Why the 100 US bill face looks so different today

You’ve probably held one and stared at it without really looking at it. The 100 US bill face belongs to Benjamin Franklin, but if you compare a note from the early nineties to the blue-ribboned version in your wallet right now, it’s basically a different person. Or at least, a much more detailed one. Honestly, it’s kinda wild how much security tech is crammed into a three-inch portrait of a guy who died in 1790.

Most people think the portrait is just about tradition. It isn't. It's a battlefield.

Every line on Franklin’s face, from the crinkle near his eyes to the specific texture of his cravat, is designed to be a nightmare for counterfeiters. When the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) redesigned the note, they didn't just make the 100 US bill face larger for aesthetic reasons. They did it because a bigger face is harder to fake. Small details get lost in cheap scans.

The man who was never President

It’s the most common trivia trap. People see the "C-note" and assume Franklin was a President. He wasn't. He’s one of only two non-presidents on currently circulating bills—Alexander Hamilton being the other.

Why him?

Franklin was basically the quintessential American polymath. He was a diplomat, a scientist, a writer, and, perhaps most importantly for the Treasury, a printer. He actually printed colonial currency himself. He even used secret "nature prints" from real leaves to prevent counterfeiting back in the 1700s. It’s poetic, really. The man who obsessed over the security of paper money in the colonies is now the face of the most heavily protected piece of paper on Earth.

Why the 100 US bill face got a "facelift"

If you look at a "small-head" bill from the 1980s, Franklin looks tiny and encased in a heavy oval frame. In 1996, the portrait was shifted slightly to the left and enlarged. This wasn't just a design choice. By moving the 100 US bill face off-center, the Treasury made room for a watermark and reduced the wear on the portrait when the bill is folded in half.

Then came the 2013 redesign.

This is the version with the 3D Security Ribbon. If you tilt the note, you’ll notice that the bells change to 100s. But look closer at Franklin. The engraving is significantly more "shredded" than older versions. The intaglio printing process creates a raised texture. If you run your fingernail along his shoulder, you should feel a distinct vibration. If it’s smooth? You’ve got a problem.

Identifying the real Benjamin

The 100 US bill face contains microprinting that is almost impossible to replicate with a standard inkjet printer. If you use a magnifying glass, you can see "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" along the edges of the portrait. It looks like a solid line to the naked eye. It’s the kind of detail that makes the BEP’s work look more like fine art than government manufacturing.

The "New" vs. "Old" Benjamin Franklin

It's actually pretty funny how some people react to the different versions. In many parts of the world—places like Southeast Asia or Eastern Europe—money changers are notoriously picky. They might reject a "big head" Franklin from 2006 even if it's perfectly legal tender. They want the "blue" ones. The 2013 Series.

Why? Because the older 100 US bill face is easier to "supernote."

Supernotes are high-end counterfeits, often rumored to be produced by state actors using genuine 75% cotton and 25% linen paper. These fakes are so good they can fool some older scanners. By updating the portrait and adding the color-shifting ink in the Bell in the Inkwell, the US government basically forced counterfeiters to start from scratch.

The secret textures of the portrait

There is a specific "feel" to the 100 US bill face that comes from the way the ink is pushed into the paper under tons of pressure. It’s not just printed on top; it’s part of the fiber.

1. The hair texture: Franklin’s hair has distinct, flowing lines that shouldn't blur together.
2. The eyes: On a genuine bill, the eyes are sharp and clear. On a fake, they often look "dead" or slightly muddy because the printer couldn't handle the micro-shading.
3. The background: The fine lines behind the head shouldn't bleed into the portrait.

What to do if the face looks "off"

If you’re staring at a 100 US bill face and something feels weird, don't just look at the portrait. Use the "feel test" first. Real US currency paper is actually fabric. It’s mostly cotton. If it feels like standard printer paper, the portrait’s quality doesn't even matter—it’s fake.

Check the watermark. Hold it up to the light. You should see a faint image of Benjamin Franklin in the blank space to the right of the main portrait. This watermark is visible from both sides. Interestingly, the watermark is often what counterfeiters mess up the most; they either print it on the surface or it looks like a cartoon of a ghost.

Actionable tips for verifying a 100 dollar bill

• Tilt it. Watch the Bell in the Inkwell change from copper to green.
• Feel it. Rub your finger over Ben’s shoulder for the raised texture.
• Light it. Look for the security thread that glows pink under UV light.
• Magnify it. Find the "USA 100" printed on the jacket collar.

The 100 US bill face is more than just a tribute to a Founding Father. It is a masterpiece of security engineering. From the micro-engraving in his hair to the color-shifting ink on the right side of his chest, every millimeter is a hurdle for criminals. The next time you have one, take a second to actually look at Ben. He’s doing a lot of work to keep that hundred dollars worth exactly one hundred dollars.

Understand that the US Treasury doesn't change these designs for fun. It costs billions to update the global supply of cash. They do it because the 100 US bill face is the most targeted piece of currency in the world. Keeping it complex is the only way to keep it safe.

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Check your cash. Use the light. Trust the texture. Ben is watching.