Ever found yourself staring at a hundred-dollar bill in a weird light, wondering if it's the real deal? You're definitely not alone. With the "new" design having been in our wallets since 2013, you’d think we’d all be experts by now. But honestly, most of us just glance at Ben Franklin’s face and call it a day.
If you're asking what does $100 bill look like, you're likely looking for more than just "it's blueish and has a bald guy on it." You want to know the "tells." The stuff that makes a cashier nod in approval or a bank scanner hum happily.
The current $100 Federal Reserve note is a masterclass in security masquerading as art. It’s a mix of 75% cotton and 25% linen—which is why it feels like fabric rather than paper. If you’ve ever accidentally washed a Benjamin, you know it survives. Try that with a piece of printer paper and you’ve got confetti.
The Anatomy of the Modern C-Note
Let's break down the front—or the "obverse" if you want to sound like a numismatist. Benjamin Franklin is still there, but he's not in a frame anymore. He’s looking a bit larger, slightly off-center, and his portrait is incredibly detailed.
One of the coolest features is the 3-D Security Ribbon. It’s that blue vertical strip down the middle. Don't be fooled; it’s not printed on the paper. It’s actually woven into the fibers. When you tilt the bill, you’ll see little bells and the number "100" moving.
Here is the trippy part:
- If you tilt the bill back and forth, the bells and 100s move side to side.
- If you tilt it side to side, they move up and down.
It’s a bizarre optical illusion created by hundreds of thousands of micro-lenses. If that ribbon looks flat or the images don't dance, you've probably got a counterfeit on your hands.
The Bell in the Inkwell
To the right of Ben's shoulder, there’s a copper-colored inkwell. Inside it sits a Liberty Bell. It’s not just a drawing. If you shift the angle of the bill, that bell changes from copper to green. This makes the bell appear to vanish and reappear inside the inkwell. It’s a "now you see me, now you don't" trick that's incredibly hard for scammers to replicate with standard inkjet printers.
What Does $100 Bill Look Like Under the Surface?
Sometimes the most important parts are the ones you can't see immediately. If you hold the bill up to a bright light, two "ghostly" features should appear.
First, there’s the watermark. You’ll see a faint image of Benjamin Franklin in the blank space to the right of the main portrait. It’s visible from both sides because it’s actually part of the paper itself.
Second, look for the security thread. This is a thin vertical line to the left of the portrait. It has "USA" and "100" printed on it in an alternating pattern. If you happen to have a blacklight handy—maybe you’re a bartender or a very prepared nerd—that thread will glow a bright, neon pink.
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The Texture and the "Small Stuff"
Microprinting is everywhere on this bill. You’ll need a magnifying glass (or really good eyes) to see "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" on Franklin’s jacket collar. You can also find "USA 100" around the watermark space and "ONE HUNDRED USA" along the golden quill.
Then there’s the Raised Printing. Run your fingernail along Benjamin Franklin’s shoulder. It should feel rough, almost like a file. This is the result of intaglio printing, where massive amounts of pressure are used to transfer ink onto the paper. It gives the bill that "crisp" texture that fakes almost always lack.
The Color Palette
While we call it "greenbacks," the modern $100 bill is actually quite colorful. You’ll see splashes of pale blue, a bit of gold, and that copper ink. The back of the bill features Independence Hall, but interestingly, it shows the back of the building instead of the front.
Why This Still Matters in 2026
You might have heard whispers about a redesign. The U.S. Treasury and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) are constantly working on the next generation of currency, often called the Catalyst series.
While the $10 bill is slated for a makeover first (look for that around 2026), the $100 bill isn't scheduled for its next big glow-up until roughly 2034. That means the "blue-ribbon" version you see today is going to be the standard for a long time.
The primary goal for the future isn't just stopping high-tech counterfeiters; it’s also about accessibility. Future bills will likely include raised tactile features to help blind and visually impaired people identify the denomination just by touch.
How to Verify a Bill in 3 Seconds
If someone hands you a hundred and you're suspicious, don't just rely on those yellow counterfeit detector pens. Those pens only react to starch in wood-based paper. Sophisticated counterfeiters sometimes "bleach" lower denominations (like $5 bills) and print $100 over them. The pen will say it’s "real" paper, but the bill is a lie.
Instead, do this:
- Feel it: Is the shoulder scratchy? (Raised print)
- Tilt it: Does the blue ribbon move? Does the bell change color?
- Light it: Can you see the "ghost" Ben Franklin on the right?
If it passes those three tests, you’re almost certainly holding a genuine Benjamin.
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When you're dealing with cash, especially large amounts, it pays to be a bit picky. Take a second to look at the golden "100" on the back—it's large and high-contrast for a reason. It's all about making sure that the money we work hard for is actually worth the paper it’s printed on.
Next Step for You: Check the $100 bills in your wallet right now. Look for the "FW" mark in the top left corner of the front. If it's there, your bill was printed in Fort Worth, Texas. If not, it came from Washington, D.C. It’s a fun little piece of trivia that proves you’re paying attention to the details.