You’ve held it. You’ve definitely wanted more of them. But honestly, most people just call it a "Benjamin" without thinking twice about the man staring back with that slightly judging, tight-lipped smirk.
Benjamin Franklin is the face on the US $100 bill.
He’s the only person on high-denomination circulating currency who wasn't a U.S. President. That's a weird quirk, right? Alexander Hamilton is on the ten, sure, but Franklin’s presence on the big C-note—the most powerful piece of paper in the global economy—is a deliberate nod to the guy who basically invented the American identity before the country even existed.
The man behind the $100 bill: Why Franklin?
The U.S. Treasury didn't just pick him because he had cool hair or a kite. Since 1928, Franklin has graced the $100 bill because his life’s work was the literal foundation of American civic and economic thought. He was the ultimate "Founding Father" who never held the top job but did all the heavy lifting in the background.
Franklin was a printer by trade. He understood the value of paper. He was also a scientist, a diplomat, and a philosopher who obsessed over "industry and frugality." When the Treasury Department decided to standardize currency portraits in the late 1920s, they wanted faces that were instantly recognizable and commanded respect. Franklin fit the bill. Pun intended.
His face conveys a sense of stability. That matters when you're talking about the highest value note currently issued by the Federal Reserve. If you’re carrying a hundred, you’re carrying a piece of the American Enlightenment.
Beyond the portrait: The 2013 redesign and security
The current $100 bill looks a lot different than the one your grandfather carried. The "Series 2004" design, which actually hit the streets in October 2013 after some annoying printing delays at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, turned the note into a high-tech marvel.
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It’s not just paper. It’s a 75% cotton and 25% linen blend. If you look closely at the right side of the portrait, there’s a 3-D Security Ribbon. It’s blue. It’s woven into the paper, not printed on it. When you tilt the bill, you’ll see bells change to 100s. It’s honestly sort of mesmerizing if you stare at it long enough.
There’s also the "Bell in the Inkwell." This is a copper-colored inkwell containing a green bell that shifts colors. This isn't just for aesthetics. It’s to stop guys with high-end scanners from ruining the economy. Counterfeiting is a cat-and-mouse game, and Benjamin Franklin is currently the most sophisticated mouse in the world.
The stuff people miss
Look at his shoulder. There’s microprinting. Very small. It says "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" along the quill and "USA 100" around the blank space where the watermark sits. You almost need a magnifying glass to see it.
The watermark itself is a faint image of Franklin. It’s visible from both sides when you hold it up to the light. If the watermark doesn't match the face, or if it’s missing, you’re holding a very expensive piece of scrap paper.
The "C-Note" and the global economy
The $100 bill is the most exported piece of American culture. More than half of all $100 bills circulate outside the United States.
Why? Because in places with unstable local currencies, the "Benjamin" is the ultimate insurance policy. It’s the "Gold Standard" without the gold. People hide them under floorboards in Buenos Aires and keep them in safes in Istanbul. It is a universal language of value.
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Some economists, like Kenneth Rogoff, have actually argued we should get rid of the $100 bill entirely. His argument in The Curse of Cash is that big bills make it too easy for tax evaders and criminals to move large sums of money. A million dollars in $100 bills fits in a briefcase. In $20 bills? You’d need a much bigger bag.
But for now, the $100 bill isn't going anywhere. It’s too vital for international trade and, frankly, it’s too iconic.
Fun facts that make you sound smart at parties
- No Presidents Club: Franklin is one of only two non-presidents on current bills. Alexander Hamilton ($10) is the other.
- The "Big Face" Change: Before 1996, Franklin’s portrait was much smaller and centered. The 1996 redesign pushed him to the left and made him bigger to make room for more security features.
- Life Expectancy: A $100 bill lasts a long time. While a $1 bill is usually trashed after about 6 years, a hundred survives for about 15 to 20 years because it doesn't get swapped around daily at coffee shops.
- Independence Hall: The back of the bill features the building where Franklin helped change the world. Look at the clock on the tower. On older bills, the time was roughly 4:10. On the new ones? It’s 10:30. Nobody really knows why the Treasury chose those specific times, though theories abound.
How to spot a fake Benjamin in 3 seconds
You don't need a UV light, though that helps (the security thread glows pink).
Just run your fingernail across Franklin’s shoulder. You should feel "raised printing." It has a distinct texture that traditional printers can't easily replicate. It feels scratchy and "alive." Most fakes feel flat and waxy.
Also, check the color-shifting "100" in the bottom right corner. It should flip from copper to green. If it stays one color, get rid of it.
Benjamin Franklin’s lasting legacy on your wallet
Franklin was the one who said "A penny saved is a penny earned." It's poetic that he ended up on the largest note. He was an advocate for paper currency long before the U.S. was a sovereign nation, even writing a pamphlet in 1729 called A Modest Enquiry into the Nature and Necessity of a Paper-Currency.
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He argued that a lack of currency stifled trade. He was right then, and his face continues to facilitate billions of transactions every single day.
Next time you’re lucky enough to have one of these in your hand, take a second. Look at the blue ribbon. Feel the texture of his coat. Check the watermark. It’s a masterpiece of engineering and history disguised as money.
Practical steps for handling $100 bills
If you deal with cash frequently, especially if you're in retail or a gig-economy role, invest in a simple counterfeit detector pen. They aren't perfect—bleached bills can trick them—but they catch the lazy fakes.
More importantly, learn the "Tilt and Touch" method.
- Tilt the bill to see the blue 3-D ribbon move.
- Touch the portrait to feel the raised ink.
- Hold it to the light to find the Franklin watermark and the security thread.
If those three things check out, you're holding a genuine piece of American history. If you find a fake, don't try to spend it—that's a felony. Hand it over to local police or the Secret Service. They’re the ones who actually handle the "money" side of things for the government.
Stay sharp. Money is only worth what we trust it to be, and Benjamin Franklin is the guy we've all agreed to trust.