Ever held a hundred-dollar bill and felt that tiny pang of "is this actually real?" You aren't alone. It’s the most frequently counterfeited denomination of U.S. currency outside of the United States, and let’s be honest, it just feels different than a five or a twenty. If you're staring at one right now, wondering what does a $100 bill look like, you're probably looking for more than just "it has Benjamin Franklin on it."
Benjamin Franklin has been the face of the C-note since 1914. But the "Benny" you carry today looks nothing like the one your grandparents used. In 2013, the Federal Reserve gave the $100 bill a massive facelift, turning it into a high-tech piece of paper packed with 3D effects and color-shifting ink.
It's blue now. Sorta.
Actually, it’s a mix of teal, green, and copper, but that blue 3D Security Ribbon is the first thing your eyes hit. If the bill you're holding is flat, dull, and lacks that distinct "snap" of crane paper, you might have a problem.
The Face and the Feel: Franklin’s New Look
The portrait of Benjamin Franklin is the centerpiece. On the current Series 2009 and later notes, he’s not trapped in a tiny oval anymore. He’s large. He’s off-center. And if you run your fingernail across his shoulder, you should feel a distinct texture. That’s intaglio printing. It’s a fancy way of saying the ink is layered so thick it creates a physical ridge.
Counterfeiters hate this.
Most fake bills are printed using inkjet or laser printers which lay ink flat. If the "ridges" on Franklin’s vest feel smooth like a magazine page, it’s a red flag. The paper itself isn't even paper. It’s a 75% cotton and 25% linen blend. That's why it survives a trip through the washing machine while your grocery receipt turns into a gray ball of mush. You can actually see tiny red and blue security fibers embedded into the paper. They aren't printed on top; they are part of the fabric.
The 3D Security Ribbon: The Magic Trick
Look at that blue vertical stripe in the middle. This is the heavy hitter of security. It’s not just blue ink. It’s woven into the paper, not printed on it.
💡 You might also like: Missouri Paycheck Tax Calculator: What Most People Get Wrong
Try this: Tilt the bill back and forth while focusing on the blue ribbon. You’ll see icons of bells and the number 100 moving. When you tilt the bill vertically, the bells and 100s move side-to-side. When you tilt it horizontally, they move up and down. It’s hypnotic. If that ribbon is just a shiny sticker or a printed line that doesn't move, the bill is a dud.
The Bell in the Inkwell
Just to the right of Ben’s shoulder sits a copper-colored inkwell. Inside that inkwell is a bell. This is where the color-shifting ink comes into play. If you tilt the bill, that bell changes from copper to green. This effect makes the bell appear to vanish and reappear within the inkwell.
It’s a subtle detail, but it’s one of the hardest things for amateur counterfeiters to replicate because the specialized OVI (Optically Variable Ink) is incredibly expensive and tightly regulated.
Why the Back of the Bill Matters
Turn it over. You’re looking at Independence Hall. But look closer at the clock tower. On the current design, the time on the clock is approximately 10:30. Interestingly, there’s no official reason from the Treasury why that specific time was chosen, though it adds a layer of detail that blurry fakes often miss.
There’s also a massive gold "100" on the back right side. It’s huge. It’s meant to help people with visual impairments identify the note, but it also serves as another point of scrutiny. The gold ink should have a metallic sheen, not a flat, glittery look.
Watermarks and Security Threads
Hold the bill up to a bright light. You should see a faint image of Benjamin Franklin in the blank space to the right of the portrait. This is the watermark. It should be visible from both sides of the note. A common trick for counterfeiters is to bleach a $5 bill and print a $100 on top of it. If you do that, the watermark will still be Abraham Lincoln.
Always check the face in the light.
📖 Related: Why Amazon Stock is Down Today: What Most People Get Wrong
Then there’s the security thread. This is a thin vertical strip—different from the blue ribbon—that is embedded in the paper to the left of the portrait. It’s only visible when held to the light. It has the letters "USA" and the number "100" in an alternating pattern.
Want the ultimate test? Hit it with a UV light. That internal security thread will glow pink. If it glows a different color, or doesn't glow at all, someone handed you a piece of junk.
The Microprinting: Tiny Words, Big Security
If you have a magnifying glass (or a really good phone camera zoom), look at Franklin’s jacket collar. You’ll see the words "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA." Look at the blank space where the watermark is; you’ll find "USA 100." There is even microprinting on the quill in the background.
To the naked eye, these just look like thin lines. To a high-resolution scanner, they are legible text. Most counterfeiters can't achieve this level of crispness; their "text" usually looks like a series of blurry dots or a jagged line.
Common Misconceptions About the $100 Bill
People think the "counterfeit pen" is the gold standard. It’s not.
Those pens react to starch. If a counterfeiter uses starch-free paper, the pen stays yellow, signaling the bill is "real." Professional scammers have known this for decades. They use chemical washes to strip smaller bills or source specific linen-based papers. Relying solely on a marker is a rookie mistake.
Another myth? That older "small head" bills are no longer legal tender.
👉 See also: Stock Market Today Hours: Why Timing Your Trade Is Harder Than You Think
While the Federal Reserve hasn't printed the old-style $100 bills (the ones with the small portrait in the oval) in a long time, they are still 100% legal tender. You can spend them at any store, though don't be surprised if the cashier spends five minutes squinting at it. Because those older bills lack the blue 3D ribbon and the color-shifting inkwell, they are much easier to fake, making businesses very nervous.
Summary Checklist for Spotting a Real $100 Bill
If you're handling a large amount of cash, or just want to be sure about the one in your wallet, run through this quick mental list. It takes about five seconds once you know what to look for.
- Feel the Paper: It should be crisp and slightly rough. Rub your thumb over Franklin’s lapel; you should feel those raised ink ridges.
- Check the Ribbon: Move the bill. Do the bells and 100s in the blue stripe move?
- Tilt for Color: Does the copper bell in the inkwell turn green? Does the "100" in the bottom right corner shift colors?
- Hold to Light: Do you see the Franklin watermark on the right? Is the thin security thread visible on the left?
- UV Light (If available): Does the security thread glow pink?
How to Handle a Suspect Bill
What happens if you find a bill that looks... off?
Honestly, don't try to spend it. Passing counterfeit currency—even if you didn't make it—is a felony. If you realize you have a fake, the best move is to take it to the bank or contact the local police. You won't get a real $100 back in exchange (which sucks, I know), but you’ll stay out of legal trouble.
Write down as much as you can about where the bill came from. Did you get it from a specific ATM? A certain person? The Secret Service actually tracks this data to shut down counterfeiting rings.
The $100 bill is a masterpiece of engineering. It’s a mix of 18th-century art and 21st-century physics. Knowing these details doesn't just make you look like a pro at the cash register; it protects your hard-earned money.
Next Steps for Cash Safety
To stay ahead of the game, download the U.S. Paper Money Built for Confidence app provided by the government. It uses augmented reality to show you exactly where every security feature is located on any bill. If you manage a business, invest in a small UV light or a high-end currency counter that detects magnetic ink and infrared patterns. Relying on your eyes is good, but relying on the physics of the bill is better.