Who Is On The 100 Dollar Bill? History, Design, And Security Features In 2026
Note: This article focuses exclusively on the United States one hundred dollar bill, featuring Benjamin Franklin, which remains the highest-value denomination currently in general circulation by the Federal Reserve as of 2026.
Currency design intersects history, advanced manufacturing, and global economics. For anyone holding a modern United States banknote, identifying the historical figure on the face is the first step toward understanding one of the most widely circulated and heavily counterfeited monetary instruments in the world. As currency standards evolve to meet modern authentication demands, examining the features of the current $100 bill provides essential insight into central banking and anti-counterfeiting technology.
Historical Identity: The Legacy of Benjamin Franklin
The face of the United States one hundred dollar bill features Benjamin Franklin, one of the most prominent Founding Fathers of the United States. Franklin’s inclusion on high-value paper currency dates back to the late 19th century, and his portrait has anchored the $100 denomination through multiple major design overhauls.
Unlike most other U.S. paper currency—which features U.S. Presidents—Franklin is honored as a statesman, printer, scientist, inventor, and diplomat. His diverse contributions to American independence and Enlightenment science make him uniquely suited for a denomination representing trade, innovation, and global liquidity.
Key Historical Milestones of the $100 Denomination
- 1861: The first $100 Demand Note is issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, featuring a portrait of General Winfield Scott.
- 1914: The Federal Reserve issues its first large-size $100 Federal Reserve Note, featuring a portrait of Benjamin Franklin.
- 1928: The size of U.S. currency is reduced to modern dimensions, maintaining Franklin on the obverse.
- 1996–2013: Modern security redesigns are introduced, culminating in the complex color-shifting and micro-optic features seen on the current Series 2009A and Series 2017A banknotes.
Anatomy of the Modern $100 Banknote: Design and Imagery
The current design of the $100 bill, introduced extensively into circulation following the rollout of the 2013 redesign series, incorporates intricate background artwork and symbolic imagery that reflects American heritage.
On the obverse (front) of the note, Benjamin Franklin's portrait dominates the right-center field. To his left, an inkwell containing a color-shifting bell symbolizes the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The background features subtle microprinting of phrases from the Declaration, along with traditional green and blue security motifs.
On the reverse (back) of the note, the focal point shifts to Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania—the building where both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were debated and adopted. Notably, the clock face on Independence Hall reads approximately 4:10, though historical debates persist regarding whether this represents a specific historical hour or a balanced aesthetic choice by Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) designers.
Printable 100 Dollar Bill Actual Size - Printable Calendars AT A GLANCE
Advanced Security and Anti-Counterfeiting Specifications
Because the U.S. $100 bill is heavily targeted by international and domestic counterfeiters, the Federal Reserve, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and the U.S. Secret Service mandate robust, multi-layered security engineering.
| Security Feature | Location on Banknote | Technical Description and Verification Method |
|---|---|---|
| Blue 3D Security Ribbon | Woven vertically into the paper | Features moving images of bells and the number 100 that shift when tilted back and forth. |
| Bell in the Inkwell | Lower right of the obverse | A copper-colored bell changes to green when tilted, creating an illusion of appearing and disappearing inside the inkwell. |
| Color-Shifting Number 100 | Lower right corner of the obverse | The large numeral 100 shifts from copper to green when the bill is tilted. |
| Watermark | Blank space to the right of Franklin's portrait | A faint, shadow-image portrait of Benjamin Franklin is visible from both sides when held up to a light source. |
| Security Thread | Embedded vertically to the left of the portrait | A thin, embedded plastic thread glows pink under ultraviolet (UV) light and spells "USA 100" with a small flag. |
| Raised Printing | Throughout the portrait and borders | The printing feels rough to the touch, resulting from the intaglio printing process used by the BEP. |
Comparison of U.S. High-Value Currency Denominations
To understand why the $100 bill occupies a unique position in global finance, it is helpful to compare it against other active U.S. paper denominations.
