If you're interested in finding out how much your 1985 $20 bill is worth, it's important to have an accurate appraisal. Knowing its true value can help you make informed decisions about whether to sell it, keep it, or add it to your collection.

When understanding the 1985 20-dollar bill worth, it is essential to understand other basic concepts of this currency. Here is a comprehensive guide on the worth of the 1985 20-dollar bill and some basic concepts of the currency that are important to note. Read on.

The 1985 20-dollar bill is common, so that the value may be reasonable. Since their printing between 1985 and 1990, the 20-dollar bill has maintained similar design features. It has also held its value over the years.

However, the announcement by the Treasury Secretary to replace the 1985 dollar bill with one Harriet Tubman might affect the value of this currency. The 1985 20-dollar bill also has unique features and combined errors in its printing.


How Much Is a 1985 $20 Bill Worth?

The worth of a 20-dollar bill depends on its condition, rarity, and grading of the bill. The circulated FRN of any worth is in grades of  “Very Fine” or “Extremely Fine.” The bills are of good quality and will reasonably crisp with no tears or damage. The 1985 20-dollar bill, not being so rare, its value is not much higher than its face value.

Most of the 1985 20-dollar bills that have few fold marks on the surface are always worth about $25. But the less quality FRN graded “Fair” or “Fine” is not usually higher than the face value, $20.

The undistributed version of the 1985 20-dollar bill is always more than the circulated version. Uncirculated or crisp uncirculated is brand new notes with no tear or damage. It has sharp corners and is valued at about  $40 to $50. These notes have not aged and are rare, hence their high value.


1985 20-Dollar Star Note

1985 20-Dollar Star Note

The 1985 20-dollar bill also has a star note worth more than the original. The circulated version of the star notes is worth double the value of the regular 1985 20-dollar bill. It can also depend on the condition of the note. Circulated versions in bad shape can be taken at face value. The uncirculated versions of the star note that are grade MS 63 have a value between $85 and $90.

The star notes are notes that were printed during the replacement of the faulty notes that were in circulation. Because they are rare and few have been printed, these dollar bills are more valuable than regular ones.

To identify a star note, you look at the serial number. The serial number has a star to its right. It also has a black seal to the left of the image of President Jackson with a C in the middle. The bank of the Federal Reserve in Philadelphia was responsible for printing the star dollar note.


How Does the 1985 20-Dollar Bill Look?

Identifying the 1985 20-dollar bill is crucial in knowing you got the right one. The following are the features of the 1985 20-dollar bill.

  • President Jacksons’s portrait – The 1985 20-dollar bill has the image of President Jackson on the left side.
  • Size – the 1985 20-dollar bill has the same size as any other 20-dollar bill. After 1929, the Federal Reserve reduced the size of a 20-dollar bill to 6.14 x 2.61 inches. The move was to ensure that the note felt lighter.
  • The 1985 20-dollar bill has a black adhesive with a letter referring to the bank that circulates Federal Reserve notes.

The Printing Errors of 1985 20 Dollar Bill

During printing, some of the 1985 20-dollar bills had some printing errors that made them stand out from the rest. The price of 1985 will vary according to its condition and unique feature combinations. Here are some of the error combinations of the 1985 20-dollar bill.


1. Center of Two Notes Error

Center of Two Notes Error

The center of two notes error features the middle proportion of identical notes with the same serial number printed sideways on paper. This error type can be in different forms.

  • The note is a combination of portions of two separate notes – This is a common error where the note is well proportioned that it creates an almost perfect patchwork of near-equal halves. An example of a note with such an error was selling for $2160 during an auction in 2022.
  • A whole note and attached variably-sized portions from three other notes – Unlike the first error type, where the proportion of the different notes is almost equal, this second error form has one complete note and parts of the other three notes. An example of such a 1985 20-dollar note goes for $2300.

2. Type II Error of Inverted Back

Type II Error of Inverted Back

This error appeared on a dollar from the District of Cleveland with a Gem 66 EPQ bill. The note had an inverted back type II error. The printing error made the note unique, and its quality increased—it sold for at least $2,000.


3. Double Printing Error 

Double Printing Error 

A 1985 20-dollar bill had a double printing error on the right side serial number. The dollar bill was from the Federal Reserve of the Richmond District. Due to its rarity, the note sold for $2,600.


4. Third print Star Note

The third print is an overprinting error where the features of a note appear at the back of the note. This error appeared on a star note of the San Francisco 20-dollar bill. The dollar note goes for $4320.

The error occurs when an uncut sheet of notes in the overprinting press prints serials, district numbers, and the Federal Reserve and Treasury seals. When the error occurs, the notes come out the observe of the note facing the overprinting press rather than away from it.


Conclusion

1985 20 dollar is a unique dollar made from a mixture of linen and cotton and little red and blue security fibers. Identifying this note and its unique features will help you bargain and sell your note at a reasonable price. It is essential to know when you have a regular version of the note or the star note version to see the value of your note when buying or selling.

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