$600+ Rare $20 Bill Error
You Might Have a $600 $20 Bill in Your Wallet! 
Most people spend their old $20 bills without a second thought — but some of them are worth hundreds of dollars because of rare printing mistakes made at the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing.
These error notes are often hiding in plain sight, and collectors are paying $100–$600+ for them. Here’s how to tell if you’ve got one!
Top 3 Valuable $20 Bill Printing Errors
Gutter Fold Error — Value: ~$138
When a bill folds accidentally during printing, the ink skips across the crease, leaving a blank or streak-like white area.
- Looks like damage, but it’s actually a printing defect
- Common on older notes — still brings good money
- Recent sale: $138 at auction
Tip: Don’t confuse this with a normal crease — look for missing ink lines along the fold!
Misplaced Black Seal — Value: ~$140
Focus on the black Treasury seal on the left front side of the bill.
- If it’s shifted or not where it should be, that’s a misalignment error
- The rest of the design can appear perfectly normal
- A single misplaced seal sold for $140 recently!
Collectors love alignment errors because they’re instantly visible and unique.
Missing Front Seal (Overprint Error) — Value: ~$600+
This is the jackpot of $20 bill errors.
- Some notes are missing the black or green seals on the front, even though the serial numbers are still printed
- Known as an overprint error
- One sold for a whopping $600, and pristine examples can fetch even more!
Why These Error Bills Are Valuable
Printing errors are extremely rare, especially on older series
Collectors pay more for obvious visual mistakes
Even circulated or slightly worn notes can hold strong value
If it looks weird — don’t spend it. You could be holding a mini treasure!
Tips for Spotting & Protecting Rare Error Bills
Inspect both sides carefully — missing or misplaced designs = potential error
Check seals and serial numbers for misalignment
Do NOT fold, press, or clean your bill
Store flat in a protective currency sleeve
Get it authenticated by a reputable grading service or paper money expert
Final Word
Older $20 bills can be worth far more than face value if they contain rare printing errors like:
- Gutter folds
- Misplaced seals
- Missing overprints
So before you spend that old $20, take a closer look — you might have a $600+ collector’s note hiding in your wallet right now!
