You’ve probably held one today. Maybe you stuffed it into a birthday card or watched it slide out of an ATM. But honestly, have you really looked at the current 100 dollar bill lately? Most people still call it the "new" bill, even though this specific design has been circulating since 2013. It’s kinda funny how we stick with that label, but there’s a reason for it. The note looks like something out of a high-tech lab compared to the old, small-head Benjamins your grandparents used to hide under the mattress.
This isn’t just paper. Actually, it isn't paper at all—it's a high-performance fabric blend of 75% cotton and 25% linen. That’s why it doesn’t turn into mush when you accidentally leave it in your jeans through a heavy-duty wash cycle. But beyond the durability, the "new" 100 dollar bill is essentially a piece of software you can hold in your hand. It’s packed with more tech than a first-generation iPhone, and if you don't know what to look for, you're basically leaving yourself wide open to getting scammed with a high-quality fake.
The Blue Ribbon That Isn't Just for Show
If you look at the center of the note, there’s that thick, blue 3D Security Ribbon. This is the big one. This is the feature that drove the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) absolutely crazy during production. They actually had to delay the launch of the bill for over two years because the paper was creasing during the printing process.
The ribbon isn't printed on the surface. It’s woven through the fibers. If you tilt the bill back and forth, you’ll see tiny bells that transform into the number 100. If you move it side to side, they move up and down. If you move it up and down, they move side to side. It’s a literal optical illusion created by nearly a million micro-lenses. It’s nearly impossible for a standard printer to replicate this because it requires depth, not just ink.
Why Benjamin Franklin Looks a Little Different
Old Ben has been the face of the hundred since 1914. But in the current version, he’s escaped his oval frame. He’s bigger. He’s off-center. There’s more detail in his shoulder than in most sketches.
Why the shift? It’s not just an aesthetic choice. Moving the portrait to the left makes it harder for counterfeiters to "bleach" lower-denomination bills and print a 100 over them. It also leaves space for the watermark. If you hold the bill up to a light, you’ll see a faint, ghostly Ben Franklin in the blank space on the right. If that watermark isn't there, or if it looks like it was drawn on with a marker by a toddler, it's fake. Plain and simple.
The Copper Bell and the Inkwell Trick
Right next to Franklin’s portrait sits a copper-colored inkwell. Inside that inkwell is a Liberty Bell. If you tilt the note, that bell changes from copper to green. This is called color-shifting ink.
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How the Ink Actually Works
The ink contains tiny metallic flakes that reflect light differently depending on the angle. Think of it like a high-end pearlescent paint job on a sports car. Most counterfeiters use "shifting" glitter or shiny stickers to try and mimic this, but they can't get the "disappearing" act right. When the bell matches the color of the inkwell, it seems to vanish. It’s a smooth, liquid-like transition. If the color change feels "chunky" or doesn't happen at all, someone is trying to pull one over on you.
The Microprinting Most People Miss
You probably need a magnifying glass for this part. Or really good eyes.
- Look at the collar of Franklin’s jacket: You’ll see "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" in tiny letters.
- Check the blank space where the watermark is: "USA 100" is hidden in the borders.
- Look at the golden quill: There’s "ONE HUNDRED USA" along the line.
Counterfeiters usually fail here because their printers aren't precise enough. The letters come out as a blurry, solid line. On a real 100 dollar bill, every letter is crisp. It’s sharp. It’s intentional.
What’s Coming in 2034?
While the current note is the king of the wallet for now, it won't stay that way forever. The U.S. Treasury has a schedule. They aren't just sitting around. According to current projections from the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, the next major redesign of the 100 dollar bill isn't expected until 2034.
We’re going to see new $10 bills in 2026 (the "Catalyst" series), followed by the $50 in 2028, and the $20 in 2030. The hundred is the last to change because its current security features are still holding up remarkably well against modern threats. When 2034 rolls around, expect even more "active" security—perhaps things that react to your phone's camera or even more complex holographic elements.
How to Check a Bill in 3 Seconds
You don't need a UV light or a special pen to know if a 100 is real. Honestly, those "counterfeit pens" are kinda garbage anyway; they just test for starch in the paper, which some fakes can bypass by using the right treatment.
- Feel it. Run your fingernail across Ben’s shoulder. It should feel "ridged" or rough. That’s the intaglio printing. It’s unique to the BEP.
- Tilt it. Watch the blue ribbon. Do the bells move? Look at the 100 in the bottom right corner. Does it turn from copper to green?
- Light it. Hold it up. Is there a watermark? Is there a thin security thread on the left that says "USA 100"?
If a bill passes those three tests, it’s almost certainly the real deal. If you find one that feels "waxy" or looks "flat," it’s time to call the bank.
The 100 dollar bill is the most circulated U.S. note outside of the country. It’s a global symbol of trust. Keeping it that way requires this constant "arms race" between the government and the people trying to copy their homework. For now, the 2013-style note is the gold standard.
Next Steps for Handling Currency
- Audit your cash: Take a moment to look at the $100s currently in your possession and verify the 3D ribbon and the "Bell in the Inkwell" to familiarize yourself with the tactile feel of genuine intaglio printing.
- Update your equipment: If you run a business, ensure your bill counters or UV scanners are calibrated for the Series 2009 and 2009A (and later) designs, as older machines sometimes struggle with the density of the 3D ribbon.
- Monitor Treasury announcements: Keep an eye on the U.S. Currency Education Program (uscurrency.gov) for the official unveiling of the 2026 $10 redesign, which will give us a preview of the security technology likely to appear on the 2034 $100 bill.