1950 Twenty Dollar Bill
What is the 1950 $20 dollar bill value? In most cases, a twenty dollar bill from 1950 will be worth its face value, or up to perhaps double that if in uncirculated condition. There are certain exceptions, however.
If the bill has a particular serial number, a misprint or is a star note the bill may increase in desirability and value to collectors. A consecutive run of at least fifty bills will often be valued over its collective sum.
Fancy Serial Numbers
There are a number of special serial numbers, known as “fancy” serial numbers to collectors. Bills with these unique or notable serial numbers are often valued higher than their more mundane counterparts.
In some cases, these fancy serial numbers could add thousands of dollars in value although the value of a bill is always influenced by a number of factors.
Very Low Serial Numbers
If the serial number is very low, meaning all the numerals are zero except the last one or two digits, the added value could be in the thousands. Not surprisingly, a serial number of A00000001A would add the most value.
“Solid” Serial Numbers
In solid serial numbers every numeral is the same, such as D8888888A. Solid serial numbers are among the most desired of the fancy serial numbers. They are very rare, with solid eights or nines being the most rare and valuable.
Solid serial numbers may potentially add thousands of dollars in value to a bill.
“Flipper” Serial Numbers
Flipper serial numbers read the same upside down or right side up. True flippers can only be made using zeros, sixes, and nines although some collectors will also accept ones and eights.
Flippers will sometimes add ten or twenty dollars in value to a bill.
“Ladder” Serial Numbers
“Ladder” serial numbers include a sequence of consecutive numbers, such as K123456789A. “True” ladders include each number from one to eight. They are very rare, very sought after and very valuable.
Less valuable variations may include numbers such as B00034567D or reverse ladders such as A87654321B.
Binary Serial Numbers
Binary serial numbers are made up entirely of ones and zeros, such as A01000110B. Some collectors will also accept serial numbers that are made up of only two digits, other than one and zero. There are a lot of factors that might determine how much value a binary or two-digit serial number might add.
“Repeater” Serial Numbers
Repeater serial numbers repeat two four-digit numbers, such as A14451445D. They don’t always add a lot of value, but in some special cases, they may enhance a bill’s value by up to twenty or forty dollars.
“Radar” Serial Numbers
Radar serial numbers are palindromic numbers, meaning that they read the same backwards as forwards. One example is A54455445A. While rather common among modern notes, they are considered somewhat rarer in notes printed before 1958.
They can be especially valuable if there is something else interesting about their serial number, such as they are also ladders, binaries or repeaters.
Seven Zero Serial Numbers
Serial numbers featuring seven zeros and only one non-zero digit, such as L00050000B are often valued by collectors.
Serial numbers that begin with a non-zero digit followed by seven zeros, such as A10000000A, are exceedingly rare and valuable.
1950 20 Dollar Bill Misprints and Errors
Misprints are rare. Generally speaking, the more significant the misprint, the greater the added value. Misprints can include seals or serial numbers that are shifted to one side or the other. It is especially valuable if it covers Andrew Jackson’s face!
Another valuable misprint can occur if the seal or serial number is printed on the back of the bill rather than the front.
Misprints are significantly more valuable in notes of uncirculated quality.
“Star Note” Serial Numbers
Star notes have serial numbers that begin or end with a star symbol. They were printed in order to replace notes that were misprinted.
Star notes from 1950 and newer are not as rare or valuable as older bills, but in some cases still can increase the note’s value.
Which Factors Influence the 1950 20 Dollar Bill Value?
There are many factors that influence a particular bill’s overall value. The most important of which are its rarity, condition and any errors in printing. Of course, much of the value depends on the taste and preference of each individual collector.
Most collectors consider any twenty dollar bill from 1950 forward to be of the modern era, the most common and therefore the least collectible. However, considering that most twenty dollar bills must be replaced after only eight years in circulation, the rarity of older bills is increasing with each passing day.
Depending on the condition and the personal preferences of individual collectors, the amount of value added by printing errors or fancy serial numbers can range from modest to significant.
What is the Value of an Uncirculated Bill $20 Dollar Bill?
Uncirculated bills are those that are in perfect condition. They are completely flat, having never been folded. They are bright and clean, with no blemishes or discoloration. They are sometimes described as “mint”, “perfect”, “brand new” or “never touched”.
Bills in uncirculated condition are valued significantly more than those in circulated condition.
How Many Twenty Dollar Bills Were Produced in 1950?
There were five series of 1950 twenty dollar bills printed. Each series included a green seal and a percentage of star serial numbers.
1950 Series
513,448,000 notes were produced in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Kansas City, Minneapolis, New York, Philadelphia, Richmond, San Francisco and St. Louis. Notes from this series were delivered to the Federal Reserve between 1950 and 1953.
1950A Series
487,472,000 notes were produced in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Kansas City, Minneapolis, New York, Philadelphia, Richmond, San Francisco and St. Louis. Notes from this series were delivered to the Federal Reserve between 1953 and 1957.
1950B Series
387,040,000 notes were produced in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Kansas City, Minneapolis, New York, Philadelphia, Richmond, San Francisco and St. Louis. Notes from this series were delivered to the Federal Reserve between 1957 and 1961.
1950C Series
263,800,000 notes were produced in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Kansas City, Minneapolis, New York, Philadelphia, Richmond, San Francisco and St. Louis. Notes from this series were delivered to the Federal Reserve between 1961 and 1963.
1950D Series
307,120,000 notes were produced in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Kansas City, Minneapolis, New York, Philadelphia, Richmond, San Francisco and St. Louis. Notes from this series were delivered to the Federal Reserve between 1963 and 1965.
1950E Series
26,640,000 notes were produced in Chicago, New Yor, and San Francisco. Notes from this series were delivered to the Federal Reserve between 1965 and 1966.
Where to Buy and Sell Bills?
EBay is a popular marketplace for buying and selling rare bills.
With a quick glance at eBay, it is easy to find 1950 twenty dollar bills selling in the $30-$300 range, some for even more.
There are also a number of websites that specialize in buying and selling bills. When buying or selling bills online, providing imaging of the exact bill is imperative for the collector to be able to see its traits and judge its desirability.
There are also collectors in brick and mortar businesses in some locations.
Make sure you check out our 1928 $2 dollar bill value analysis as well as our 2013 $2 dollar bill value.