Benjamin Franklin graces the United States 100 dollar bill, a position he has held continuously since 1913. Unlike most other major U.S. currency portraits, which depict former presidents, Franklin is the only non-president featured on current circulating paper money. His presence on the highest common denomination reflects his towering status as a Founding Father, diplomat, printer, and scientist whose influence shaped early American society.
Beyond the portrait itself, the modern 100 dollar bill stands as a marvel of currency design and anti-counterfeiting technology. The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Federal Reserve continuously update these notes to stay ahead of illicit replication. Understanding the note involves looking past the familiar face to examine why Franklin was selected, how the design evolved over more than a century, and which security elements protect it from modern threats.
Why Benjamin Franklin is on the 100 Dollar Bill
When the Federal Reserve note was first standardized in 1913, officials selected Benjamin Franklin for the $100 denomination to honor his multi-faceted contributions to the American nation. While figures like George Washington and Abraham Lincoln represented presidential leadership, Franklin represented the intellectual, scientific, and entrepreneurial spirit of the revolution.
Franklin didn't serve as president, but he played a critical role in drafting the Declaration of Independence and negotiating the Treaty of Paris, which secured American independence from Great Britain. His face on the note links modern commerce directly back to the Enlightenment ideals of civic duty, self-reliance, and scientific inquiry.
Choosing Franklin also broke the mold of purely political portraiture. By featuring a printer, author, and inventor, the Treasury acknowledged that nation-building required more than military and political muscle. It required thinkers who could bridge the gap between European science and colonial ingenuity.
The Evolution of the 100 Dollar Note
The design of the Benjamin Franklin note didn't happen overnight. It went through several distinct phases throughout the twentieth and twenty-first centuries as printing technology advanced and security demands shifted.
In 1913, the Federal Reserve launched the first standardized $100 note featuring Franklin alongside a small vignette of Independence Hall. This early version was large, often called "horse blanket" currency, and lacked the sophisticated security inks used today.
By 1928, the U.S. government reduced the physical size of all paper currency by about thirty percent to save production costs. This redesign updated Franklin's portrait and replaced the back vignette with an image of the Liberty Bell. The Liberty Bell pairing made logical sense, as Philadelphia served as the home for both Franklin's life's work and the historic symbol of American freedom.
The next major shift occurred in 1996. Faced with high-tech copiers and scanners, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing introduced a larger portrait of Franklin, shifted it slightly off-center to make room for a watermark, and added color-shifting ink that turned from green to black depending on the viewing angle.
The most recent major redesign rolled out in 2013. This version kept the core tribute to Franklin and Independence Hall but added striking blue 3D security ribbons and color-shifting copper-to-green ink wells designed to halt modern high-resolution counterfeiters.
Advanced Security Features on Modern Bills
Counterfeiting remains a constant battleground for central banks worldwide. Because the $100 bill is widely circulated both domestically and internationally, it is a frequent target for illegal reproduction. The current series includes several distinct physical features that make detection straightforward for cashiers, banks, and everyday consumers.
- Three-Dimensional Security Ribbon: Located on the blue ribbon woven into the paper, this feature displays images of bells and the number 100 that shift and move when you tilt the bill back and forth.
- Bell in the Inkwell: A copper-colored inkwell on the front of the note contains a hidden bell that shifts from copper to green when the bill is tilted. This color-changing effect is notoriously difficult for counterfeiters to replicate with standard printer ink.
- Color-Shifting Numeral 100: The large '100' in the lower right-hand corner of the front changes color from copper to green as you tilt the note up and down.
- Portrait Watermark: Holding the bill up to a light reveals a faint image of Benjamin Franklin in the blank space to the right of the main portrait. This watermark is visible from both sides of the paper.
- Security Thread: A thin, embedded plastic thread runs vertically up the paper and glows pink when exposed to ultraviolet light.
Common Misconceptions About U.S. Currency
People often circulate myths about paper money, particularly regarding Benjamin Franklin and the $100 bill. One common rumor suggests that non-presidents are barred from appearing on U.S. currency by federal law.
In reality, federal law dictates that portraits on circulating notes must be deceased historical figures whose authenticity has been verified, but there is no strict requirement that the person must have held the office of the president. Alexander Hamilton, for instance, appears on the $10 dollar bill, and Salmon P. Chase appeared on past high-denomination notes despite never serving as president.
Another frequent myth involves the age of older currency. Many believe that older series $100 bills lose their legal tender status when a new design is introduced. According to the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing, all U.S. currency issued since 1914 remains legal tender at its face value, regardless of how old the design looks or which security features it lacks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Benjamin Franklin the only non-president on paper money?
No. Alexander Hamilton appears on the $10 bill, and historical figures like Salmon P. Chase and Pocahontas have featured on various past U.S. denominations. However, Franklin is the only non-president on currently circulating everyday notes.
What building is featured on the back of the $100 bill?
Independence Hall in Philadelphia is featured on the back of the bill. The clock tower on the building is set to approximately 4:10, though historians debate the exact symbolic meaning behind this specific time setting.
Are old design $100 bills still valid for spending?
Yes. Every U.S. dollar printed by the federal government since 1914 retains its full face value and remains legal tender, even if it lacks modern security ribbons or color-shifting ink.
Why is the $100 bill the most targeted by counterfeiters?
Because it is widely accepted and circulated globally outside of the United States, criminals frequently target the $100 bill for high-value transactions. This high circulation volume drives the constant integration of advanced security ribbons and color-shifting elements.
