The 1922 $20 Gold Certificate was a type of large size gold certificate that was released by the United States Treasury during that year. It had the ability to be redeemed for gold coins at its face value. This particular certificate was one of six different denominations that were issued as part of the 1922 series.
The History and Significance of the 1922 $20 Gold Certificate
Large Size Gold certificates like the 1922 $20 bill were issued as a form of paper currency by the United States between 1863 and 1922. They were originally intended to facilitate the transfer of gold. Importantly, these certificates were considered as good as gold, as they were backed by and redeemable in an equivalent amount of gold coin stored in the Treasury.
The portrait of George Washington was featured on the front of $20 1922 Gold Certificates
The 1922 $20 Gold Certificate is the most common $20 Large Size Gold Certificate ever printed, making it an accessible entry point for new and seasoned collectors alike. Despite its relative commonality, the note's history, aesthetic appeal, and the story it tells about U.S. economic history add significantly to its desirability among collectors.
Exploring the Design and Features of the 1922 $20 Gold Certificate
The $20 Gold Certificates series of 1922 bears the same design as its predecessor specifically the series of 1906. The front design of the note featured a portrait of George Washington at its center, surrounded by curvaceous decorative patterns and the words "This certifies that there have been deposited in the Treasury of the United States." The denomination of the certificate was printed in numerical form in all four corners, making it easy to identify the value of the certificate at a glance.
The unique aspect of the 1922 $20 Gold Certificates was its serial numbers, which were printed in vivid yellow ink in the lower left and upper right corners. This bright and bold ink added to the overall eye-catching design of the certificate and made it stand out from other forms of currency. The gold seal and gold serial numbers add to the bill's distinctiveness and denote its gold certificate status. The design type of this certificate was used for both the series of 1906 and 1922, with the only major difference being the date.
A closer look at the $20 Gold Certificate Large Size from both side
On the left side of the front of the note, an overprint giant XX was indicating the denomination in Roman numerals. This served as a clear and distinctive identifier of the value of the certificate, making it easily recognizable.
The back of the note was just as striking as the front, with its vibrant yellow color and intricate patterns. This back design includes the Great Seal of the United States, surrounded by "Twenty Dollars" in the center with 20 and Twenty at the edges.
Why These Gold Certificates Are No Longer Redeemable in Gold
The practice of redeeming gold certificates for actual gold ended during the Great Depression. In response to the economic crisis and the hoarding of gold, the Roosevelt Administration issued decrees in 1933 that prohibited the redemption of gold certificates for gold coins. An executive order was also issued, requiring people to surrender their gold to the Federal Reserve.
The possession of gold certificates became illegal, leading to the retirement of most circulating notes. These restrictions were lifted in 1964 to allow collectors to legally own them, but they can no longer be exchanged for gold. However, they can still be exchanged at their face value.
All of the Gold Certificates are generally hard to find and always carry a premium numismatic value, particularly above choice uncirculated or higher examples. Due to their significance in American history and their beautiful patterns, gold certificates are a perfect complement to collectors' collections of U.S Large-Size Paper Money.
