The portrait on the modern U.S. one-hundred-dollar bill belongs to Benjamin Franklin, one of the primary Founding Fathers of the United States. Unlike most other figures featured on American paper currency, Franklin never served as president. His permanent fixture on the highest commonly circulated denomination in the United States stems from his multifaceted legacy as a printer, scientist, inventor, statesman, and diplomat.
Understanding why Benjamin Franklin adorns the $100 bill requires looking past basic trivia. His placement reflects an intentional choice by the U.S. Department of the Treasury to honor intellect, public service, and pragmatism over military command or presidential authority.
Who Is Benjamin Franklin and Why Him?
Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston in 1706 to a humble family of tallow chandlers. He forged his early career as a printer and writer, eventually publishing Poor Richard's Almanack, which popularized maxims on thrift, hard work, and civic responsibility. Beyond publishing, his scientific inquiries into electricity, along with practical inventions like the lightning rod and bifocals, established him globally as an intellectual luminary of the Enlightenment.
When the U.S. government standardized paper currency layouts, officials sought symbols of enduring national identity. Franklin's face first appeared on the $100 Federal Reserve Note in 1914 under Secretary of the Treasury William G. McAdoo. Treasury officials favored him because his contributions bridged the gap between foundational statecraft and practical ingenuity. He helped draft both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, and his diplomatic maneuvering in France during the Revolutionary War secured vital financial and military backing for the nascent American republic.
The Evolution of the 100 Dollar Note
The $100 bill hasn't always looked the way it does today. Before the modern series of Federal Reserve Notes took shape, the U.S. government issued various iterations of large and small-sized notes featuring different historical figures.
During the American Civil War, the federal government issued early demand notes and legal tender notes to fund military operations. Early $100 notes featured figures such as Civil War Treasury Secretary Salmon P. Chase, Admiral David Farragut, and President Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln's portrait graced the $100 denomination from 1869 until 1914, when the Treasury transitioned Lincoln to the $5 bill and moved Franklin to the $100 note.
The standardization wave of 1929 reduced the physical size of U.S. currency and locked in Benjamin Franklin's portrait on the obverse alongside Independence Hall on the reverse. For decades, minor adjustments occurred regarding treasury seals, serial number colors, and legal tender wording, but the core aesthetic remained stable.
Modern Security and Design Transformations
Counterfeiting pressures in the late 20th and early 21st centuries forced dramatic overhauls of the $100 note.
- The 1990 Series: Introduced microprinting around Franklin's portrait and a metallic security thread embedded in the paper.
- The 1996 Series: Enlarged the portrait, added a watermark of Franklin, and integrated color-shifting ink for the numeral 100 in the bottom right corner.
- The 2013 Series: Represented the most significant redesign, featuring a blue 3D security ribbon with alternating images of bells and 100s, a color-shifting bell inside a copper inkwell, and raised intaglio printing.
These design updates ensure that the bill remains difficult to replicate while preserving the classic portrait engraved by Durand, Perrot & Co. after an original painting by Joseph Duplessis.
Common Misconceptions About Currency Figures
People frequently assume that all figures on U.S. paper money served as president. In reality, Alexander Hamilton (found on the $10] and Benjamin Franklin (found on the $100) are the only two non-presidents featured on currently circulated U.S. paper banknotes.
Another common point of confusion involves the back of the bill. While many observers mistake the building on the reverse for the U.S. Capitol or a courthouse, it is Independence Hall in Philadelphia—the historic site where both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were debated and signed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Benjamin Franklin ever a U.S. President?
No. Franklin never held the office of U.S. President. He served as the President of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania, but his national and international prominence stemmed from his roles as a scientist, author, inventor, and diplomat.
Why is the $100 bill often called a "Benjamin"?
Because Benjamin Franklin's portrait occupies the front of the note, slang terms like "Benjamins" or "Franklins" naturally developed in American culture, popularized further through hip-hop music, cinema, and everyday financial dialogue.
What building is featured on the back of the $100 bill?
The reverse side displays Independence Hall, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The clock tower on the building is historically set to approximately 4:10, though exact interpretations of the clock hands vary among historians and engravers.
Are older versions of the $100 bill still legal tender?
Yes. The United States government does not demonetize its currency. Every series of Federal Reserve Notes issued since 1914 remains legally valid at its face value, though older designs lack modern anti-counterfeiting safeguards like security ribbons and color-shifting ink.
