Ever pulled a hundred-dollar bill out of your wallet and wondered why the guy on the front looks more like a grumpy grandpa than a commander-in-chief? You're not alone. Honestly, it’s one of the most common trivia questions at bars: "Which president is on the 100?"
The answer? None of them.
Benjamin Franklin never held the title of President of the United States. He was a scientist, a writer, a printer, and a world-class diplomat, but he never sat in the Oval Office. Yet, ben franklin bill money is arguably the most famous paper currency on the planet. Everyone knows "the Benjamins."
It’s kinda weird when you think about it. Every other bill in your pocket—from the $1 to the $50—features a US President. George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, even Andrew Jackson. Franklin is the outlier. He’s the guy who stayed relevant without the top title.
The Real Reason Ben Franklin is on the $100
So, why him? Basically, the US Treasury wanted to honor the people who built the foundation of the country.
Franklin was the "First American." He didn't just sign the Declaration of Independence; he helped write it. He negotiated the Treaty of Paris that ended the Revolutionary War. Without his charm and scientific reputation, France probably wouldn't have helped us win that war. No France, no America. No America, no money.
But there’s a more practical, "nerdy" reason he’s on our cash. Franklin was obsessed with paper currency.
Back in the 1700s, the colonies were broke. They relied on British coins that were always in short supply. Franklin argued that paper money was the key to economic independence. He didn't just talk about it, though. He actually printed it.
🔗 Read more: Personification: Why Giving Human Traits to Objects Changes How We Think
A Printer's Perspective
Franklin’s printing firm produced nearly 2.5 million notes for the colonies. He was a bit of a security pioneer, too. He used "nature prints"—casting actual lead impressions of leaves—because the complex veins in a leaf were almost impossible for counterfeiters to hand-carve.
He even used a special type of "money paper" containing colored fibers and translucent muscovite fillers. If that sounds familiar, it's because it's exactly what we do now. Modern ben franklin bill money uses those same red and blue fibers to stop fakes. He was literally 250 years ahead of his time.
Decoding the Modern Benjamin
If you look at a $100 bill today, it doesn't look like the ones from the 90s. The portrait is huge. There’s a giant blue ribbon. It’s got a bit of a sci-fi vibe.
That blue ribbon in the center? It’s not just a design choice. It’s a 3D security ribbon. When you tilt the bill, the little bells inside the ribbon change to "100s." If you move it up and down, they move side to side. It’s a trick of micro-lenses that’s incredibly hard to replicate in a basement print shop.
The Hidden Details
- The Inkwell: There’s a copper-colored inkwell to the right of Franklin. Inside is a bell that changes from copper to green when you tilt it. It makes the bell look like it’s appearing and disappearing.
- The Microprinting: You’ll need a magnifying glass for this. Check his jacket collar. It says "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA." There’s also "USA 100" around the watermark.
- The Texture: Run your fingernail across Franklin’s shoulder. It should feel rough. That’s "intaglio" printing. It’s a heavy-pressure process that leaves raised ink on the paper.
Most people just see a face, but that bill is a piece of high-tech hardware.
Slang, Pop Culture, and the "Benjamin"
We call them Benjamins because of Puff Daddy (now Diddy). In 1997, "It's All About the Benjamins" turned a historical figure into a universal synonym for wealth.
It stuck. You’ve probably heard people talk about "spending a Ben" or "stacking Benjamins." It sounds way cooler than saying "I have a hundred-dollar bill."
Interestingly, the $100 bill is the most circulated note outside of the United States. In many countries, it’s the preferred way to store value because the US dollar is so stable. Ironically, Franklin—a man who preached thrift and warned that "a small leak will sink a great ship"—is now the face of big spending.
Misconceptions about High-Value Bills
People often think there’s a $500 bill with Franklin on it. There isn't. The $500 bill actually featured William McKinley, but the government stopped printing them in 1945.
If you ever see a bill larger than a $100 in the wild, it’s a collector's item. They’re still legal tender, but you’d be crazy to spend them at a grocery store. A $500 bill can be worth thousands to a collector. Franklin, however, has stayed firmly on the $100 since he replaced Abraham Lincoln on that denomination in 1914.
✨ Don't miss: Wait, Which Small White Fluffy Dog Breeds Actually Fit Your Life?
How to Check if Your Franklin is Real
Since the $100 is the most counterfeited bill outside the US, knowing how to spot a fake is a legitimate life skill. You don't need a fancy UV light, although that helps (the security thread glows pink).
First, hold it up to the light. You should see a faint image of Franklin in the blank space to the right of the portrait. It’s visible from both sides. If it looks like a cartoon or isn't there, give it back.
Second, look at the "100" in the bottom right corner. On the newer series, it shifts from copper to green. If it stays one color, it’s a bad sign.
Lastly, just feel it. Real money is 75% cotton and 25% linen. It’s not actually paper; it’s fabric. That’s why it doesn't fall apart when you accidentally leave it in your jeans and hit the "heavy duty" wash cycle.
Putting Franklin's Advice to Use
It’s one thing to carry ben franklin bill money, but it’s another to follow his philosophy. He was the original personal finance guru.
He famously said, "He that goes a-borrowing goes a-sorrowing." He hated debt. He believed in "industry and frugality." To Franklin, money wasn't just for buying stuff; it was a tool for independence.
If you want to handle your money like the guy on the bill, start by looking at your "little expenses." He warned that "a small leak will sink a great ship." That $7 latte every morning? That’s the leak.
Start by inspecting your own bills for the security features mentioned above—it’s a great way to appreciate the engineering that goes into your pocket. From there, consider looking into the history of the "Series 2009A" and "Series 2013" notes to see how the design has evolved to combat modern digital scanners. Keeping a "Benjamin" in your emergency fund is a classic move, but make sure it’s a real one first.