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1985 $20 Federal Reserve Notes Values By Grade
About These Price Ranges
The values shown below are for standard notes only, based on actual eBay and Heritage Auctions data.
IMPORTANT: If your note has any special features such as:
Its value could be significantly higher. Check the "Special Features Value Impact" section below to find your note's potential premium value.
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Special Features Value Impact
From modest premiums to jaw-dropping values—discover which special features can transform ordinary bills into prized collectibles. Explore each feature to see detailed price ranges organized by denomination, note type, and series—all based on verified auction and sales data.
$2 1976 Federal Reserve Star Note.
What are Star Note?
Replacement bills indicated by a star symbol at the end of the serial number instead of a letter. Printed to replace defective notes during production, they typically represent less than 1% of notes produced. Their relative scarcity compared to regular notes drives their premium value, especially for star notes from smaller print runs or those with fancy serial numbers, which can command significant collector premiums.
Value Chart By Note Denomination & Series
| Deno. | Series | Circulated | Uncirculated | Premium | Check Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $20 | 1985 | - | $33.00 - $39.00 | $58.50 - $126.00 | Find SalesView |
I have 3 $20 bills. All 1985. Sequential SN#’s, and the interesting part is that the missprint on the back of each gets progressively worse. I’m trying to better understand the collection my wife inherited, and this seems to be an interesting one. All 3 appear to be in great shap,e too.
How would I go about assessing the potential value when the unique nature is several layers deep?
Thanks in advance!
Hi Eric — thanks for the great question. What you’re describing can be an interesting type of collectible: a small run of sequential notes that all share the same printing defect, especially when the error becomes progressively stronger across the run.
A few thoughts to help you assess them:
1. Sequential error notes can carry a premium
Collectors like seeing the “story” of how the error developed. A progressive error across consecutive serial numbers is far more desirable than a single random misprint.
2. Condition matters just as much as the error
If all three 1985 $20s are crisp, with no folds or only light handling, that increases the appeal. Older $20s in high grade are already harder to find.
3. Identify the exact type of error
The value depends heavily on what kind of misprint it is (ink smear, over-inking, shift, obstruction, etc.). Clear, bright photos of the backs would help determine this. Some errors are minor; some are dramatic and much more collectible.
4. Look for confirmation that all three were printed on the same sheet
Consecutive serial numbers strongly suggest it, but occasionally notes from different sheets can still be sequential, so details matter. If they truly represent a progressive sheet error, that’s a much stronger case.
5. How to estimate value
You can approach it in three layers:
Many progressive error sets from the 1980s–1990s fall in the $150–$600+ range, depending entirely on the severity and uniqueness of the error, but the spread is wide because each set is unique.
6. Best next step
If you can post (or send) clear photos of the backs of all three notes side-by-side, collectors can help identify the exact error and give you a much more precise value range.
You’re right to pull these aside — sequential progressive errors don’t show up often, and they’re definitely worth taking a closer look at.
I have one $20 bill. 1985 series. But the Teo numbers, that follow the B. I’m not even sure what that is called. But they’re different numbers. One is B3. The other says B266
Hi Chris,
Thanks for your question! On a 1985 $20 Federal Reserve Note, the first letter B indicates the note was issued by the New York Federal Reserve District. The numbers that come after the “B” are part of what’s called the block or position identifiers — they help the Bureau of Engraving and Printing track where a note was printed on a large sheet before being cut down to individual bills.
Normally, the block/position information will be consistent across the note. If you’re seeing “B3” in one place and “B266” in another, the key question is whether both appear on the same bill or if you’re just comparing two different notes:
If both are on the same note: That could indicate a misprint, which might make it collectible and worth a closer look by an error-note specialist.
If they’re from two separate notes: Then it’s normal — each note on a sheet has a different position number.
A clear photo of the note (front and back) would help determine if this is simply normal variation or a true printing error.
The 2 different B numbers, are on the same bill. There’s a large 1 in all 4 corners. But then B3 and B266, are diagonally across each other
Hi Chris, thanks for clarifying — that helps a lot! 😊
A quick note first: on a $20 bill, the large numbers printed in all four corners should say “20”, not “1.” If you’re really seeing a “1” in the corners, it could actually be a $1 bill from 1985 rather than a $20. It might just be a mix-up, so it’s worth double-checking the denomination printed on the bill itself (look for “Twenty Dollars” or “One Dollar” across the front).
Now about the B3 and B266 you mentioned:
These are not part of the serial number. They’re called plate or position numbers, and they identify which printing plates and sheet positions were used when your note was made at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.
It’s completely normal for the two plate numbers on the same bill to be different. They’re supposed to be — one relates to the face plate, the other to the back plate or position on the sheet.
So the good news is: what you’re seeing isn’t an error. It’s just part of the normal printing process. Still, it’s very cool that you noticed it — most people overlook these tiny details!
Ooohkay! That makes alot more sense now. I’m almost positive that the $20 bill, does have the 4 large ones, in each corner. I dont see a 20 anywhere. I’m currently not home, but eill confirm once I get there. Lol wild! I do appreciate all your help & you taking the time to explain that to me!
I have two 20 dolar bills from 1985 wich i found while remodeling my house. They haven’t been used since somewhere inbetween 1985 and 1990. And i wanted to know if they have some value.
It depends on the condition (grade) of the bills, serial numbers (whether they are fancy serial numbers), and whether they are star notes. For regular 1985 $20 bills in circulated condition, they might be worth around $25-30 each.