What is a $20 Bill Called? All You Need to Know for Shelving and Storage
Apr, 26 2025
Ever wondered why people sometimes call a $20 bill a 'double sawbuck'? If you’ve worked in retail, banking, or just needed to stash some emergency money at home, you’ve probably heard this odd nickname at least once. The $20 bill goes by a couple of names, but 'double sawbuck' is the most common slang. 'Jackson' is another nickname, borrowed from Andrew Jackson, whose face is right there on the front of the bill.
When you’re working with cash, especially on crowded shelves in a store or a back-office drawer, knowing these nicknames helps avoid confusion. Ever mix up a twenty with a ten when someone shouts 'grab two sawbucks'? It happens more than you’d think. Knowing exactly what they mean can keep things moving quickly and smoothly during a busy shift or cash count.
- What is a $20 Bill Really Called?
- Why Do We Give Bills Nicknames?
- Handling $20 Bills in Shelving Operations
- Smart Ways to Store and Organize Cash
- Common Mistakes When Storing Bills
- Quick Tips for Tracking and Managing Cash
What is a $20 Bill Really Called?
Everyone knows what a $20 bill looks like, but you’ll hear a bunch of names for it, especially in stores, banks, or even at family card night. The most common slang term is double sawbuck. Why double sawbuck? A 'sawbuck' used to mean $10, because the old Roman numeral X (which looks like a sawbuck, or a wooden sawhorse) marked $10 on cash registers. So, 'double sawbuck' just means two tens — or $20.
Another popular name is 'Jackson,' thanks to Andrew Jackson’s face right in the middle. Next time someone says, 'Hand me a Jackson,' just know they mean a $20 bill. It comes up in cash handling, tipping, or organizing bills on shelves for quick transactions. The 20 dollar bill even picks up odd names in different parts of the country, but you probably won’t hear anything much stranger than these.
One thing that surprises people: businesses keep way more $20 bills on hand than other denominations. According to Federal Reserve data, as of 2024 there were over 11 billion $20 bills in circulation in the US. They’re super common in ATMs and cash drawers because they hit that sweet spot between being too small and unwieldy (like fives or ones) and too large for most day-to-day purchases (like fifties or hundreds).
| Denomination | Bills in Circulation (2024) |
|---|---|
| $1 | 14.5 billion |
| $10 | 1.9 billion |
| $20 | 11.3 billion |
| $50 | 2.1 billion |
| $100 | 18.5 billion |
To sum it up, if someone says double sawbuck–that’s a $20 bill. Or they might call it a Jackson. Cashiers, money handlers, and even some collectors use these terms. As the US Department of the Treasury explained,
“The names and faces on currency are influenced by tradition, history, and easy communication, especially in busy commercial spaces.”
Why Do We Give Bills Nicknames?
Giving money nicknames isn’t just for fun—it started as an easy way to make talking about cash quicker and more clear. In high-energy spots like markets, bars, and store stockrooms, saying 'double sawbuck' is snappier than saying 'two ten-dollar bills' or just 'a $20 bill.' It helps avoid cringey cash mix-ups. People have been giving money all sorts of names for years, and it’s not just in the U.S.—this happens all over the world.
The term double sawbuck comes from when a $10 bill was called a 'sawbuck,' thanks to the big X (like a sawbuck stand) that showed up on early ten-dollar bills. Two of those makes a twenty, so you get 'double sawbuck.' Meanwhile, 'Jackson' just comes from Andrew Jackson’s portrait. Some folks use these names out of habit; others just want to sound like pros handling cash on the spot.
Nicknames can also help with security. If someone yells, 'Hand me a Jackson!' instead of 'Give me a $20 bill,' it’s less obvious to anyone listening in and can throw off would-be thieves. Plus, in industries where there are lots of different denominations going around—like retail or banking—it’s much faster and less confusing for staff to use these code words when stocking, shelving, or counting cash.
Take a look at some typical money nicknames you might hear in the U.S.:
- Sawbuck = $10 bill
- Double sawbuck = $20 bill
- Jackson = $20 bill
- Benjie = $100 bill (for Benjamin Franklin)
- Fiver = $5 bill
This habit isn’t just for fun—when you’re dealing with shelving, storage, or quick transactions, knowing your 20 dollar bill lingo can actually save time and keep things organized.
Handling $20 Bills in Shelving Operations
Working with 20 dollar bills on the job isn’t just about stuffing them in a cash drawer. On busy shelves, especially in retail or back-room storage, organizing bills the right way can save you a ton of time and stress. You want quick access, easy counting, and no headaches when it comes to spotting a double sawbuck among stacks of different bills.
The fastest method for counting and tracking $20 bills is to keep them grouped together by denomination. Always stack all your $20 bills facing the same direction. Flipping bills or mixing them up just leads to mistakes — and mistakes with cash aren’t fun for anyone. Most cash registers have a dedicated slot for twenties, because they’re so common in daily transactions.
If you’re prepping bundles for safe storage, standard practice is to group $20 bills into stacks of 10 or 50. Wrap each bundle with a simple paper band or use rubber bands for quick identification. Here’s a super basic example of how a cashier or shelf worker might organize bills during a shift:
- Keep all 20 dollar bills in the far-right slot of the register.
- When the stack reaches 10 or 20, bundle it and label the band with the total.
- Set completed bundles in a separate, locked storage box if you can.
- Always do a quick recount at shift change — don’t just trust the previous count.