| Denomination | Portrait Subject | Reverse Imagery | Primary Use Case | Active Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1 | George Washington | Great Seal of the United States | Daily retail transactions, vending | Active |
| $5 | Abraham Lincoln | Lincoln Memorial | Small-scale cash purchases | Active |
| $10 | Alexander Hamilton | U.S. Treasury Building | General retail transactions | Active |
| $20 | Andrew Jackson | White House | ATM withdrawals, retail spending | Active |
| $50 | Ulysses S. Grant | U.S. Capitol Building | Mid-tier cash transactions, banking | Active |
| $100 | Benjamin Franklin | Independence Hall | International reserves, high-value commerce, domestic cash hoarding | Active |
| $500+ | Various historical figures | Ornate numbering/vignettes | Large-scale interbank transfers (discontinued) | Discontinued (Valid Legal Tender) |
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Authenticate a $100 Bill
Cash handlers, retail workers, and financial institution personnel must be capable of verifying high-value currency quickly. Relying on a systematic inspection prevents the acceptance of counterfeit notes.
Visual and Tactile Verification Protocol
Step 1: Check the Paper Texture Genuine U.S. currency is printed on a specialized blend of 75 percent cotton and 25 percent linen. It should feel distinctively fibrous and durable, not smooth like standard wood-pulp copy paper.
Step 2: Inspect the Raised Intaglio Printing Run a fingernail across Benjamin Franklin’s shoulder and the large numerals. Genuine engraving creates raised ridges that catch the nail, a tactile quality difficult for inkjet or laser printers to replicate.
Step 3: Test the 3D Security Ribbon and Bell Tilt the bill back and forth. The bells on the blue ribbon should shift to 100s, and the bell inside the copper inkwell should change color completely from copper to green.
Step 4: Verify the Watermark and Thread Hold the bill up to a natural light source. Look for the portrait watermark of Benjamin Franklin on the right side and confirm the embedded security thread glows pink under UV light.
Pros and Cons of Maintaining High-Denomination Currency
The $100 bill facilitates efficient high-volume cash transactions domestically and internationally, but its concentration of purchasing power also presents policy challenges for law enforcement and central banks.
Advantages
- Global Liquidity: Serves as a reliable secondary currency and store of value in developing economies with unstable domestic inflation.
- Storage Efficiency: Requires significantly less physical volume and weight than $20 or $50 bills for equivalent cash values.
- Advanced Technology: Modern security features make unauthorized duplication economically unviable for casual counterfeiters.
Disadvantages
- Illicit Finance Risk: Because of its high purchasing power-to-weight ratio, large quantities are frequently utilized in cash-based underground economies, money laundering, and tax evasion.
- Detection Burden: Retailers and cashiers must undergo continuous training to spot sophisticated counterfeits, as older series notes remain legal tender indefinitely.
- Digital Displacement: As global economies transition toward instant digital payments, peer-to-peer apps, and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), physical cash usage for high-value purchases is gradually declining.
Frequently Asked Questions About the $100 Bill
Who is on the front of the 100 dollar bill?
Benjamin Franklin, a Founding Father, scientist, and inventor, is featured on the front of the current United States $100 bill. His portrait has represented the denomination for over a century.
What building is on the back of the 100 dollar bill?
Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is depicted on the reverse side of the $100 bill. This is the location where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were signed.
Are older series $100 bills still legal tender?
Yes. All U.S. currency issued since 1861 remains valid legal tender at its face value, regardless of its age or design series. Federal Reserve notes are never demonetized.
How can I tell if a $100 bill is fake without a detector pen?
Check for the 3D blue security ribbon that shifts when tilted, the color-shifting inkwell bell, raised intaglio printing on Franklin's shoulders, and a clear watermark visible when held to the light.
Why does the $100 bill feature Benjamin Franklin instead of a U.S. President?
Franklin is one of the few non-presidents honored on U.S. paper currency. Treasury guidelines selected him to honor his vast contributions to American statehood, diplomacy, and science.
What should I do if I suspect I have received a counterfeit $100 bill?
Do not pass the note back into circulation, as doing so is illegal. Note the physical description of the person who provided it, contact local law enforcement or your financial institution, and report the incident to the U.S. Secret Service.
