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..There’s a new dollar bill on the block. A Harriet Tubman 20 dollar bill. Many collectors are ecstatic to get their hands on a new arrival.
But when will Harriet Tubman be on the 20 dollar bill? This article will try to answer this question. The timeline, design details, and political developments are included.
Are you collecting coins? This coin identifier will analyze any collectible in a second!
The Timeline
So, how did the 20 dollar bill Harriet Tubman start? Here’s a basic timeline of the events:
April 20, 2016. The U.S. Treasury announced plans to add Tubman to the front of the twenty-dollar bill. Thus, the old design featuring President Andrew Jackson would move to the rear.
At that moment, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing had to start the redesign process. After 2020, the new bill would arrive.
April 21, 2016, Donald Trump mentioned during the interview: "Andrew Jackson had a great history, and I think it's very rough when you take somebody off the bill. Andrew Jackson had a history of tremendous success for the country... I would love to leave Andrew Jackson and see if we can maybe come up with another denomination.”
In 2017, the Trump administration officially announced it would not revise the $20 bill. The old design will stay the same, with Andrew Jackson.
In 2019, the Trump administration declared that a new design for the $20 bill would not come earlier than 2028.
In January 2021, Secretary Jen Psaki mentioned that the Treasury Department was resuming the process of placing Tubman on the bills.
So what happened to Harriet Tubman 20 dollar bill? It was delayed. Considering that at this moment, Donald Trump is the president of the US, and he has some problems with this change, the delay will continue.
About Harriet Tubman
Who is this legendary woman?
Harriet Tubman (1822–1913) was born into slavery in Dorchester County, Maryland. She endured horrific abuse and lived a hard life. Around 1849, she escaped slavery by fleeing to the North, eventually reaching Pennsylvania, a free state.
After gaining her freedom, Tubman risked her life repeatedly to save other enslaved people. She returned to the South and led people through the Underground Railroad, a secret network of safe houses and supporters.
She made at least 13 missions, helping around 70 enslaved people escape. She earned the nickname “Moses” because she led her people to freedom, much like the biblical figure.
During the Civil War, she helped her country by working as a nurse and cooking for the army. She even did scouting missions when the war was closing. She was praised for her "patriotism, sagacity, energy, [and] ability".
After the war, Tubman settled in Auburn, New York, where she continued fighting for justice. She advocated for women’s suffrage and worked alongside figures like Susan B. Anthony, who appeared on the 1981 Anthony dollar.
All in all, Tubman was a courageous woman who brought kindness into the world. And she more than deserves to be an icon for the $20 dollar bill.
Harriet Tubman 20 Dollar Bill Design
As of now, there is no finalized, official design for Harriet Tubman on the 20 dollar bill. At least none were released to the public.
We could only wonder what design the Treasury could bring, if any (we still can't be sure if the bill ever comes out).
Most likely, her portrait would be drawn by an artist from one of her old photos. Fans and speculators have already made some “test” designs.
Harriet Tubman Coin
Is Harriet Tubman on the 20 dollar bill? Not yet, unfortunately. But she did make an appearance on a Harriet Tubman 1 dollar.
Tubman’s was used for the Commemorative Coin series. The coins follow the three periods of Tubman’s life and work. There are:
½ Silver Dollar: depicts her work as a conductor on the Underground Railroad.
1 Silver Dollar: depicts her service during the Civil War.
5 Dollars (Gold): represents her work after the War.
The main characteristics of the Tubman coin (silver) | |
Country | United States |
Years of Minting | 2024 |
Type: | Non-circulating commemorative |
Shape: | Round |
Composition and metal content | Copper-nickel clad (½ silver piece), 99% Silver (silver piece), 99% Gold (gold piece) |
Diameter | 30.60 mm (½ silver), 38.1 mm (silver), 21.6 mm (gold) |
Weight | 11.34 g (½ silver), 26.73 g (silver), 8.359 g (gold) |
The Mints | Philadelphia Mint, Denver Mint, San Francisco Mint, West Point Mint |
Harriet Tubman 20 Dollar Bill Release Date
According to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, 2030 is the year when the Tubman dollar will be released.
The change of Harriet Tubman $20 dollar bill release date is unlikely. If the Bureau postpones it again, there could be counterfeiting concerns. Hopefully, we’ll see this design in its true glory.
Why does it take so long for Harriet Tubman on 20 dollar bill?
Security Measures: The Advanced Counterfeit Deterrence Committee and others prioritize advanced security features. The most secure way is to update denominations in sequence. The sequence is: $10 (2026), $50 (2028), $20 (2030), $5 (2032), and $100 (2034).