In businesses with higher cash flow, like grocery stores or restaurants, employees often sort bills several times a shift and move larger stacks into a safe. Here’s a simple table to help visualize an easy shelving setup for bills by denomination:
| Bill Denomination | Shelf/Slot Location | Bundle Size |
|---|---|---|
| $1 | Leftmost Slot | 20 |
| $5 | Second Slot | 20 |
| $10 | Middle Slot | 10 |
| $20 | Right Slot | 10 or 50 |
Physical layout matters. Place your 20 dollar bills in a spot that’s quick to reach but not wide open so anyone can grab them. If your shelf is open to the public, never leave cash out during stocking or breaks. Handling double sawbucks with care and a touch of strategy is an easy way to keep your day running smoother—and safer.
Smart Ways to Store and Organize Cash
If you handle money at a store, in a back room, or even at home, it helps to have a plan. Keeping your 20 dollar bills in order means fewer headaches and less time searching for the right amount during busy moments. The goal: make sure your cash handling system is clear and secure.
- Sort by denomination: Use separate trays, slots, or labeled envelopes for each bill type, with 20 dollar bills in their own spot. Many people get lazy and mix them up, but that’s a fast track to errors when counting.
- Face them the same way: Keep those Jacksons facing front and aligned in the same direction. This simple trick saves real time during cash counts and deposits.
- Use lockable storage: A basic locking drawer or cash box can protect your doubles sawbucks from accidents and theft. At home, some folks even use small safes bolted to shelves.
- Log your cash: If you manage a lot of cash, keep a running log (notebook, spreadsheet, or app). Track every deposit or withdrawal by amount and denomination. Errors stick out right away when you stay consistent.
- Cycle your storage: Rotate your cash so older bills are used first. Newer bills are usually crisper, which makes them less likely to jam a till or automated counter when you eventually bring them out.
When it comes to shelving, a surprising fact: A basic lockbox that fits quietly on a storage shelf is often just as secure as a hidden wall safe for routine business cash. Plus, shelves make grabbing the right bills fast and organized.
| Storage Method | Security Level | Ease of Use |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled envelopes | Low | High |
| Cash box (with lock) | Medium | Medium |
| Small safe on shelf | High | Low |
Stick to systems you’ll actually use—fancy setups are useless if they slow you down or get ignored. Clear spots for those double sawbucks, plus frequent checks, are always better than hoping you’ll remember where you stuffed all your cash last week.
Common Mistakes When Storing Bills
If you handle cash like 20 dollar bills regularly, you’ve probably seen firsthand how easy it is to mess up basic storage. The wrong move can lead to lost cash, mix-ups, or even shrinkage.
One big mistake? Not keeping bills flat. Folding a double sawbuck in half for "space" actually weakens the paper over time and makes it easier to confuse denominations when you’re counting fast. Rolled-up or wedged bills also raise red flags when you’re doing the end-of-day cash count—and no one wants a headache after a long shift.
Another common goof: stashing large stacks of bills without dividers. It’s tempting to just pile your twenties on a shelf, but it takes just one slip for your cash to scatter or drop. Dividers or banded bundles help keep things organized and super easy to grab when needed. Tip: Always label your bundles, especially if you're managing more than one denomination on the same shelf.
Humidity is another sneaky culprit. Stuffing cash in drawers or boxes near heat or moisture sources can make 20 dollar bills crinkle or even stick together. That slows everyone down, whether you’re a cashier or trying to balance the books at home. According to the U.S. Department of the Treasury:
"Proper storage of paper currency in a cool, dry place is crucial to maintaining its condition and value."
Here’s where things get surprisingly risky—mixing old and new bills. New bills are stiffer, while older ones are softer and more likely to stick together if not separated by type or year. This can lead to double-counting or missing bills altogether.
If you want to avoid these headaches, keep these tips in mind:
- Always store cash flat, not folded or rolled.
- Use clear dividers or labeled envelopes for different denominations.
- Keep bills away from any source of heat, moisture, or direct sunlight.
- Separate new and old bills for smoother counting.
- Double-check storage areas before locking up—small bills easily slip into cracks and corners.
Mistakes in storing 20 dollar bills can seem minor but quickly add up to lost money and a lot of stress during audits. Simple fixes go a long way.
Quick Tips for Tracking and Managing Cash
When you’re dealing with cash, especially those 20 dollar bill stacks, you want things simple and fast. Messing up a count or losing track gets expensive really quick, and it’s a pain to fix. Here are some handy ways to stay organized and keep your cash handling on point.
- Count in batches: Sorting your twenties in stacks of $100 or $200 is an old-school retail trick. Buy strap bands (the paper ones you see at banks) to bundle them, or just use rubber bands. This way, you always know what each stack’s worth.
- Log it every time: Use a simple notebook or an app on your phone. Jot down the date, amount, and where the cash is going every time you move a stack. This cuts down on guesswork.
- Separate by denomination: Don’t just toss everything on a single shelf. Shelving your double sawbuck (that’s your twenties) with other bills is a recipe for errors. Use envelopes or plastic bins labeled with the bill type.
- Daily reconciliations: Once a day, compare your written log to what’s actually on the shelf. If you’re short anywhere, you catch it right away. That beats finding out at the end of the month when it’s too late to remember what happened.
- Safe storage: Don’t leave those twenties just sitting around. Put them in a locked drawer, a safe, or a cash box bolted down. This isn’t just about theft; sometimes people simply forget where they left things.
You might be surprised to know that cash handling mistakes make up about 20% of all small business shrinkage, according to some recent retail surveys. So it adds up fast. Here’s a quick snapshot of how folks handle cash during shelving and retail work:
| Action | Common Method | Time Spent (average per shift) |
|---|---|---|
| Counting bills | Manual + batch stacking | 10-15 minutes |
| Logging cash | Notebook or app | 5 minutes |
| Reconciling totals | Manual log compare | 5-10 minutes |
Keep your process super basic and repeat it every shift. Consistency is what gets your 20 dollar bill stacks right and your stress level low. Don’t rely on memory—trust your system, and you’ll save yourself plenty of headaches.