You probably have one in your wallet right now, or maybe you're just wishing you did. It's the "Benjamin." The C-note. But honestly, most people just glance at the face and shove it into their pocket without a second thought. That’s a mistake. If you actually take a second to flip it over and really examine the front and back 100 dollar bill, you’ll realize it is basically a high-tech masterpiece of security and history disguised as a piece of paper.
Actually, it’s not even paper. It’s a 75% cotton and 25% linen blend. That’s why it doesn't fall apart in the wash like a receipt does.
Ever since the 2013 redesign, the $100 bill has become the most sophisticated banknote in the world. It had to be. Because the $100 bill is the most frequently counterfeited denomination outside the United States, North Korea and various international crime syndicates have spent decades trying to perfect the "Supernote." To fight back, the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) turned the bill into a physical puzzle of 3D images and color-shifting ink.
The Face of the Note: More Than Just Benjamin Franklin
The front and back 100 dollar bill tells two very different stories. On the front, we have Benjamin Franklin. Interestingly, he’s one of the few non-presidents to grace our currency. He looks a bit smug, doesn’t he? That portrait is actually based on a 1785 painting by Joseph-Siffred Duplessis.
But look closer at his collar.
If you have a magnifying glass, you can see "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" printed in tiny, microscopic letters along the lapel of his coat. This is microprinting. It’s incredibly hard for standard inkjet printers to replicate without it looking like a blurry smudge. You’ll also find "USA 100" around the blank space where the watermark sits.
Then there is the 3D Security Ribbon. This is the blue stripe running down the center. It’s not printed on the paper. It’s woven into the paper. If you tilt the bill back and forth, you’ll see little bells change to 100s. They move. If you tilt it vertically, they move horizontally. It’s a dizzying bit of optical engineering that cost the government years of delays to get right.
Next to Franklin, there’s the "Bell in the Inkwell." This is one of my favorite features because it’s just cool to watch. Inside the copper-colored inkwell, there is a green bell. When you shift the angle, the bell disappears and reappears. It’s using color-shifting ink that’s extremely expensive to produce and nearly impossible for a basement counterfeiter to buy on the open market.
Flipping It Over: The Secrets of the Back
When you turn it over, the front and back 100 dollar bill experience changes. The back features Independence Hall in Philadelphia. But wait. Look at the clock tower.
There is a long-standing myth that the clock is set to 4:20. It isn’t. On the older series of bills, the time was roughly 4:10. On the new "Series 2009" and later notes, the time is actually 10:30. Why? Nobody really knows for sure, though the BEP says there’s no specific significance to the time. It’s just a detail. But it’s a detail that helps collectors and experts identify the era of the bill’s design.
The back of the note is also where you’ll find the gold "100" in the bottom right corner. This isn't just for show. It's a high-contrast numeral designed to help people with visual impairments distinguish the denomination.
You’ll notice that there are no "scrolls" or ornate borders like the old $1 bills. The design is cleaner. It’s more modern. The BEP moved away from the heavy frames to allow for more "white space," which actually makes it easier to see the watermark when you hold it up to the light.
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Speaking of the watermark, you should see a faint image of Benjamin Franklin in the blank space to the right of the portrait. It’s visible from both the front and the back. If the watermark looks like it was drawn on with a marker, or if it’s too dark, you’re likely holding a fake. A real watermark is part of the paper fibers themselves.
Why the Redesign Was a Total Nightmare
The transition to the current front and back 100 dollar bill wasn't exactly smooth. It was actually a bit of a disaster. The "New 100" was supposed to come out years before it actually did.
The problem was the paper. Because of that blue 3D security ribbon being woven into the sheets, the paper started creasing during the printing process. This caused "mismatched" prints where a blank white line would appear across the bill because the paper had folded over on itself.
The government ended up with billions of dollars worth of unusable bills stored in a vault in Fort Worth, Texas. They had to develop a mechanical sorting system to weed out the "misfires" from the good bills. It was a massive headache that cost taxpayers millions in delays, but eventually, they perfected the tension of the printing presses.
The Security Features You Can Feel
One thing people often overlook is the texture. If you run your fingernail across Benjamin Franklin’s shoulder, it should feel rough. This is "intaglio" printing. The ink is literally raised off the surface of the paper.
Counterfeiters usually use offset printing or digital printers, which leave the bill feeling flat and smooth. If a hundred dollar bill feels like a piece of standard printer paper, it probably is. The combination of the linen-cotton blend and the heavy, raised ink gives the front and back 100 dollar bill a very specific "snap" when you flick it.
There is also the "EURion Constellation." If you look at the back of the bill, you’ll see small, yellow "100s" scattered in the sky above Independence Hall. This is part of a pattern that tells digital scanners and photocopiers, "Hey, don't copy this." Most modern shop scanners and even Photoshop will actually block you from processing the image if it detects these patterns.
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How to Spot a Fake in 5 Seconds
If you’re a business owner or someone who handles a lot of cash, you don't always have time to get out a UV light. Though, if you did, the $100 bill glows pink under UV light—specifically a pink security thread that runs vertically.
But if you’re just standing at a register, here is the quick checklist for the front and back 100 dollar bill:
First, feel the paper. Does it have that "raised" texture on the portrait? If it's smooth, be suspicious.
Second, look at the blue ribbon. Tilt it. Do the bells move? They should. If they are just printed on and static, it's a fake.
Third, look for the watermark. Is it a perfect match for the face on the front? Sometimes counterfeiters will bleach a $5 bill and print a $100 over it. In that case, the watermark will be Abraham Lincoln, not Ben Franklin. That’s a dead giveaway.
Finally, check the "100" in the bottom right corner of the front. Does it change from copper to green? If the color doesn't shift, the bill isn't real.
The Future of the Benjamin
Will we see a new design soon? Probably not for a while. The current front and back 100 dollar bill is still holding up well against counterfeiters. However, the Treasury Department is constantly researching new materials. Some countries, like Canada and the UK, have moved to polymer (plastic) bills. The U.S. has resisted this because of the "feel" and the massive infrastructure change it would require for ATMs and vending machines.
For now, the paper-based note remains king. It is a symbol of American economic power, but more importantly, it is a piece of art that you can carry in your pocket.
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To protect yourself, make it a habit to actually look at the money you receive. Most people get scammed because they are in a hurry. They see the "100" and the face and assume everything is fine. Take the three seconds to tilt it. Watch the bells move. Feel the ink.
If you do find a fake, don't try to spend it. That’s a felony. You’re supposed to turn it over to the Secret Service or local police. You won't get your $100 back (which sucks), but you'll avoid a potential prison sentence.
Actionable Steps for Handling Large Bills
- Invest in a high-quality counterfeit detector pen, but don't rely on it 100%. These pens only detect the chemical composition of the paper. High-end fakes use "bleached" genuine paper from lower denominations, which will fool the pen.
- Always check the 3D security ribbon first. It is the single hardest feature for counterfeiters to replicate effectively.
- Use the "Light Test." Hold the bill up to a bright light source to check both the security thread (the vertical strip) and the watermark simultaneously.
- Train your staff. If you run a business, ensure your employees know the "Feel, Tilt, Check" method. Most counterfeiters target busy environments where people aren't paying attention.
- Compare it to a known genuine bill. If you're unsure, pull another $100 out of your wallet or till. The differences in color saturation and paper thickness usually become obvious when two notes are side-by-side.