Complex Calendar: Redesigning is a lengthy, multi-year process. Especially considering how passionate and loud supporters of the Tubman dollar are.
Legislative Support: U.S. Congress passed measures (like the 2023 Women on the Twenty Act) that would mandate design updates and preliminary design reviews. It’s hard to quicken this official process.
Counterfeits and Fan Designs
Collectors, suffragists, and traders all want to get a piece of the Tubman’s $20. Not every day a banknote gets a new look. People are curious.
This led to the surge of fan design and, unfortunately, counterfeit attempts.
It’s hard to say whether there’s malice behind these designs. Many people really want a 20 dollar bill with Harriet Tubman. Not for collecting and/or reselling, but for the legendary woman herself. Plus, the prices are lower than face value, $2-5, so you’re not being robbed big time, at least.
Want to protect yourself? Follow fake-spotting guides. And here’s one of them.
How to Spot Counterfeits
1. Know the Facts
Currently, the U.S. government has not released any official Tubman $20 bill as of mid-2025.
So any current Tubman bill is either a fan-made novelty art (legal to own but not legal tender) or a counterfeit.
2. Feel the Paper
Real U.S. money is printed on a unique cotton-linen blend.
If the bill feels rough or it’s not smooth or shiny, the bill is likely a fake.
3. Look for Security Features
Watermark: Hold the bill to the light, and a faint image of Jackson should be visible on the right side.
Security Thread: There should be a strip to the left of a portrait. It glows green under UV light and says “USA TWENTY”.
Microprinting: Tiny text like “USA20” near the portrait and border, visible with a magnifier. Hopefully, you have one in your collecting supplies.
4. Check the Serial Numbers
The serial number is to the right of the portrait. The numbers should be evenly spaced. Sloppy or inconsistent fonts are often signs of a fake.
5. Use a Counterfeit Pen
With a counterfeit pen, you mark starch-based paper. The pen should leave a clear or pale mark on real money.
On fakes, the mark will turn dark brown or black.
5. Buy Only From Trusted Sources
Use well-reviewed coin/currency dealers or marketplaces to sell coins like: PCGS, NGC, GovMint, U.S. Mint.
A platform like eBay is convenient, but most fakes come from there.
Why Do We Need Actual Harriet Tubman 20 Dollar Bill
People are eagerly awaiting this new design. But why?
People want the Harriet Tubman $20 bill released for several powerful and symbolic reasons. It's not just about changing a design, really. It's about representation, justice, and honoring an American hero.
You can say all American currency features white males foremost. Harriet Tubman would bring diversity.
The campaign for Tubman's bill has been decades in the making, with public support accelerating in the 2010s. In 2015, a nationwide vote by the nonprofit Women on 20s selected her. The overwhelming support showed how deeply Americans felt about recognizing real heroes, not just traditional power figures.
Hopefully, this design will come to fruition for all supporters and collectors. And one we’ll think: “Was Harriet Tubman on the 20 dollar bill? Oh yeah, she was. We waited, and she came”.
Coin ID Scanner
Coin ID Scanner is an app that can spot Tubman coins and many others! Here’s a little info about its features:
Image recognition: Upload a photo of your coin to identify country, denomination, minting year, composition, rarity, and estimated market value.
Database: Covers over 150,000 coins, both modern and historical, circulating and commemorative.
Collection management: Your coins are saved in a virtual collection. You can organize your collection and compare it with other users.
AI assistant: Answer coin-related questions, and the assistant provides historical context.
Coins ID Scanner is available on iOS and Android. Free for any users.
FAQ and Answers
Some more questions left?
Who Is on The $20 Dollar Bill Harriet Tubman?
It’s Harriet Tubman, a brave woman who helped free many enslaved people, supported the women's movement, and fought for the US. The U.S. Treasury announced plans to feature her front of the redesigned $20 bill, replacing President Andrew Jackson, who is currently featured.
Will Harriet Tubman Be on The 20 Dollar Bill?
She should be. At the moment, we only have the announcement and documents. Not even an official design. So we can only wait for her to finally appear.
When Is the Release Date?
You can expect to see this new bill in your wallet in 2030. At the moment, there’s no preorder (2025).
How Much Is for a Tubman Dollar?
As this bill has not yet been released, we don't know the real value. Face value will be $20, of course, but collectors will likely pay more. Like many new bills, the first print runs might have some collector interest, especially for early or special serial numbers.
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