The $100 Dollar Bill

Who is on the 100 dollar bill?

Benjamin Franklin, America's renaissance man and founding father, has graced the $100 bill since 1914. As of 2026, Franklin remains the face of America's highest denomination in regular circulation, paired with Philadelphia's Independence Hall on the reverse.

Franklin earned this honor through his multifaceted contributions: diplomat who secured crucial French support during the Revolution, inventor of the lightning rod and bifocals, founder of America's first public library, and publisher of Poor Richard's Almanack. He's one of only two non-presidents on modern US currency.

Evolution of the $100 Bill Through 2026

The $100 bill's journey spans over 160 years of American monetary history. First issued in 1862 during the Civil War, early "Legal Tender Notes" featured elaborate engravings and were significantly larger than today's currency—measuring 7.4 × 3.1 inches until 1928.

The modern small-size format debuted in 1929, standardizing all denominations at today's 6.14 × 2.61 inches. The current design, introduced in October 2013 after years of development, remains the most technologically advanced US banknote as of 2026, incorporating features that took over a decade to perfect.

Design details: Franklin and Independence Hall

Franklin's portrait is engraved with fine-line detail that is difficult to reproduce, while the seals and serial numbers provide visual confirmation of authenticity. Modern series also include subtle background patterns and color accents to improve recognition.

Independence Hall on the reverse connects the note to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. On the front, the inkwell with the Liberty Bell adds an extra layer of symbolism and a focal point for one of the bill's key security features.

2026 Security Features of the $100 Bill

The $100 bill remains America's most secure banknote in 2026, featuring multiple layers of authentication technology that have proven highly effective against counterfeiting attempts. The current design has been in circulation for over 12 years with remarkable success.

• 3D Security Ribbon: The blue ribbon woven into (not printed on) the paper contains images of bells and 100s that move and change from one to the other as you tilt the bill
• Bell in the Inkwell: The copper inkwell contains a color-shifting bell that changes from copper to green when tilted—a bell appears and disappears within the inkwell
• Franklin Watermark: Hold the bill to light to see a faint image of Benjamin Franklin to the right of the portrait
• Security Thread: An embedded vertical strip reads "USA 100" and glows pink under ultraviolet light
• Color-Shifting 100: The numeral 100 in the lower right corner shifts from copper to green when tilted
• Raised Printing: Move your finger across Franklin's shoulder—you should feel the distinctive texture of raised printing
• Microprinting: Look closely to find "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" on Franklin's collar and "USA 100" around the blank space containing the watermark
• Gold 100: A large gold numeral 100 on the back helps those with visual impairments distinguish the denomination

Authentication tip for 2026: The most reliable quick check combines three features—tilt the bill to see the color changes, hold it to light for the watermark, and feel for raised printing. Counterfeiters struggle to replicate all three accurately.

Global Circulation in 2026

As of 2026, approximately 18.5 billion $100 bills circulate worldwide, with about 70% held outside the United States. This makes the $100 bill America's primary international currency ambassador, trusted from Buenos Aires to Bangkok as a stable store of value.

The Federal Reserve reports that demand for $100 bills continues growing by 6-8% annually, driven by international users who prefer US currency for savings and large transactions. Many businesses worldwide accept $100 bills, though they may inspect them carefully due to their high value. Knowing the security features helps ensure smooth transactions both domestically and abroad.

Older series and redesigns

It is normal to see multiple designs of the 100 dollar bill in circulation. Older series without the blue security ribbon are still valid, and all genuine Federal Reserve Notes remain legal tender regardless of design changes.

If you handle an older $100, use the series year on the face to understand which security features to expect. Banks can exchange older notes for newer ones, but most people simply spend them as usual.

When in doubt, compare an older bill with a known authentic note. The paper texture, sharpness of engraved lines, and placement of the watermark and thread should feel consistent for genuine currency.

2026 Collector Values and Market Trends

While most circulated $100 bills trade at face value, certain varieties command premiums in the 2026 collector market. Star notes (serial numbers ending with a star) from low-print runs can fetch $150-$300. Bills with serial numbers below 100 or featuring patterns like 12345678 may bring $500-$2,000 to the right buyer.

Pre-2013 series without the blue ribbon remain popular with collectors, especially crisp uncirculated examples. Large-size $100 notes (pre-1929) have seen significant appreciation, with common dates in fine condition selling for $500-$1,500, while rare varieties can exceed $10,000. The 2026 market shows strong demand for error notes, including misaligned printing, ink smears, and missing serial numbers.

Why Benjamin Franklin is on the $100 bill

Benjamin Franklin played a central role in early American history as a diplomat, inventor, printer, and public thinker. He helped secure key alliances during the founding era and shaped the country's approach to education, science, and civic life.

Franklin also operated one of the most influential printing businesses in colonial America, producing newspapers and government documents, and he supported early efforts to standardize paper money. As a result, he is one of the few non-presidents on modern US currency, alongside Alexander Hamilton on the $10 bill.

Care and handling

Because the $100 bill carries higher face value, careful handling matters. Store collectible notes in archival sleeves, keep them dry and flat, and avoid folding or cleaning. Cleaning can permanently damage the paper and reduce collector interest.

Fun facts about the $100 bill

The $100 bill is often nicknamed a "C-note" and is the highest denomination in common circulation today. Its modern design is intentionally bold to make it harder to counterfeit and easier to identify at a glance.

• The blue 3D ribbon is woven into the paper, not printed on top.
• Independence Hall links the note to the founding era of the US.
• The $100 is a popular denomination for travel and savings worldwide.

100 dollar bill FAQ

Who is on the 100 dollar bill?

Benjamin Franklin appears on the obverse of the $100 bill.

What is new about the new 100 dollar bill?

The new 100 dollar bill adds a blue 3D security ribbon and a color-shifting bell in the inkwell, along with updated microprinting and other anti-counterfeit features.

How do I check if a 100 dollar bill is real?

Look for the watermark, the embedded security thread, the color-shifting ink, and the raised printing. Tilt the note to see the ribbon and bell change as you move it.