You’re staring at Benjamin Franklin. He looks a bit different than he used to, doesn’t he? If you’ve got a 2013 series 100 dollar bill in your hand, you might notice that blue ribbon running down the middle or the way the ink seems to shift colors when you tilt the paper. It feels fancy. It feels modern. But for a lot of people, these notes still trigger a bit of "is this play money?" anxiety because they departed so radically from the old-school greenbacks we grew up with.
The 2013 series isn't actually the first year this design hit the streets—that was technically the 2009 series—but 2013 is when the Federal Reserve really flooded the gates. They had to. The previous versions were getting faked left and right by high-tech operations overseas. We’re talking about the "Supernotes" from places like North Korea that were so good even bank scanners sometimes choked on them. So, the Treasury went scorched earth on security.
The 3D Security Ribbon: More Than Just a Blue Stripe
Honestly, the blue ribbon is the coolest part of the 2013 series 100 dollar bill. It’s not printed on the paper. It’s woven into it. If you look closely, you’ll see thousands of tiny micro-lenses. When you move the bill, you’ll see bells changing to 100s. It’s a trip.
If you try to scratch that blue ribbon off with your fingernail, it shouldn't budge. If it starts peeling? Yeah, you’ve got a problem. That’s a counterfeit. Real ones are integrated into the fiber of the Crane & Co. paper, which, by the way, is actually a blend of 75% cotton and 25% linen. That's why your jeans don't feel like money, but your money feels like... well, money.
Why the 2013 Series 100 Dollar Bill Feels Different
It’s heavy on the "raised printing." Run your fingernail along Ben Franklin’s shoulder. It should feel rough, almost like a file. This is the result of intaglio printing, where massive pressure pushes the paper into recessed plates filled with ink. Most fake bills are flat. They’re printed with inkjet or laser printers that just lay the ink on top of the surface.
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Then there’s the color-shifting ink. Look at the copper-colored inkwell to the right of Franklin. There’s a bell inside it. If you tilt the bill, that bell changes from copper to green. It’s an effect that makes the bell appear and disappear within the inkwell. This isn't just a "pretty" feature; it’s incredibly expensive and difficult for small-time counterfeiters to replicate. They usually settle for glittery paint that doesn't actually shift hues correctly.
The Ghost in the Paper: Watermarks
Hold your 2013 series 100 dollar bill up to a light. You should see a faint image of Benjamin Franklin in the blank space to the right of the portrait. It should be visible from both sides. A common trick for scammers is to take a $5 bill, bleach the ink off, and reprint it as a $100. Why? Because the paper is real. It feels right. It even passes the "counterfeit pen" test. But if you hold that "bleached" bill to the light, you’ll see Abraham Lincoln’s face staring back at you instead of Ben’s.
Always check the watermark. Always.
Microprinting: The Tiny Details You Can’t See
You might need a magnifying glass for this part. Or really good eyes. There is tiny text that says "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" along Franklin’s jacket collar. You’ll also find "USA 100" around the blank quill space and "100 USA" along the golden watermarks. Fakes usually have blurred or "bleeding" text here because their printers can't handle the resolution. On a real bill, the lines are crisp and sharp.
Rare Finds and Serial Numbers
Most 2013 hundreds are just worth a hundred bucks. Sorry to break it to you. But coin collectors and "paper money" geeks (numismatists) look for specific serial numbers. If you find a "star note"—which has a little star at the end of the serial number—it means the original bill was damaged during printing and replaced.
Some 2013 star notes are actually quite rare depending on which Federal Reserve Bank issued them. For example, bills from the New York (B) or San Francisco (L) banks might have different print run sizes. If you have a "ladder" serial number (like 12345678) or a "solid" number (like 88888888), that bill could be worth thousands. Even a "fancy" serial number like a "radar" (reads the same forward and backward) can net you a nice profit on eBay.
Common Myths About the 2013 Series
People think the "gold" 100 on the back is made of real gold. It’s not. It’s just large, high-visibility ink designed to help people with visual impairments.
Another big one: "The strip should glow under a blacklight." Yes, it should. If you hit a 2013 series 100 dollar bill with UV light, the security thread (which is vertical and to the left of the portrait, not the blue ribbon) should glow pink. If it glows blue or doesn't glow at all, you're looking at a fake or a different denomination.
What to Do If You Suspect a Fake
Don't try to spend it. Seriously. Passing counterfeit currency, even if you didn't make it, is a felony. If you get a suspicious bill from a gas station or a Facebook Marketplace deal, compare it to a known real bill. Look at the fine lines in the portrait. On the 2013 series, Franklin looks lifelike. On fakes, his eyes often look "dead" or the shading on his skin looks blotchy.
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If it's definitely fake, you're technically supposed to hand it over to the Secret Service or local police. You won't get your $100 back (which sucks), but you'll stay out of handcuffs.
Actionable Steps for Handling Large Bills
- Feel the Paper: Real money is slightly abrasive. If it feels like smooth printer paper or "waxy," be skeptical.
- Tilt for the Bell: The copper-to-green shift in the inkwell is the hardest thing to fake. Check it every time.
- Use the Light: Check for the security thread and the Franklin watermark. If they aren't there, the bill isn't real.
- Check the Ribbon: Move the bill back and forth. The bells and 100s on the blue 3D ribbon should move in the opposite direction of your tilt.
- Look for the Star: Before you spend it, glance at the serial number. If there’s a star at the end, look up the "Star Note Lookup" online to see if it’s part of a rare run. You might be holding $200 or $300 instead of just $100.
The 2013 series 100 dollar bill is a feat of engineering. It’s basically a high-tech security document that we happen to use to buy groceries. Once you know what to look for—the texture, the shifting colors, and the woven ribbon—you’ll never get fooled by a counterfeit again.