ladder notes” have numbers that ascend or descend sequentially (e.g., 01234567 or 98765432). “Binary serial numbers,” composed of only two unique digits, such as 0s and 1s, are also collectible.

Beyond serial numbers, “star notes” represent another category of collectible currency. These notes are printed to replace misprinted or damaged bills during the manufacturing process, identified by a small star symbol at the end of their serial number. Their value is elevated if they originate from rare or low print runs. Not all star notes are highly valuable, but those from scarce print runs can be worth significantly more than face value.

Printing errors also increase a $20 bill’s value. These errors occur when something goes wrong during the printing process. Examples include misaligned cuts, where the design is off-center, or ink errors such as missing ink, smeared ink, or incorrect ink colors. Other sought-after errors involve inverted backs, or missing seals and serial numbers. These imperfections are prized by collectors due to their rarity, as most flawed notes are destroyed before entering circulation.

Assessing the Bill’s Condition

The physical condition of a $20 bill is a significant determinant of its collector’s value. Currency grading systems, like the 70-point numerical scale, objectively assess a note’s state. A grade of 70 signifies a note in perfect condition, while a grade of 1 indicates an extremely worn state. Even minor imperfections can reduce a bill’s appeal and market price.

Several specific factors are examined during the grading process. Folds and creases are scrutinized, as deep folds significantly lower a note’s grade. Tears, holes, and physical damage to the paper also detract from value. Stains, dirt, or discoloration can diminish a bill’s condition.

Paper quality is assessed for crispness, texture, and stiffness. Sharpness of corners and edges is evaluated; rounded or frayed corners indicate wear. Graders also look for artificial alteration, such as cleaning or pressing; these actions devalue a bill because they compromise originality. When handling valuable bills, hold them only by the edges and store them in protective sleeves to prevent damage.

Determining Authenticity and Value

Once a valuable $20 bill is identified, confirming authenticity and obtaining an accurate valuation are the next steps. Modern $20 bills incorporate security features like security threads, color-shifting ink, and watermarks; older or rare notes require specialized verification. Professional authentication is essential for any bill with significant collector value.

Consulting professional numismatists, reputable currency dealers, or third-party grading services is recommended. Leading services such as Paper Money Guaranty (PMG) and Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS Banknote) offer authentication and grading. The process involves submitting the bill to these services, where experts examine it for genuineness and assign a grade based on condition. This professional assessment provides an objective evaluation of the bill’s state and confirms authenticity, which is vital for determining market value.

Professional grading offers benefits, including a standardized, impartial assessment that enhances marketability and liquidity. Graded bills are encapsulated in secure, tamper-evident holders, protecting them from damage and preserving their assigned grade. While online price guides and auction results can provide general estimates, a professional appraisal is necessary for a definitive valuation, particularly for rare items where condition and specific features influence the price.