Who is on the $100 Bill: Why Benjamin Franklin Still Holds the Spot

You’ve probably held one today, or at least wished you had. It’s the "C-note." The "Benny." The "Benjamin." When people ask whose face is on the $100 bill, they’re usually looking for a quick name, but the story behind why Benjamin Franklin is there—and why he hasn’t been replaced by a President—is actually pretty wild.

He wasn't a President. Never was.

That’s the first thing that trips people up. George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Jackson—they all led the country from the Oval Office. Franklin? He was just a guy with a kite, some bifocals, and a massive amount of influence. Honestly, he’s probably the most "Renaissance Man" figure in American history, and his face has been plastered on the largest denomination of U.S. currency in general circulation since 1914.

The Man Behind the Hundred

Benjamin Franklin wasn't just a face chosen at random by some committee. He was the "First American." He basically invented the concept of the United States before it was even a thing. If you look at the $100 bill today, you see a portrait based on a 1785 painting by Joseph-Siffred Duplessis. It’s a classic image. It shows him looking a bit smug, a bit wise, and definitely like he knows something you don't.

Why him?

The Treasury Department says they feature "persons whose places in history the American people know well." But it goes deeper. Franklin was a printer. He understood the value of paper. He actually printed colonial currency in his own shop in Philadelphia. Talk about full circle. He was also a diplomat, a scientist, and a Founding Father. Basically, he’s on the bill because he represents American ingenuity. He’s the personification of the "self-made man," which is exactly what the U.S. wants to project to the rest of the world.

The $100 Bill Evolution: Security and Style

Money changes. It has to. If it stayed the same, counterfeiters would have a field day. If you compare a $100 bill from 1990 to the one in your wallet right now, they look like completely different species.

The newest version, which hit the streets in 2013, is a high-tech masterpiece. It has that 3D Security Ribbon. Have you ever actually looked at that? If you tilt the bill, the bells change to 100s. It’s not printed on the paper; it’s woven into it. Then there’s the Bell in the Inkwell. It changes color from copper to green, making it look like the bell disappears and reappears. It’s honestly kind of trippy if you stare at it too long.

Microprinting and Watermarks

If you’ve got a magnifying glass, look at Franklin's jacket. There’s tiny text that says "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA." You can also find "USA 100" around the blank space where the watermark sits. Speaking of watermarks, if you hold the bill up to the light, a faint image of Franklin appears on the right side. It’s supposed to be there. If it’s not, you’re holding a very expensive piece of scrap paper.

The Blue Ribbon

That blue ribbon in the middle is the biggest tell. It’s made of hundreds of thousands of micro-lenses. When you move the bill, the images move. It’s one of the most advanced security features in the world, and it’s part of the reason why the $100 bill is the most frequently counterfeited note outside of the United States. Inside the U.S., people usually try to fake 20s because they're less scrutinized, but internationally? It's all about the Benjamins.

Myths and Misconceptions

People think only Presidents can be on money.

Nope.

Look at the $10 bill. Alexander Hamilton. He was the first Secretary of the Treasury, but he never sat in the President's chair. Franklin is the only other "non-President" on our current paper bills. There’s also a weird myth that Franklin was a Mason and hid secret codes in the bill. While he was a Mason, the "secret codes" are usually just high-level security features designed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to stop people in basements from printing their own money.

Another common question: Is the $100 bill the highest denomination?

Technically, no. But for you and me, yes. The U.S. used to print $500, $1,000, $5,000, and even $10,000 bills. There was even a $100,000 gold certificate used only for transactions between Federal Reserve banks. Imagine walking into a 7-Eleven with a $10,000 bill. They stopped printing those in 1945 and officially quit issuing them in 1969. So, the $100 bill is the king of the mountain for the average citizen.

How to Tell if Your Benjamin is Real

You don't need to be an expert to spot a fake, but you do need to know what to feel. Genuine U.S. currency uses a special blend of 75% cotton and 25% linen. It’s not actually "paper" in the traditional sense. It has a raised feel to it. If you run your fingernail along Franklin’s shoulder, it should feel rough. That’s "intaglio" printing. It’s incredibly hard to replicate with a standard inkjet printer.

1. Feel the paper: It should be slightly rough and durable.
2. Check the ribbon: Does the blue 3D ribbon move when you tilt it?
3. Look for the watermark: Hold it to the light. Is Franklin there?
4. Color-shifting ink: Does the "100" in the bottom right corner change from copper to green?

If any of those are missing, you might have a problem. Most retail stores use those little yellow pens to check for starch (which is in wood-based paper but not in the cotton/linen blend), but those pens can be fooled. The physical security features—the ribbon and the ink—are much more reliable.

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Why the $100 Bill Matters Globally

The U.S. dollar is the world’s reserve currency. In many countries with unstable local money, the $100 bill is the gold standard. It’s estimated that over half of all $100 bills actually circulate outside of the United States. It’s a store of value. It’s a hedge against inflation. When people in other countries want to save money safely, they hide $100 bills under their mattresses.

That’s why the design doesn’t change that often. The Treasury has to be careful. If they change the look too drastically, people around the world might lose trust in it. Every time they update the bill, they have to run a massive global education campaign so everyone from a banker in London to a shopkeeper in rural Vietnam knows what the new "Benny" looks like.

The Future of Franklin

Is the $100 bill going away? Probably not anytime soon, despite the rise of Venmo, Apple Pay, and Bitcoin. Cash is still king for a lot of people who want privacy or don't have access to traditional banking. There’s a certain weight to a $100 bill that digital numbers on a screen just can’t match.

While there have been talks about changing the faces on other bills—like putting Harriet Tubman on the $20—Benjamin Franklin’s spot on the $100 seems pretty secure. He’s an icon. He represents the American spirit of invention and pragmatism. Plus, "The Franklins" just sounds right.

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Actionable Steps for Handling Large Bills

If you’re someone who deals with cash frequently, or you just happened to sell an old couch on Craigslist for a stack of hundreds, here’s how to stay safe:

• Download the "Cash Assist" App: The U.S. government actually has an official app that helps you identify security features using your phone's camera.
• Don't rely on pens: As mentioned, counterfeiters have found ways around the chemical pens. Rely on the 3D ribbon and the color-shifting ink.
• Check the serial numbers: If you have a stack of bills and two of them have the exact same serial number, one (or both) is definitely fake.
• Know the law: If you receive a counterfeit bill, you can’t just "pass it on" to someone else to get your money back. That’s a felony. You’re supposed to turn it over to the Secret Service or local police.

Understanding whose face is on the $100 bill is the first step in appreciating the history of American money. Whether you’re a collector, a business owner, or just someone who likes having a few "Bens" in their wallet, knowing the details of the note makes you a more informed consumer. Franklin was a man of the people, and his presence on the most valuable bill in our pockets is a reminder that you don't have to be a President to change the world—or to end up as the face of the American dream.