1934 $20 Dollar Bill Value: How Much is it Worth Today?

Collectible coins and banknotes are a big draw for people who want to get into the world of collecting. The notes have a face value, but many old copies are worth hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars.

The 1934 $20 bill is a collectible bill with numerous options for purchase and sale on the collectors market. However, to get the most out of this ticket, several factors must be considered.

In this article, we will provide you with all of the information you need to know about the 1934 $20 dollar value. You will learn about its history, composition, design, grading criteria, and the flaws that make this banknote a desired item among collectors.

1934 $20 Dollar Bill Value Chart
Series	$20 Dollar Bills in uncirculated condition	$20 Dollar Bills in circulated condition	$20 Dollar Bills with a star
1934 with a green seal (Old Money Prices)	$100	$30 to $40	$225
1934 with a brown seal from Hawaii(Old Money Prices)	$1,250	$75 to $125	$3000
1934 with a green sea (Silver Recyclers)	$70 to $115	$20 to $50	$85 to $675
1934 A with a green sea (Silver Recyclers)	–	–	$75 to $150
1934 B with a green sea (Silver Recyclers)	–	–	$125 to $650
1934 C with a green sea (Silver Recyclers)	–	–	$80 to $450
1934 D with a green sea (Silver Recyclers)	–	–	$110 to $625
1934 with a brown seal from Hawaii (Silver Recyclers)	$2,500	$125 to $300	Thousands of dollars.
1934 A with a brown seal from Hawaii (Silver Recyclers)	$775	$110 to $165	Thousands of dollars.
1934 with green seal (Variety & Errors)	$75	$25 to $35	$175
1934 A, B, C, and D with a green seal (Variety & Errors)	$40 to $75	$20 to $35	$300 to $500
1934 Hawaii with a brown seal (Variety & Errors)	$1,000+	$50 to $150	$2,000
1934 A Hawaii with a brown seal (Variety & Errors)	$900	$30 to $60	$2,000+

1934 $20 Dollar Bill Value

The $20 dollar bill with President Jackson’s portrait on the obverse is one of the most interesting bills to collect; it also has many variants, particularly those printed for the exclusive use of Hawaii and the Pacific region, which are extremely valuable and highly sought after by collectors.

The 1934 $20 bill not only retains its nominal value, but the most common copies can be sold for at least $30, or 50% more than its nominal value. However, if you own one of these notes in good condition or uncirculated condition, the open market price for such copies will only rise further.

Banknotes, unlike coins, do not have mintmarks to identify where they were printed, and printing errors are extremely rare today due to the strict control used to print banknotes.

However, collectors have been able to compensate for the lack of distinguishing features that make a piece unique by adding value to certain banknotes.

That is why, if you have a 1934 $20 bill, you should check the serial number. Certain serial numbers are extremely valuable.

Collectors are always looking for low numbers, from the first bill in the series to the first hundred. They look for unique numbers as well, such as personal birthdays, repeating numbers, or ladders. We will expand on this knowledge when we discuss errors.

Now we’ll look at the main features of the 1934 $20 bill.

Details

The 1934 20-dollar bill was created by the United States Bureau of Engraving and Printing. On the obverse is Andrew Jackson, the seventh president of the United States of America. The main image of the White House appears on the back of the bill.

75% cotton and 25% linen make up the bill. There are also several series of banknotes. Every time the secretary of the treasury or treasurer changes positions, a new series must be created with the updated signatures of those who hold the position, which is why the 20 dollar bill has the series: 1934, 1934 A, 1934 B, 1934 C, 1934 D, and a couple of series issued only to Hawaii.

Hawaii banknotes are precious and highly collectible. They are distinguished from the other banknotes by their brown seals, whereas the seals on all other banknotes of the various series are green.

The note measures 2.60937 inches (66.28 mm) in height and 6.14062 inches in width (156 mm). It has raised printing and red and blue security fibers to prevent counterfeiting and weighs 0.03527 ounces (1 g).

Obverse

The obverse of the $20 bill depicts President Andrew Jackson. He has the number 20 repeated four times in each of the bill’s four corners. It also has the word TWENTY printed in the same place as the seal as a watermark.

Since 1934 notes were printed exclusively for Hawaii following the attack on Pearl Harbor, the seal of the notes of 20 dollars is of two colors. The seal on Hawaiian bills is brown, while the rest are green.

The serial number is also printed twice. In the bottom left and top right corners of the bill. Another factor to consider when determining the value of banknotes is serial numbers.

It is easier to find errors and characteristics that distinguish a coin, and the minting process is prone to errors that cannot be detected immediately. That does not happen with tickets because they are printed and subject to stricter controls.

That is why collectors have made each serial number unique. There are variations in scales, binary numbers, or commemorative or personal dates that are highly sought after.

