Ever pulled a crisp C-note out of an ATM and felt like you were holding a piece of high-tech art? You basically are. If you’re wondering what does a 100 dollar bill look like today, the answer is a lot more complex than it was twenty years ago. It’s not just "green paper" anymore. Honestly, it’s a teal, gold, and blue masterpiece designed to give North Korean counterfeiters a massive headache.
Benjamin Franklin is still the star of the show. Obviously. But he’s got some new company. Since the 2013 redesign, the "Benjamin" has become the most sophisticated piece of currency in the world. People call it the "Blue Note" now because of that massive vertical 3D security ribbon running down the center. It’s distinct. It’s loud. And if you’re traveling abroad, it’s the only bill that some currency exchanges will even accept without a fight.
The Big Face: Benjamin Franklin’s Modern Makeover
Let's talk about the man himself. Franklin looks different on the current series than he did on your grandpa’s cash. For starters, he’s huge. The portrait is enlarged, and the traditional oval border that used to frame him is long gone. He’s just floating there on the left side of the bill. It’s a portrait based on Joseph-Siffred Duplessis’s 1785 painting, and if you look really closely at his jacket, you can see "The United States of America" printed in microscopic letters along the collar.
The paper isn't even paper. That's a common misconception. It's a blend of 75% cotton and 25% linen. That’s why it doesn’t fall apart in the wash like a receipt would. It has a specific texture—raised printing, or intaglio, which gives the bill a "rough" feel. If you run your fingernail across Ben’s shoulder, it should feel like a tiny washboard. If it’s smooth? You might have a problem.
The 3D Security Ribbon: The "Blue" in the Blue Note
If you’re trying to figure out what does a 100 dollar bill look like to verify its authenticity, the blue ribbon is your best friend. This isn't just printed on the surface. It’s woven into the paper. Literally through it.
When you tilt the bill back and forth, you’ll see little bells and the number 100 moving. But here’s the trippy part: when you tilt the bill vertically, the bells and 100s move horizontally. When you tilt it horizontally, they move vertically. It’s an optical illusion powered by nearly a million micro-lenses. It’s incredibly expensive to produce, which is exactly why the Secret Service loves it. It’s the first thing you should check.
The Bell in the Inkwell
Just to the right of Franklin’s shoulder, there’s a copper-colored inkwell. Inside that inkwell is a Bell. This is one of the coolest security features because it uses color-shifting ink. When you tilt the bill, the Bell changes from a bright copper to a vivid green. This makes the Bell appear to vanish and reappear inside the inkwell.
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Wait. There's more. The large "100" in the bottom right corner does the same thing. It’s copper when you look at it straight on, then turns green as you shift the angle. It’s a trick of chemistry. The ink contains tiny flakes of metallic material that reflect light differently depending on how it hits them.
What’s on the Back? Independence Hall
Turn the bill over. You’re looking at Independence Hall in Philadelphia. But don't look at the building; look at the clock tower. There’s an old myth that the time on the clock is set to 4:10, but on the new 2013 series, the hands actually point to approximately 10:30.
The back is also where you’ll see a massive gold "100" printed vertically on the right side. It’s designed to help people with visual impairments distinguish the denomination, but it also serves as a massive "keep out" sign for amateur scanners. Low-end printers struggle to replicate the shimmer and the exact hue of that gold ink.
The Hidden Details: Watermarks and Microprinting
If you hold the bill up to a light, a faint image of Benjamin Franklin appears in the blank space to the right of the portrait. It’s visible from both sides. This is the watermark. It shouldn’t look like a stamp; it should be part of the paper’s fibers, subtle and soft.
There is also a security thread embedded vertically to the left of the portrait. It’s a thin plastic strip that says "USA" and "100" in an alternating pattern. If you hit it with a UV light—like the ones they have at gas stations—the strip glows bright pink. If it glows blue or green, it’s a fake.
Microprinting is everywhere on this bill. Aside from the collar, look for:
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- "USA 100" in the space around the watermark.
