Okay, we must remember that the rules for denoting series have changed in the
last 30 years.

Prior to 1985, any major change in design would constitute a new series date,
while changes in signatures would only constitue new letter, so you had 1935
bills being printed as late as the 1960s.

When US notes were phased out, the rule for series was anything more than one
signature change was given a new series date. Then in the 1985, James Baker and
Donald Regan decided to change jobs without telling President Reagan first. A
new printer was used, so the Baker notes were given a new series date-1985.

When Baker resigned as secretary of the Treasurey in 1988 in order to run Vice
President Bush's presidential campaign, Former Senator Nick Brady (R-NJ), took
his place. For some reason never properly explained, his notes were given a new
series date.

When Bush was inaugurated President in 1989, Brady was retained [Reagan had
agreed to give the Vice President's choice an early start, in fact], but a new
Treasurer was appointed. A new rule was announced as a very long standing
tradition for many years, a clear lie. So a new treasurer will rate only an "A"
while every other change will rate a new year.

This is how's worked ever since.

As to the 2004 $20s, the reason is that there's a new Secretary of the
Treasury, a Mr. Snow, and it takes time to get the new bill plates made up.

By the time the plates were ready, the new twenties were also, and they weren't
sure whether there was going to be 2003-series "old" bill printed.

It was decided it wasn't worth the money and since the plates already had 2004
on them...you get the idea.

For proof of the change in rules, which the government denies, check series
1969A notes. The ones have different treasury secretaries [Treasurer Dorothy
Elston had married a guy named Kebis and she changed her signature] than all
the other bills.

Why? They needed the bills and the plates for the ones get used far more than
fives and up. [there were NO $2 FRNs prior to the bicentennial commemeratives
of 1976].

eric l.