100 Dollar Bill: Security Features, History, and Facts (2026)

Benjamin Franklin has appeared on the $100 Federal Reserve Note since 1914, making him the only non-president to appear on a regularly circulating U.S. banknote. The reverse of the note features Independence Hall in Philadelphia, a nod to Franklin's role as a Founding Father and signer of the Declaration of Independence. The $100 bill has undergone multiple redesigns since it was first introduced, with major updates in 1996, 2003, and most recently in 2013 — each adding new security features in response to advances in counterfeiting technology. The U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing, a bureau of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, is responsible for printing Federal Reserve Notes. See also: how many dimes make $5.

The current $100 bill incorporates several security features that are difficult or impossible to replicate on standard printing equipment. The Federal Reserve and Treasury recommend checking these features whenever you receive a $100 bill: See also: how many quarters in a roll.

• 3-D Security Ribbon: A blue ribbon woven into the paper — not printed on it — that shifts from bells to 100s when tilted. This is a primary authentication feature.
• Bell in the Inkwell: A copper-colored bell appears inside a gold inkwell on the front of the bill. When the bill is tilted, the bell shifts to green, mimicking a color-changing ink effect.
• Color-Shifting Ink: The large numeral "100" in the lower right corner of the front shifts from copper to green when tilted. This feature has been on the $100 bill since 1996.
• Portrait Watermark: A faint image of Benjamin Franklin is visible when the bill is held up to light, embedded in the paper itself rather than printed on the surface.
• Security Thread: A vertical security thread embedded in the paper reads "USA 100" and glows pink under ultraviolet light.
• Microprinting: The words "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" appear in tiny print on Franklin's collar, and "USA 100" appears along the security ribbon.

The Federal Reserve recommends a simple three-step check for verifying $100 bills:

1. Tilt the bill to observe the 3-D security ribbon shifting and the color-shifting "100" numeral on the lower right corner.
2. Hold it to light to check for the portrait watermark of Franklin and confirm the embedded security thread position.
3. Feel the texture — genuine Federal Reserve Notes have a raised print texture on the portrait, large numeral, and the words "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" that can be felt by running your fingernail across the surface.

If you suspect a bill may be counterfeit, do not return it to the person who gave it to you. Contact your local police department or the U.S. Secret Service, which has jurisdiction over currency counterfeiting. See also: how to cash in savings bonds.

Federal Reserve Notes are legal tender for all debts, public and private, as stated on each bill. As of recent Federal Reserve data, the $100 bill is one of the most widely held denominations by value, both domestically and internationally. Federal Reserve Notes are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. The Federal Reserve Board of Governors publishes regular data on currency in circulation, which is available at the Federal Reserve's public statistics website. See also: what is a checking account.

The Federal Reserve estimates the average lifespan of a $100 bill in circulation at approximately 22.9 years — significantly longer than smaller denominations, because $100 bills are used less frequently for everyday transactions and are therefore subject to less wear. The Federal Reserve regularly removes worn and damaged currency from circulation and replaces it with new notes. Consumers can exchange damaged or mutilated currency at their local bank or, for severely damaged currency, by submitting a claim to the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing. See also: cashless society.