You’ve probably held one. Maybe you’ve even tucked it under a mattress or nervously checked it for a watermark under a grocery store light. But have you ever really looked at the guy staring back? People call them "Benjamins" for a reason. Benjamin Franklin is the face on the $100 bill, and honestly, he’s a bit of an oddity in your wallet.
He’s not a President.
That's the big one. Most people just assume that to get your face on a piece of high-value American cotton-linen paper, you had to live in the White House. Nope. Franklin is one of only two "non-Presidents" currently featured on circulating U.S. paper currency. The other is Alexander Hamilton on the $10 bill. But while Hamilton was the first Secretary of the Treasury—basically the guy who built the shop—Franklin’s presence is a nod to something much deeper. He was a scientist, a writer, a diplomat, and a printer. He actually printed money himself back in the colonial days. There is a certain poetic justice in having a literal printer be the face of the most exported banknote in the world.
The man behind the $100 bill: Benjamin Franklin
Franklin didn’t just stumble onto the $100 bill by accident. He’s been there since 1914. Before that, the "C-note" was a wild west of design. At various points in the 1800s, you might have seen Winfield Scott, James Monroe, or even Abraham Lincoln on a hundred. But when the Federal Reserve Act of 1913 standardized things, Franklin became the permanent resident of the $100.
Why him? It’s about "Founding Father" status. Franklin was the only person to sign all four of the key documents that birthed the United States: the Declaration of Independence, the Treaty of Alliance with France, the Treaty of Paris, and the U.S. Constitution. He was the ultimate polymath. If the U.S. was a startup, Franklin was the guy who wrote the code, marketed the product, and secured the Series A funding from the French king.
🔗 Read more: Why A Force of One Still Matters in 2026: The Truth About Solo Success
He was also obsessed with thrift. "A penny saved is a penny earned" is the classic line attributed to him, though he actually wrote "A penny saved is two pence clear" in Poor Richard's Almanack. Putting the guy who preached fiscal responsibility on the largest denomination of currency in general circulation is a subtle bit of government irony.
Why the $100 bill looks so different now
If you compare a $100 bill from the 1980s to one printed today, the difference is staggering. The modern "Series 2009" and "Series 2009A" notes look like something out of a sci-fi movie. This is mostly because the $100 bill is the most frequently counterfeited note outside of the United States. In the U.S., the $20 bill is faked more often, but globally? It’s all about the Benjamins.
Take the 3D Security Ribbon. That blue strip woven into the paper—not printed on it—is a marvel of micro-optics. If you tilt the note, you’ll see bells change to 100s. It uses about a million "micro-lenses" to create that illusion. Then there’s the Bell in the Inkwell. Inside the copper-colored inkwell, there's a green bell that fades in and out as you move the bill. It’s incredibly difficult for a printer in a basement to replicate that level of color-shifting detail.
The portrait of Franklin itself has changed, too. In 1996, his head got significantly larger and moved slightly to the left. This wasn't just an aesthetic choice to show off his receding hairline; it made room for a watermark and made it harder to "bleach" lower denomination bills and reprint them as hundreds. If the portrait is larger, there’s more detail to get wrong.
💡 You might also like: Who Bought TikTok After the Ban: What Really Happened
Small details you’ve probably missed
- The Microprinting: Look at Franklin’s jacket collar. There are tiny words that say "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA." You need a magnifying glass to see it clearly.
- The Clock: On the back of the bill, there is an image of Independence Hall. The clock on the tower used to be set to 4:10, but on the newer notes, it’s set to 10:30. There’s no huge conspiracy here; it’s just a design update.
- The Quill: To the right of Ben’s head, there’s a gold quill. It represents the signing of the Declaration. It’s a nice touch for a guy who spent half his life writing.
The "New" 100 vs. The "Old" 100
There is a weird myth that old $100 bills aren't legal tender anymore. You see this sometimes when people travel abroad. Some exchange bureaus in Europe or Asia will refuse "small head" Benjamins (the ones printed before 1996).
Legally, they are wrong. All U.S. currency is valid forever, regardless of when it was printed. But from a practical standpoint, the older bills lack the modern security features, making them a higher risk for businesses. If you have a stack of 1980s hundreds, you might have a hard time spending them at a gas station, but any bank will take them.
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) produces billions of these notes. It’s actually the most expensive note to produce, costing about 14 cents per bill. Compare that to a $1 bill, which costs about 5 or 6 cents. You’re paying for the high-tech plastic threads and the specialized "color-shifting" ink that turns from copper to green.
Is Ben Franklin ever leaving the $100?
There has been a lot of talk about currency redesigns lately. You’ve probably heard about the plan to put Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill, replacing Andrew Jackson. But Ben Franklin? His spot is pretty secure.
📖 Related: What People Usually Miss About 1285 6th Avenue NYC
The $100 bill is a global reserve asset. Billions of dollars in hundreds are held overseas by people who don't trust their own local banks or governments. Because of this "global" status, the U.S. Treasury is very hesitant to make massive changes to the face of the bill. It represents stability.
How to spot a fake Benjamin
Since you're here because you care about who is on the $100 bill, you should probably know how to tell if Ben is actually real.
- Feel the paper. U.S. currency isn't paper; it’s 75% cotton and 25% linen. It should feel slightly rough, especially on Franklin’s shoulder where the "raised printing" (intaglio) is most prominent.
- Check the watermark. Hold the bill up to the light. You should see a faint image of Franklin in the blank space to the right of the portrait. It should be visible from both sides.
- The Security Thread. Again, hold it to the light. There’s a vertical thread embedded in the paper that glows pink under UV light. It says "USA 100" over and over.
- Tilt for the color shift. The "100" in the bottom right corner should change from copper to green. If it stays one color, it’s a bad fake.
Honestly, the $100 bill is a masterpiece of engineering. It’s basically a high-security document that we treat like a piece of paper. Franklin, a man who loved inventions and gadgetry, would probably be thrilled with the 3D ribbons and micro-lenses used to protect his image.
Actionable insights for handling $100 bills
- Don't panic over "old" bills: If you find an old $100 with a small portrait of Franklin, it’s still worth $100. If a retailer won't take it, just deposit it at your bank. They are legally required to accept it.
- Check your change: If you are in a cash-heavy business or selling something on Facebook Marketplace, always look for the blue 3D ribbon. It is the hardest feature to fake. If the ribbon is just printed on the surface and doesn't "move" when you tilt it, the bill is counterfeit.
- Storage matters: High-value notes can degrade if kept in high-humidity environments. If you’re "burying" cash, use a vacuum-sealed bag. The linen-cotton blend can actually mold if it gets damp and stays that way.
- Look for the "Stars": If you see a star at the end of the serial number (e.g., AB12345678*), that’s a "replacement note." It means the original bill was damaged during printing and replaced. Some collectors pay a premium for these, though usually only if they are in perfect, uncirculated condition.