As a result, it’s always a good idea to double-check the serial number on your ticket. Keep an eye out for any unusual patterns that could be valuable.

Reverse

The 20-dollar bill has the image of the White House in the center on the back. The words THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA are at the top of the bill and the number 20 is on the four corners of the bill. It also has the words TWENTY DOLLARS at the bottom of the bill.

The reverse of the Hawaii bills differs in that the Hawaii overprint spans the entire width of the bill.

History

The 1934 $20 bill has a fascinating history. Previously, 20-dollar bills were unheard of, and what people earned at the time was a very high figure.

Several people had already expressed dissatisfaction with the two- and five-dollar bills that began to be printed in the 18th century. However, the Philadelphia mint issued the first 20-dollar bill in 1775.

Following the American Civil War, the first bills were destroyed. One of these bills is rarely kept in good condition, but the few remaining copies are worth thousands of dollars.

Because the majority of the bills had been destroyed, Congress authorized the printing of a new design in 1861. The Federal Reservation was in charge of printing all $20 bills from then on.

In 1928, the 20-dollar bills were converted into gold certificates, allowing the paper to be exchanged for pure gold. However, because this was only done in 1928, the 1934 banknotes lacked that power.

The 1934 banknotes are divided into two types: those printed regularly and bearing a green seal, and those printed only for Hawaii and the Pacific islands and bearing a brown seal.

This was done as a precautionary measure following the attack on Pearl Harbor. The Americans did not want to take the risk that Hawaii would be taken and the money used by the Japanese.

As a result, tickets to Hawaii were only valid in the Pacific region, and they are now among the most sought-after and highest-priced tickets in public auctions and specialized online stores.

Value

The value of the 1934 20-dollar bills is determined by a variety of factors. We must keep in mind that several series were created, and not all of them were created at the same price. We should also keep in mind that the bills printed for Hawaii have a much higher value than any other bills printed in 1934.

A normal bill with a green seal that has been in circulation but is still in good condition can cost between $30 and $40. That means that just having a 1934 $20 bill can make it worth twice as much as it is.

However, if you were fortunate enough to inherit or possess a bill that has not yet entered circulation, the price rises to $100 for one of those bills.

Tickets in perfect condition from series A to series D can cost up to $75 each. However, if you have an old bill, you can still get around $35 or $40 for one of them.

Finally, there are the most expensive printed tickets for Hawaii on the market. In good condition, one of these bills can be worth up to a thousand dollars. Uncirculated bills range in price from 2,000 to 3,000 dollars. And those with a unique feature, such as a star in the serial number, cost more than $5,000.

But if you were lucky enough to inherit or have a bill that has not entered circulation, then the price goes up to $100 for one of those bills.

Bills with printing errors must be reprinted, but the United States does not allow two bills with the same serial number, so they are replaced. That is why a star is placed on any bill with a double serial number, which collectors prize the most.

There are also Hawaii Series A tickets, which are less popular but still sell for $700 to $900.

1934 $20 Dollar Bill Grading

It is critical that you understand all of the variations that contribute to the value of a 1934 $20 bill. Remember that it is not only the state of conservation that is important, but also the origin, serial numbers, and any errors that may exist.

That is why we have included a video that will go over all of the details that you must consider when evaluating a 20-dollar bill from 1934.

Rare1934 $20 Dollar Bill Error List

Errors in banknotes are uncommon; in general, few are discovered due to strict production control. However, if you’re lucky, you might find some copies with two different serial numbers, but this is extremely rare. One of these tickets can cost as much as $500.

The banknotes with a star in the serial number are the most valuable. Because two bills with the same number cannot be issued in the United States, a star is added to replace the matching number. You should budget at least a few thousand dollars for one of these copies in good condition.

1934 $20 Dollar Bill FAQ

Is a $20 dollar bill from 1934 worth anything?

Green seal bills cost from $30 to $40, while uncirculated bills can be worth $75 to $100 each.

How can you tell if a 1934 20 bill is real?

There is a seal visible against the light on the Federal Reserve Bank’s seal. It’s a thread with the letters USA and the word TWENTY on it. To ensure that it is correct, the string should be visible from both sides of the bill.

Bring an ultraviolet light close to the bill and observe how the thread turns green when illuminated with ultraviolet light.

How can you tell if a $20 bill is rare?

To determine the rarity, look at the specific errors they have. The state of conservation is also important. In general, old bills are sought after, but there are exceptions, such as the 1934 Hawaii bills, which can fetch thousands of dollars due to their scarcity.

You should also consider the serial number. Collectors seek out uncommon combinations or the lowest-numbered numbers.

Can you still use old $20 dollar bills?

Yes, all coins in the United States are still legal, regardless of when they were issued.