Ever looked closely at the money in your wallet? Probably not. Most people just glance at the number and shove it into their pocket. But if you start hunting for images of 100 dollar bill online, you’ll realize pretty quickly that this isn’t just paper. It is a dense, blue-tinted masterpiece of engineering. Honestly, the 2013 redesign of the C-note was such a massive undertaking that it basically changed how we think about physical currency in a digital world. It’s the most frequently counterfeited note outside of the United States, which is why the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) went a little overboard with the bells and whistles.
You’ve probably seen the "Big Ben" Franklin staring back at you. That portrait is actually based on a 1785 painting by Joseph-Siffred Duplessis. But if you zoom in on high-resolution images, you’ll see stuff that looks like a glitch if you don't know what you're looking for.
The blue ribbon that actually moves
There is this 3D Security Ribbon woven—not printed, actually woven—into the paper. It’s blue. When you tilt the bill, the images of bells change to 100s. They move. If you move the bill back and forth, they move up and down. If you move it up and down, they move side to side. It’s a trick of microlenses. There are about a million of them in every single ribbon. This isn't just a cool visual; it’s one of the hardest things for a casual counterfeiter to replicate because it requires specialized equipment that isn't exactly sitting in someone's basement.
People often mistake the ribbon for being on top of the paper. It's not. If you look at the back of the bill, you can see where it’s threaded through. It’s kind of wild that we carry around technology this sophisticated just to buy groceries.
The "Bell in the Inkwell" trick
Take a look at the copper-colored inkwell on the front. Inside it is a bell. When you shift the angle of the note, that bell changes from copper to green. This is what the Treasury calls "color-shifting ink." The effect makes it look like the bell is appearing and disappearing within the inkwell. It’s a very specific chemical composition. Using images of 100 dollar bill to study these shifts is actually how some bank tellers train their eyes.
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The ink itself is heavy. If you run your fingernail over Ben Franklin’s shoulder, you can feel the ridges. This is intaglio printing. It’s a process where the paper is pressed into recessed plates under massive pressure. It gives the bill that "money feel" that’s almost impossible to fake with a standard inkjet or laser printer.
Why images of 100 dollar bill are restricted by law
You can’t just go around taking perfect photos of money and posting them everywhere without following some pretty strict rules. The Secret Service is very particular about this. Basically, if you’re creating an image of U.S. currency, it has to be significantly larger or smaller than the real thing—specifically, less than 75% or more than 150% of the actual size.
And it has to be one-sided.
Why? Because modern scanners and printers have "counterfeit deterrence systems" built into them. Ever tried to scan a bill? Most high-end scanners will simply refuse to do it. They recognize the EURion constellation—a pattern of small circles—and shut the operation down. Even Photoshop has internal code that detects when you’re trying to edit high-resolution images of currency. It’s a global effort involving the Central Bank Counterfeit Deterrence Group (CBCDG).
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Microprinting: The tiny details you can't see
If you have a magnifying glass, look at Franklin’s jacket collar. You’ll see the words "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA." It’s tiny. Like, incredibly tiny. There is also microprinting on the watermark area and along the golden quill. Most digital images of 100 dollar bill found on random websites won't show this clearly because the resolution just isn't high enough.
- The Watermark: Hold a bill up to the light. You should see a faint image of Benjamin Franklin in the blank space to the right of the portrait. It’s visible from both sides.
- The Security Thread: There’s another thread, vertical this time, that glows pink under ultraviolet (UV) light. It says "USA" and "100" in an alternating pattern.
- The Gold 100: On the back, there is a large, gold "100" that helps people with low vision identify the denomination. It’s bright. It’s bold.
The common misconceptions about "Fake" images
A lot of people think that if a bill doesn't have a "star" in the serial number, it's fake. That's a myth. The star just means it’s a replacement note for one that was damaged during printing. Another weird one? The belief that the "series year" is the year the bill was printed. Nope. The series year (like Series 2009 or 2017) actually refers to when a new Secretary of the Treasury or Treasurer of the United States took office, or when the design changed.
Also, some people freak out when they see "Motion" technology. That’s just the name of the 3D ribbon tech developed by a company called Crane Currency. They’ve been supplying the U.S. with paper since 1879. It’s a long relationship.
Identifying a counterfeit using visual cues
If you’re looking at a bill and something feels off, it probably is. The paper isn’t actually paper. It’s 75% cotton and 25% linen. That’s why it doesn't fall apart in the wash.
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- Check the border: On a real bill, the fine lines in the border are clear and unbroken. On a fake, they often look blurred or "muddy."
- Look at the serial numbers: They should be perfectly spaced and the same ink color as the Treasury Seal.
- Feel the paper: Genuine currency has a unique texture because of the high-pressure printing. Fakes usually feel too smooth or "waxy."
Real experts, like those at the Federal Reserve, suggest that the "tilt" test is the most reliable way for a normal person to verify a bill. If the colors don't shift and the ribbon doesn't move, you’re holding a piece of scrap paper.
What to do if you have a suspicious bill
Whatever you do, don't try to spend it. That’s a felony. If you find yourself with a suspicious-looking note, the official protocol is to contact the Secret Service or your local police. You won't get your $100 back—which sucks, honestly—but you'll avoid going to jail for passing counterfeit cash.
Practical steps for handling 100 dollar bills
If you handle a lot of cash, buy a UV light. It’s much more reliable than those "counterfeit detector pens" which only test for starch in the paper. Professional-grade images of 100 dollar bill from the U.S. Currency Education Program are your best resource for training. They provide high-res downloads that are legally compliant so you can study the security features.
Always check for the watermark and the 3D ribbon. Those two features are the hardest to spoof. If you can see the faint Franklin and the moving bells, you’re almost certainly holding legal tender. Take a second to appreciate the art. It’s one of the most complex printed objects on the planet.