You’ve probably seen them. That flash of bright blue right down the middle of a Benjamin. It’s hard to miss. But honestly, most people still treat the current design of the $100 bill like it’s brand new, even though it’s been in our wallets for over a decade now.
The "new" 100 dollar bills—technically the Series 2009 and 2009A notes—actually started circulating way back in October 2013. If you're still calling them "the new ones," don't worry. You're not alone. They look so futuristic compared to the old "small-head" or even the 1996 "big-head" versions that they still feel like something out of a sci-fi movie.
When Is the Next Redesign Actually Happening?
I’ll be straight with you: if you’re waiting for a newer new 100 dollar bill, you’re going to be waiting a while. Like, a long while.
👉 See also: Why Bitcoin Is Tanking: What Most People Get Wrong
According to the latest roadmap from the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) and the Advanced Counterfeit Deterrence (ACD) Steering Committee, the $100 bill isn't scheduled for its next major facelift until 2034. That’s basically a lifetime in the world of technology.
Why so long? Because the current note is doing its job. It's packed with such high-tech features that it's still a nightmare for counterfeiters to replicate. Here is the release schedule for the upcoming "Catalyst" series of notes:
- $10 Note: Expected in 2026. This will be the first one to drop.
- $50 Note: Scheduled for 2028.
- $20 Note: Aiming for 2030.
- $5 Note: Planned for 2032.
- $100 Note: Bringing up the rear in 2034.
Basically, the $100 bill is the final boss of currency. It gets the most attention, has the highest stakes, and usually gets the most sophisticated tech, which is why the government takes its time before swapping it out.
The Blue Ribbon Isn't Just for Show
That 3D Security Ribbon? It’s arguably the coolest thing on the bill. If you haven't sat there for five minutes just tilting it back and forth, you're lying.
It’s not printed on the paper. It’s woven through the paper. If you look closely, you can see the paper fibers overlapping parts of the ribbon. When you tilt the bill, the bells change to 100s. If you tilt it back and forth, they move side to side. If you tilt it side to side, they move up and down.
It’s a massive headache for scammers because you can't just scan or photocopy depth.
Then there’s the Bell in the Inkwell. To the right of Ben Franklin’s shoulder, there’s a copper-colored inkwell. Inside it is a bell. When you tilt the note, that bell shifts from copper to green. It makes the bell appear and disappear inside the inkwell, which is a neat trick that’s incredibly hard to pull off with standard desktop printers.
Why 2026 Matters for Your Cash
While the $100 bill isn't changing this year, 2026 is a massive year for American money. We are currently seeing the start of the "Catalyst Series" rollout.
The $10 bill is the guinea pig. It’s getting a full redesign that will likely include tactile features—raised bumps—to help people with visual impairments identify their cash by touch. This is a first for the U.S. and something countries like Canada and Australia have been doing for ages.
If you handle a lot of cash for business, you need to start thinking about your equipment. Bill counters, vending machines, and ATMs that were built in the early 2010s might struggle with the new security features coming in the Catalyst series. We’re already seeing financial institutions (FIs) being warned to audit their hardware.
Is My Old Money Still Good?
Yes.
Every single piece of U.S. currency issued since 1861 is still legal tender. If you find a stash of $100 bills from the 1950s in your grandmother’s attic, they are still worth $100 at the bank.
Actually, they might be worth more to a collector, so don't just spend them at the grocery store.
The Fed doesn't "recall" old notes. They just pull them out of circulation as they get old and raggedy. A $100 bill has a surprisingly long life—about 22.9 years on average. Compare that to a $1 bill, which usually gets shredded after about six or seven years because it gets handled so much more.
How to Spot a Fake (Without a Pen)
Those little yellow markers you see at the register? They aren't foolproof. They just react to the starch in standard wood-based paper. Professional counterfeiters sometimes "bleach" smaller bills (like $1s or $5s) and print $100s on top of them. The pen will say it's real paper because it is, but the bill is a total fake.
💡 You might also like: Exactly How Many American Dollars Is 1000 Yen Right Now?
Instead of the pen, use your eyes and fingers:
- Feel the shoulder: Run your fingernail across Benjamin Franklin’s shoulder. It should feel rough, like a series of tiny ridges. This is "intaglio" printing, and it’s very hard to fake.
- Look for the watermark: Hold it up to the light. There should be a faint image of Ben Franklin in the white space on the right. If it’s printed on the surface instead of being inside the paper, it’s a fake.
- Check the thread: There’s a vertical security thread to the left of the portrait. It says "USA 100" and glows pink under a UV light.
- Magnify the collar: If you have a magnifying glass, look at Franklin's jacket collar. You’ll see the words "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" in tiny letters.
What’s Next for You
If you're a business owner, now is the time to check your cash-handling tech. With the new $10 bill arriving late in 2026, you don't want your machines rejecting the new notes.
For everyone else, keep an eye on your change. The $100 bill we use today is going to be the standard for another eight years at least. But the $10 you get back at the coffee shop later this year or next might look very, very different.
Actionable Steps:
- Audit your equipment: Ensure your bill counters and scanners can handle the upcoming 2026 redesign.
- Train your staff: Move away from relying solely on counterfeit pens and teach the "Touch, Tilt, Look" method.
- Watch the Fed: Stay updated on the official release dates for the $10 Catalyst note through the U.S. Currency Education Program.