SERIES 1985 20 DOLLAR BILL SERIAL NUMBER LOOKUP SERIES
The first letter of the serial number corresponds to the series year (see chart). The smaller green metallic eagle to the lower right of the portrait is a relatively modern illustration, made with the same raised-ink intaglio process as the portrait, numerals, and engravings.Ī new series year designation is necessary when the note's appearance undergoes a major change, when the signatures of the Secretary of the Treasury or the Treasurer change, or when there is a significant gap in production times.Ī unique combination of 11 numbers and letters appears twice on the front of each redesigned note. The large blue eagle in the background to the left of President Andrew Jackson's portrait represents the eagles drawn and sculpted during President Jackson's time. For example, two American eagles appear on the front of the $20 note. The 2004 series of redesigned notes features different American symbols for each denomination. Hover over FRS map to view indicator symbols. (See chart.) The $1 and $2 notes, which have not been redesigned, feature the individual seal of the issuing Reserve Bank. A letter and number below the left serial number identify the issuing Federal Reserve Bank. On redesigned notes, a seal representing the Federal Reserve System appears to the left of the portrait.
Many of the changes, including a smaller size and more standardized designs, first appeared in 1928 as part of the first set of sweeping changes to the currency. Many physical characteristics of Federal Reserve notes have changed over time since the Federal Reserve first issued the notes in 1914, though the notes retain the traditional look and feel of U.S. You can see the watermark from both sides if you hold the bill up to a light. The slideshow below displays front and back images of the Federal Reserve notes in circulation.Ī watermark is a faint image that is part of the paper itself. currency remains legal tender, regardless of when it was issued. You should know that you do not need to trade in your original notes for the new ones. You can learn more about the redesigned $100 by visiting The new $100 note retains several effective security and design features from the previous redesign in 1996: the portrait watermark of Benjamin Franklin, the security thread, and the color-shifting 100. In addition, the vignette is larger and the oval that used to surround it has been removed. Like the previous $100 note, the redesigned note features a vignette of Independence Hall on the back, but it shows the rear of the building instead of the front. Phrases from the Declaration of Independence and the quill the Founding Fathers used to sign the document are located to the right of the portrait on the front of the note. Like the other redesigned denominations, the $100 note features American symbols of freedom. When you tilt the note, the bell changes from copper to green, making it seem to appear and disappear within the inkwell.
currency to have been redesigned, began circulating on October 8, 2013. A new $100 note, the latest denomination of U.S.