The face on the one hundred dollar bill is Benjamin Franklin, one of the most prominent Founding Fathers of the United States. Unlike most portraits on American paper money, Franklin never held the office of president, yet his likeness has anchored this denomination since 1914.
Beyond his familiar presence, the note carries a dense history of design overhauls, security shifts, and economic policy changes. Understanding why this specific statesman was chosen requires looking past common trivia into the mechanics of American currency production managed by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
The Legacy of Benjamin Franklin on Currency
Benjamin Franklin wore many hats during his life, including printer, scientist, inventor, diplomat, and philosopher. His inclusion on the hundred dollar note highlights intellect and statecraft rather than military command or executive leadership.
When the Federal Reserve system standardized banknote portraits in the early twentieth century, Treasury officials wanted a non-president who symbolized ingenuity. Franklin fit that criteria seamlessly. He wasn't a head of state, but his contributions to the American identity spanned decades of colonial growth and revolutionary diplomacy.
Previous Faces on the 100 Dollar Bill
Before Franklin became the permanent fixture on the obverse side, the hundred dollar denomination featured several different historical figures. Treasury notes shifted frequently during the nineteenth century as different series were introduced.
- Salmon P. Chase: Featured on nineteenth-century notes, Chase served as Treasury Secretary under Abraham Lincoln and played a massive role in establishing early national banking laws.
- Thomas Hart Benton: A long-serving U.S. Senator from Missouri who championed hard currency and metal coins over paper notes.
- David Farragut: The first full admiral in United States Navy history, whose portrait honored military unity and naval courage during reconstruction eras.
These early iterations illustrate how paper money served as a shifting canvas for political messages before the standardized Federal Reserve designs locked in twentieth-century traditions.
Evolution of Modern Security Features
Counterfeiting pressures forced massive redesigns of the hundred dollar bill over the last three decades. The 1996 series introduced larger portraits and fine-line background printing to deter early digital scanners.
The 2013 redesign brought high-tech updates that changed currency production globally. Key elements on modern notes include:
- Blue 3D Security Ribbon: Weaved into the paper rather than printed, featuring micro-images of bells and the number 100 that shift as you tilt the bill.
- Color-Shifting Inkwell: A copper-colored bell inside a green inkwell that transforms color when viewed from different angles.
- Watermark: A faint portrait of Benjamin Franklin visible from both sides when held up to a light source.
- Raised Printing: Intaglio printing processes that give the surface a distinct texture, especially noticeable along Franklin's shoulder.
Common Misconceptions About the 100 Dollar Note
Many casual observers misunderstand how paper currency operates and who qualifies for inclusion. Clearing up these myths helps frame the unique status of the note.
A widespread myth claims that any U.S. citizen can be placed on paper money if they reach a certain level of fame. In reality, federal law restricts portraits on circulating paper currency to deceased individuals, and the final selection rests with the Treasury Secretary. Another common confusion involves assuming all high-denomination notes feature presidents. In addition to Franklin, Alexander Hamilton on the ten-dollar bill remains a prime example of a Founding Father who never served as president yet secured a permanent spot on federal currency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Benjamin Franklin ever a U.S. President?
No. Benjamin Franklin never served as president of the United States. He held roles such as Pennsylvania's colonial agent, postmaster general, and president of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania, but the executive presidency did not exist in its modern form during his peak political years.
When did Franklin first appear on the 100 dollar bill?
Franklin's portrait first appeared on the large-sized Federal Reserve Note series in 1914. He has remained on the obverse side of every official hundred dollar redesign since that time.
What building is on the back of the 100 dollar bill?
The reverse side features Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This location commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the drafting of the U.S. Constitution, both events closely tied to Franklin's life work.
Are older 100 dollar bills still legal tender?
Yes. The United States government never demonetizes its currency. Older design series remain fully legal tender at their face value, though commercial banks often route older notes back to the Federal Reserve for retirement when they become worn out.
