You’re standing at a cash register, holding a crisp blue-and-gold slip of paper that feels more like fabric than wood pulp. It’s the $100 bill. Most of us just call it a "Benjamin." But if you actually stop to look at the 100 bill front and back, you realize it’s less like currency and more like a high-tech masterpiece of engineering. It has to be. When you’re the most frequently circulated—and most frequently faked—note in the global economy, you can’t just be a pretty piece of paper.
Honestly, the "new" design isn't even that new anymore. It’s been around since 2013, yet people still get tripped up by the 3D ribbon or the way the ink seems to vanish. It’s weirdly complex.
The Face of the Franchise: Breaking Down the Front
Benjamin Franklin is staring at you. He’s been the face of the hundred since 1914, mostly because he was never a president, but his fingerprints are all over the American financial system. He founded the first successful lending library and helped push for a national currency. On the current 100 bill front and back, Ben looks a bit different than he did in the 90s. His portrait is larger. There’s no oval border around him anymore. He’s just... there. Floating against a background of faint yellow "100" symbols and some very sophisticated microprinting.
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If you look closely at his coat, you'll see the words "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" printed along the lapel. It’s tiny. Like, "need a magnifying glass" tiny.
That Blue Ribbon Isn't Just for Show
The most striking thing about the front is that vertical blue stripe. It’s not printed on the paper. It’s actually woven through the paper fibers. It’s called the 3D Security Ribbon.
Try this: tilt the bill back and forth while focusing on the ribbon. You’ll see little bells and "100" digits moving. But here’s the kicker—when you tilt the bill vertically, the bells and numbers move horizontally. When you tilt it horizontally, they move vertically. It’s a massive headache for counterfeiters because it requires a multi-lens system built into the paper itself. Crane Currency, the company that has supplied paper to the U.S. Treasury since 1879, spent years perfecting this.
The Bell in the Inkwell
Next to Ben’s shoulder, there’s a copper-colored inkwell. Inside that inkwell is a green bell. When you shift the angle of the 100 bill front and back, that bell changes color from copper to green. This makes it look like the bell is appearing and disappearing inside the inkwell. It’s a "color-shifting ink" trick that uses specialized pigments that reflect light differently depending on the perspective.
Turning It Over: The Secrets of the Back
Flip the note over. The back of the $100 bill features Independence Hall in Philadelphia. But look at the clock tower. Specifically, look at the time.
For a long time, there was a rumor that the clock was set to 4:10 because of some Masonic secret or a hidden code. Actually, on the older 1996 series, the hands were at 4:10. On the newest redesign, the time is 10:30. Why? There’s no official "Da Vinci Code" reason given by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP). It’s likely just a design choice to differentiate the series.
The back also features a massive gold "100" in the bottom right corner. This isn't just for people with poor eyesight. It’s a high-contrast mark designed to help people with visual impairments identify the denomination quickly.
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The Composition Matters
If you’ve ever accidentally washed a hundred-dollar bill, you know it doesn't fall apart like a receipt. That’s because it isn't paper. It’s a blend of 75% cotton and 25% linen. There are also tiny red and blue synthetic fibers scattered throughout the material. If you see a bill where those fibers look like they’re just printed on top of the surface rather than embedded in it, you’re looking at a fake.
Why the $100 Bill Front and Back Keeps Changing
The U.S. government doesn't redesign money for fun. It’s expensive. It’s a logistical nightmare. They do it because of North Korea, digital scanners, and high-end inkjet printers.
In the late 80s and early 90s, "Supernotes" began appearing. These were near-perfect counterfeits, likely produced on state-level printing presses. They were so good that even some bank scanners couldn't catch them. This forced the Treasury to get aggressive. The current 100 bill front and back design is essentially a fortress.
How to Authenticate in 5 Seconds
You don't need a UV light or a special pen to know if a Benji is real. Just use your hands and eyes.
- Feel the Texture: Run your fingernail across Benjamin Franklin’s shoulder. It should feel rough. This is "intaglio" printing, where the ink is layered thick enough to create a physical ridge.
- The Watermark: Hold the bill up to a light. You should see a faint image of Benjamin Franklin in the blank space to the right of the portrait. It’s visible from both sides.
- The Security Thread: Look for a thin vertical thread embedded in the paper to the left of the portrait. It says "USA 100." If you hit it with a UV light, it glows bright pink.
Common Misconceptions About the C-Note
People think the "counterfeit pen" is the gold standard. It’s not. Those pens just react to starch. If a counterfeiter prints a fake bill on standard 20lb bond paper, the pen turns black. But if they "bleach" a $1 bill (removing the ink and printing a $100 over it), the pen will show it’s "real" because the paper is technically authentic currency paper.
This is why you have to look at the 100 bill front and back for the specific security features like the watermark. If you hold up a "bleached" $100, the watermark will still be George Washington, not Ben Franklin. Dead giveaway.
Another weird fact? The $100 bill is actually the most common banknote in circulation. As of the last few years, there are more $100 bills than $1 bills. A huge chunk of these—estimates say over 60%—live outside the United States. It’s the world’s preferred "under the mattress" currency for people in unstable economies.
Protecting Your Cash
If you handle a lot of cash, especially in a business setting, don't rely on just one feature. The 3D ribbon is the hardest to faked, so check that first. Then feel for the raised printing. If it feels smooth like a magazine page, give it back.
Basically, the 100 bill front and back is a tech product. It’s designed to be impossible to replicate perfectly without millions of dollars in industrial equipment. By knowing where the bell is supposed to be and how the ribbon moves, you’re essentially running your own mini-security audit every time you get paid.
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Quick Verification Checklist
- Tilt the bill: Does the 3D blue ribbon move?
- Tilt again: Does the copper bell turn green?
- Light test: Is there a Ben Franklin watermark on the right?
- Touch test: Is Ben’s coat rough to the touch?
If you ever find yourself with a bill that feels "off," the U.S. Secret Service actually advises you not to return it to the passer. You’re supposed to delay them if possible and contact local police. Realistically, most people just hand it back and say "I can't take this," but if you want to be a hero, follow the Treasury guidelines. Just remember that once a bank confirms a bill is counterfeit, they confiscate it, and you’re out the $100. There’s no reimbursement for being a victim of a fake.