United States Currency Program to Produce Nonsequential $20 Straps
April 16, 2025
The United States Currency Program (USCP), made up of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, is modernizing its banknote production equipment. Serial number patterns in straps produced by updated printing equipment may contain gaps and may no longer be in consecutive sequence.
The USCP recently began producing $20 denominations on its new equipment. Starting in June, nonsequential straps of the $20 will be available based on local inventories and distribution schedules.
Further details
- This multiyear printing transition began in 2023 with the $1 bill and is being phased in by denomination. Until the transition ends, both sequential and nonsequential straps should be expected.
- In nonsequential straps, the first Federal Reserve note is not expected to have a serial number ending in “01.” Similarly, the last Federal Reserve note is not expected to have a serial number ending in “00.”
- The USCP’s new equipment does not produce the star notes that replace imperfect notes in a strap of Federal Reserve notes. However, traditional banknote production equipment will continue to produce star notes until further notice.
- All Federal Reserve notes, including star notes, will remain legal tender and worth face value regardless of when they were issued.
For questions about this update, please contact uscurrency@frb.gov.