You’ve probably held one. Maybe you’ve even called it a "Benjamin" or a "C-note." But have you ever stopped to wonder why a guy who was never actually the President of the United States gets to be the face of our most valuable common currency?
Honestly, it’s a bit of a weird flex for the U.S. Treasury.
The man staring back at you with that slight, knowing smirk is Benjamin Franklin. He’s been the face of the $100 bill since 1914, and he isn't going anywhere. While almost every other bill features a Commander-in-Chief—Washington, Lincoln, Grant—Franklin is the ultimate outlier.
He's the "Founding Father who never slept," basically.
Why Benjamin Franklin?
The decision to put Franklin on the bill wasn't some random accident. It was a very deliberate move by the Department of the Treasury. Back in 1914, when the first Federal Reserve notes started circulating, they needed figures who represented the "American spirit."
Franklin was the easy choice. He wasn't just a politician; he was a polymath. Think of him as the 18th-century version of a tech mogul, a diplomat, and a rockstar all rolled into one.
His resume is genuinely insane:
- He discovered that lightning was electricity (the kite and key thing).
- He invented bifocals because he was tired of switching glasses.
- He founded the first public library and the first fire department in America.
- He negotiated the treaty with France that literally saved the American Revolution.
Basically, he represented the idea that you could come from nothing—he was the 15th child of a candle maker—and become the most famous man in the world through sheer brainpower and hustle. That’s the "American Dream" in a nutshell, which is why he’s on the money.
The Evolution of the "Benjamin"
If you find a $100 bill from 1950 and compare it to one you just pulled from an ATM in 2026, they look like completely different species.
Before 1914, the $100 bill actually featured people like Abraham Lincoln (who eventually moved to the $5) and even Admiral David Farragut. But once Franklin took the spot, he held it down.
The "Big Head" redesign happened in 1996. They stripped away the oval frame and made his portrait larger and slightly off-center. Why? To make it harder to fake. It’s much easier for a human eye to notice a tiny smudge on a face than on a patterned background.
Then came the "Blue Note" in 2013. This is the one we use today. It’s got that thick 3D security ribbon woven into the paper. If you tilt it, you’ll see bells change into the number 100. It's kinda futuristic for a piece of paper.
The Secret Symbols You Probably Missed
Look closer at your cash. There is a ton of hidden detail on the current $100 bill that most people never notice.
Next to Franklin’s portrait, there is a copper-colored inkwell. Inside that inkwell is a Liberty Bell. If you tilt the bill, the bell changes from copper to green, making it look like it’s appearing and disappearing.
Then there’s the Independence Hall vignette on the back. Most people don’t realize that the time on the clock tower used to be set to approximately 4:10, though on the newer notes, it’s harder to read without a magnifying glass.
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Speaking of magnifying glasses, there is "microprinting" all over this thing. If you look at Franklin’s jacket collar, you’ll see the words "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" printed in letters so small they look like a solid line to the naked eye.
Is He the Only Non-President?
Nope. He’s got company.
Alexander Hamilton is on the $10 bill. Like Franklin, Hamilton was never president, but he was the first Secretary of the Treasury and basically built the U.S. financial system from scratch.
There’s a common myth that you have to be a president to be on money. That’s just not true. The only real legal requirement is that the person must be deceased. Federal law (31 U.S.C. 5114) strictly prohibits the portrait of any living person from appearing on U.S. Government securities.
Actionable Tips for Spotting a Fake $100 Bill
Since the $100 is the most counterfeited note outside the U.S., you should know how to check it. Don't just rely on those yellow markers—they're easy to beat.
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- Feel the shoulder: Run your fingernail across Benjamin Franklin’s shoulder. You should feel distinct ridges. This is "raised printing," and it’s very hard for cheap printers to replicate.
- Check the Ribbon: That blue 3D ribbon isn't printed on the paper; it’s woven through it. If you can peel it off, it’s a fake.
- The Watermark: Hold the bill up to a bright light. You should see a faint image of Franklin in the white space on the right. It should be visible from both sides.
- The Glow Test: If you have a UV light, the security thread (the thin vertical strip) should glow pink under the light.
If you’re ever in doubt, just compare it to a bill you know is real. Your brain is surprisingly good at spotting "uncanny valley" versions of Ben Franklin’s face. Trust your gut.
The $100 bill is more than just money; it’s a tribute to a guy who thought his way into history. Next time you’re paying for dinner with a "Benjamin," take a second to look at the inkwell. It’s a tiny piece of engineering history right in your pocket.
Next Steps for Your Finances
- Verify your cash: If you handle a lot of cash, invest in a small UV light to check for the pink security thread on $100s.
- Track the redesign: The U.S. Treasury plans to update the $10 bill next in 2026, with the $100 not scheduled for another overhaul until 2034.
- Check your serials: Rare serial numbers (like "ladders" 12345678) can make a $100 bill worth much more than its face value to collectors.