Ever found yourself staring at a crisp C-note, wondering if it's the real deal? You aren't alone. Most of us see them so rarely that we forget the details. Honestly, the modern Benjamin is a piece of high-tech art, but if you don't know the specifics, you're basically guessing.
The "Ben" we use today—the Series 2013 redesign—looks like something out of a spy movie. It isn't just paper and green ink anymore. It’s blue. It’s copper. It has hidden "lenses" that play tricks on your eyes.
The Face of the Bill: More Than Just a Portrait
Benjamin Franklin has been the face of the $100 bill since 1914. He was a scientist, a writer, and a diplomat, but he was never a president. That's a trivia fact that trips people up constantly. In the current design, his portrait is large, off-center, and surrounded by fine lines that are incredibly hard to copy.
If you run your fingernail over his shoulder, it should feel rough. That’s raised printing, or intaglio. It's a tactile secret. Genuine bills have a texture that "bites" back. If it’s smooth as a magazine page? You've got a problem.
To his right, there’s a golden quill and a copper inkwell. This isn't just decoration. Inside that inkwell is a Liberty Bell that changes color from copper to green when you tilt the note. It literally disappears and reappears as you move the paper.
Breaking Down the Blue Ribbon
The most striking feature of what does a 100 bill look like is the 3-D Security Ribbon. It’s that bright blue vertical stripe right down the middle. It isn't printed on the paper. It is woven through it.
- The Movement: Look at the bells and the number "100" on the ribbon.
- The Tilt: If you tilt the bill back and forth, the bells and 100s move side to side.
- The Swap: If you tilt it side to side, they move up and down.
It’s an optical illusion powered by hundreds of thousands of micro-lenses. Counterfeiters can try to print a blue line, but they can't make the images "dance" like the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing can.
What’s on the Back?
Flip it over and you’ll see Independence Hall in Philadelphia. This is where the Declaration of Independence was signed. Interestingly, the back of the bill features a massive, gold-colored "100" in the bottom right corner.
This isn't just for flair. It was added to help people with visual impairments identify the denomination quickly. The back is also missing the "security ribbon" you see on the front, but the color-shifting ink from the front can sometimes be seen through the paper if the light is bright enough.
The Hidden Details You’ll Miss
There are things you can't see unless you’re looking for them.
- The Watermark: Hold the bill up to a light. To the right of the large portrait, a faint, smaller image of Benjamin Franklin should appear in the blank space. It’s visible from both sides.
- The Security Thread: To the left of the portrait, there’s an embedded thread that says "USA 100" in an alternating pattern. If you hit it with a UV light, it glows pink.
- Microprinting: Look at Franklin’s jacket collar. There are microscopic words—"THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA"—printed there. You’ll also find "USA 100" around the watermark space and "ONE HUNDRED USA" along the golden quill.
The Feel of Money
The paper itself is a blend. It’s 75% cotton and 25% linen. That’s why a dollar bill doesn't fall apart in the washing machine like a receipt does. It also has tiny red and blue security fibers embedded throughout the paper.
Don't rely on those "counterfeit detector pens" alone. They react to starch. Some clever scammers "wash" lower-denomination bills (like a $1 or $5) and print a $100 design on top of the real paper. The pen will say it’s real paper, but the watermark and the security thread will still show the original, lower value.
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Always check the thread. On a real $100, the thread is to the left of the portrait. On a $5, it’s on the right.
Actionable Tips for Verifying Your Cash
If you're handling a large cash transaction, don't feel awkward about checking. Professionals do it every day.
- Feel for the ridges: Scrape your nail across Ben's lapel. It should be textured.
- Tilt for the bell: Watch the inkwell. The bell inside should flip from copper to green.
- Hunt the thread: Hold it to the light and ensure the vertical strip says "USA 100."
- Look for the "FW": If the bill was printed in Fort Worth, Texas, it’ll have a tiny "FW" in the top left corner. If not, it was printed in D.C. Both are equally real, but it’s a fun detail to spot.
Basically, if the blue ribbon doesn't move or the paper feels like a standard printer sheet, it’s a fake. Stick to the "Feel, Tilt, Check" method recommended by the U.S. Currency Education Program, and you'll never be fooled by a counterfeit again.