How to Tell if a Twenty-Dollar Bill Is Fake
Equip yourself with the knowledge to identify genuine twenty-dollar bills. Understand the essential characteristics that distinguish real currency from fakes.
Encountering counterfeit currency can pose a financial risk. The U.S. government continuously updates currency designs with advanced security features to deter counterfeiting. Understanding these features is important for protecting yourself and maintaining the integrity of financial transactions.
General Indicators of Authenticity
Genuine U.S. currency possesses distinct tactile and visual characteristics that are difficult for counterfeiters to replicate. Authentic banknotes are printed on a unique blend of 75% cotton and 25% linen, giving them a crisp, slightly rough texture that differs significantly from ordinary paper.
Another important indicator is the raised printing, also known as intaglio printing, which can be felt on certain areas of a genuine bill. For instance, if you lightly drag your fingernail over the portrait or the Federal Reserve seal, you should perceive a subtle raised texture. This raised ink is a hallmark of authentic currency that most standard printing methods cannot reproduce.
Genuine bills exhibit sharp, clear, and precise print quality with intricate details and unbroken lines. Counterfeit bills often have blurred or smudged fine lines, particularly around the borders and within the intricate designs of the seals.
Specific Security Features
The $20 bill incorporates several specific security features designed to make counterfeiting difficult. One such feature is the watermark, a faint image of President Andrew Jackson embedded in the paper itself. This watermark is visible from both sides of the bill when held up to a light, appearing in the blank space to the right of the portrait.
An embedded security thread runs vertically to the left of the portrait on the $20 bill. When held to light, this thread reveals the repeating text “USA TWENTY” and a small flag. This security thread also glows green when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light, a characteristic that counterfeit threads lack.
The color-shifting ink is visible on the numeral “20” located in the lower right corner on the front of the bill. When you tilt the bill, this numeral changes color, shifting from copper to green. This optical variable ink is challenging for counterfeiters to mimic accurately.
Microprinting, consisting of tiny text, is strategically placed in various areas on the $20 bill. For example, “USA20” is printed within the border of the portrait, and “THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 20 USA 20” can be found on the border below the Treasurer’s signature. These microscopic words require magnification to read clearly and appear blurred or illegible on many fake bills.
Actions to Take with Suspect Currency
If you suspect you have received a counterfeit twenty-dollar bill, handle the situation carefully and responsibly. Never attempt to re-circulate or knowingly pass on suspect currency, as doing so is illegal and can lead to criminal charges, including potential federal imprisonment for up to 20 years and substantial fines.
The U.S. Secret Service is responsible for investigating counterfeiting, and knowingly using fake money is considered a serious offense. To preserve potential evidence, limit handling the suspect bill as much as possible, placing it in an envelope or protective sleeve. Note details about how you received the bill, including who gave it to you, the time, date, and location of the transaction. This information can be valuable for law enforcement.
Contact your local police department or the nearest U.S. Secret Service field office to report the suspected counterfeit currency. These agencies will provide guidance on how to submit the bill for examination. Be aware that if the bill is confirmed to be counterfeit, you will likely not be reimbursed for its face value, as Federal Reserve Banks do not accept deposits of counterfeit currency.