- "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" on Franklin’s lapel.
- "ONE HUNDRED USA" along the golden quill.
You basically need a magnifying glass to see these, which is the point. Most counterfeiters use inkjet or laser printers that simply cannot resolve text that small. It just turns into a blurry line.
Why Does the Design Keep Changing?
The U.S. government doesn't just change the design because they're bored. It’s an arms race. According to the Federal Reserve, the $100 bill is the most frequently counterfeited note outside the United States. Inland, the $20 is more common, but globally, the "Benjamin" is king.
The "Series 2009" and "Series 2009A" notes (which were actually released in 2013 due to production delays) were a direct response to "Supernotes." These were high-quality counterfeits allegedly produced by state actors that were almost indistinguishable from the real thing. By adding the blue 3D ribbon and the color-shifting Bell, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing made it nearly impossible for anyone without a multi-million dollar printing press to keep up.
How to Spot a Fake in 5 Seconds
Honestly, you don't need a PhD in currency to know what does a 100 dollar bill look like when it's real. Forget the pens. The counterfeit detector pens are unreliable; they just react to the starch in wood-based paper. If a counterfeiter bleaches a $5 bill and prints a $100 on it, the pen will say it’s "real" because the paper is technically US currency paper.
Instead, do this:
- Feel it. Rub your thumb over Franklin’s jacket. It should be rough.
- Tilt it. Watch the blue ribbon. Do the bells move?
- Check the Bell. Does it change from copper to green in the inkwell?
- Light it up. Hold it to the sun. Can you see Ben’s ghost in the watermark?
If it passes those four tests, it's almost certainly legit.
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The Role of the $100 Bill in 2026
We live in an increasingly digital world. You probably pay for your coffee with your phone. But the $100 bill is actually more popular than ever. There are more $100 bills in circulation right now than $1s. Why? Because the $100 bill has become a global store of value. People in unstable economies hoard them.
It’s also why the design is so iconic. The "Big Ben" look is recognized in the smallest villages in the Andes and the busiest markets in Tokyo. When someone asks what does a 100 dollar bill look like, they aren't just asking about aesthetics; they're asking about the international gold standard of paper money.
Real-World Advice for Handling Benjamins
If you find yourself with an older $100 bill—the ones with the smaller portrait in the oval—don't panic. They are still legal tender. However, be aware that many retailers won't take them because they lack the modern security features. You might have to take those to a bank to exchange them.
Also, if you're traveling, stick to the "New Blue" notes. In many countries, particularly in Southeast Asia and the Middle East, money changers will either refuse old-style $100 bills or give you a much worse exchange rate for them. They want the blue ribbon. It’s their insurance policy against being scammed.
Actionable Checklist for Authenticity
- The Texture Test: Run your fingernail over the "United States of America" text. You should feel the ridges of the ink.
- The Ribbon Check: Ensure the blue 3D ribbon is woven into the paper, not just printed on top. You should be able to see it thread in and out of the surface.
- The Watermark Confirmation: Hold the bill to a light source. The watermark portrait should match the main portrait exactly, just smaller and fainter.
- The Serial Number Match: Every bill has a unique serial number. If you have two bills with the same number, one (or both) is a fake. The first letter of the serial number corresponds to the series year.
- The Federal Reserve Seal: Look for the black seal to the left of the portrait. It should be crisp and sharp, representing the entire Federal Reserve System, not just one specific bank like older versions.
If you ever suspect you have a counterfeit, don't try to spend it. That’s a felony. Take it to the local police or a bank. They’ll take it out of circulation. You won’t get your $100 back (which sucks, admittedly), but you’ll stay out of a deposition with the Secret Service.
Knowing the visual cues of a $100 bill isn't just for bank tellers. It’s for anyone who sells something on Facebook Marketplace or works a cash job. The blue ribbon, the shifting bell, and the rough texture of Ben’s coat are your best defenses in a world where printers are getting way too good for their own luck.