Speak UpA Former Division of UnderConsideration
The Archives, August 2002 – April 2009
advertise @ underconsideration
---Click here for full archive list or browse below
  
Got Change for a Twenty?

A day late, but still newsworthy:

The United States today (May, 13, 2003) introduced its new $20 bill, for the first time in history adding color to the classic Andrew Jackson in a gentle, pastel blending of blue, peach and green designed to be as attractive to the eye as it is confounding to counterfeiters. — The Washington Post

The main reason for the change was the excessive amount of counterfeiting of the $20 bill, accounting for almost $44 Million (think what that could do for the AIGA - I know, low blow.)

Can you spot the differences?

Here are a few of the changes:

- Subtle shadings of blue, green and peach that “weave seamlessly across” the face and back of the bill.

- President Jackson has been removed from the oval frame.

- The words TWENTY USA, USA TWENTY below the U.S. Treasury emblem on the right have been added.

Man, talk about a tough client.

Thanks to Jonsel for the topic

* Bonus: I found this while googling.

Maintained through our ADV @ UnderConsideration Program
ENTRY DETAILS
ARCHIVE ID 1450 FILED UNDER Critique
PUBLISHED ON May.14.2003 BY Armin
WITH COMMENTS
Comments
griff’s comment is:

these stupid big head dollars still creep me out.

On May.14.2003 at 09:41 AM
Darrel’s comment is:

I can't say the wavy sans-serif type in the background is very classy.

On May.14.2003 at 10:44 AM
omit’s comment is:

The money gets uglier and uglier.

On May.14.2003 at 10:46 AM
steven’s comment is:

I think it's kind of nice to add a small bit of color into the bills to add a little bit of interest. However, hopefully the won't go overboard in the future and create Monopoly money like other countries have done. They don't even look like real currency.

It still isn't very pretty though. As long as old men heads are on them I doubt they ever will be pretty. Gotta love traditions.

On May.14.2003 at 11:48 AM
jonsel’s comment is:

I believe they have reached the point where the need for sophisticated anti-counterfeiting techniques requires the old-school design of the notes to be seriously updated. This most recent iteration is such a clash between new and old with it's spectral background hues and dull green engraved imagery. There's got to be a way to move to a European-style of currency design without losing the American-ness of our greenbacks.

On May.14.2003 at 11:51 AM
Tan’s comment is:

The money gets uglier and uglier.

I agree -- but it makes it easier for me to spend it. It holds no design value for me.

For example, i remember receiving a calendar in 95 that Tolleson had designed for Fox River. The damn thing was gorgeous -- so I couldn't bear to write in it. Damn design fetishism.

One cool thing about all the new bills is the microprinting -- how do they do that shit?

On May.14.2003 at 11:56 AM
Tan’s comment is:

...if you want to see the back of the new $20 , and try printing it out to be the first counterfeitor in your office.

On May.14.2003 at 12:32 PM
felix’s comment is:

new slogan:

"as queer as a (new) 20 dollar bill"

who knew Jackson had such sumptuous, rosey skin? Mmmm. All he needs

now is a cheekjob, nosepinch and chin tuck and learn to like toddlers.

Gotta love our Jacksons. If only

Andrew was part of the Five....

On May.14.2003 at 12:46 PM
rebecca’s comment is:

Oh great! We're totally blowing the budget!

[I was just wondering the other day how much using only two inks on our currency contributes to our national bottom line.]

On May.14.2003 at 01:57 PM
Tan’s comment is:

...aah, I knew someone would do it. Don't ask, just go.

On May.14.2003 at 05:15 PM
felix’s comment is:

awesome! must be off the latest disk (its terrible).

On May.14.2003 at 05:35 PM
jonsel’s comment is:

I knew someone would do it. Don't ask, just go.

Now if only they had ink that would fade to white...

On May.14.2003 at 07:45 PM
Sam’s comment is:

From the archives, here's a piece from the NY Times (scan of it, not link to it). Always wondered who was actually making the money, so to speak.

Obituary of Frank Gasparro, an Engraver at the Mint, NYT 10/3/01

On May.14.2003 at 10:23 PM
Todd’s comment is:

I have to say I was relieved to see what they came up with. Personally, I like the "classic" look of American money, especially in comparison with the modern direction other countries have followed. In light of the ridiculous crap they've been creating for the 50 States series of quarters, I think the new $20 is rather dignified. And I like that they made Jackson's head even bigger, so big it broke out of the frame he was in!

On May.15.2003 at 08:32 AM
John Butler’s comment is:

The portrait of Jon Pertwee is rather nice. I hope they put Tom Baker on the new 50. What country are these bills for, again?

On May.19.2003 at 10:41 PM