Who Is On The Hundred Dollar Bill? History, Security Features, And Verification Guide For 2026

The face on the United States hundred-dollar bill is Benjamin Franklin. Unlike most other denominations of U.S. paper currency, which feature former United States presidents, the highest-denomination note currently in public circulation honors one of America’s most influential Founding Fathers, scientists, diplomats, and writers.

Benjamin Franklin has been the prominent face of the $100 bill since 1914, when the Federal Reserve first issued this denomination. His presence on the nation's premier banknote is highly fitting, given his monumental contributions to the founding of the United States and his early, pioneering work in the history of American paper currency printing.

In 2026, the $100 bill remains the most widely circulated and highly counterfeited denomination worldwide. Understanding the legacy of this historical figure, the design choices of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP), and the advanced security features embedded in the current note is essential for businesses, cash handlers, and consumers.

The Legacy of Benjamin Franklin on the Federal Reserve Note

Benjamin Franklin’s appearance on the $100 bill is a deliberate recognition of his diverse contributions to American history. While he never served as President of the United States, his status as a statesman, diplomat, scientist, and philosopher cements him as an quintessential representation of American ingenuity and fiscal pragmatism.

Why a Non-President Was Chosen for the Highest Circulating Note

The decision to place Franklin on the $100 bill stems from his unparalleled influence on the early economic and political infrastructure of the nation.

• The Original Printer of Paper Money: Long before the United States established a centralized treasury, Franklin was an active printer of paper currency. In the 1730s, his printing firm produced paper money for the colonies of Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey. He viewed paper currency as a vital tool to stimulate local trade and prevent economic stagnation caused by a shortage of silver and gold coins.
• Anti-Counterfeiting Pioneer: Franklin was one of the earliest innovators in currency security. To deter counterfeiters, he invented a process called "nature printing," which used unique, transfer-printed leaf patterns on colonial bills. The complex vein structures of the leaves were virtually impossible for contemporary counterfeiters to replicate by hand engraving.
• International Diplomat and Economic Strategist: Franklin's diplomatic missions, particularly in securing French support during the American Revolutionary War, provided the vital financial backing that allowed the young nation to survive. His economic essays championed the virtues of industry, thrift, and sensible credit systems.

Technical Anatomy of the US Hundred-Dollar Bill

To understand the modern $100 bill circulating in 2026, one must analyze its material composition and design evolution. The U.S. Department of the Treasury, alongside the Federal Reserve and the Secret Service, periodically updates the banknote's design to stay ahead of international counterfeiting networks.

The current $100 note design belongs to the "3D Security Ribbon" generation, which was officially released into circulation in late 2013. In 2026, these notes, along with slightly older variations, form the backbone of physical high-value transactions globally.

Evolution of the $100 Bill Design

The design of the hundred-dollar bill has undergone three major eras over the last several decades, each characterized by a shifting focus on security technology and portrait aesthetics.

How to Authenticate a $100 Bill: A Step-by-Step Security Guide

With the $100 bill being a primary target for sophisticated counterfeiting groups, verifying the authenticity of the note is a critical operational standard for financial institutions and retail businesses.

Follow this definitive, step-by-step physical inspection process to confirm the legitimacy of any modern $100 bill in 2026.

Step 1: Feel the Texture (Intaglio Printing)

Run your finger across Benjamin Franklin’s shoulder on the left side of the note. Genuine U.S. currency is printed using a heavy-pressure engraving process known as intaglio printing. This process leaves a distinct, raised texture on the ink. If the paper feels completely flat, smooth, or waxy, the note is likely a counterfeit printed on a standard digital press.

Step 2: Inspect the 3D Security Ribbon

Look closely at the vertical blue ribbon woven into the center-right portion of the paper. Note that this ribbon is woven directly through the paper fibers, rather than being printed on top of the surface.

• Tilt the bill back and forth while watching the ribbon.
• You will see images of small bells and the numeral "100" moving dynamically.
• When you tilt the note side-to-side, the images move up and down. When you tilt the note up and down, the images move side-to-side.

Step 3: Check the Bell in the Inkwell

Locate the copper-colored inkwell situated to the right of Franklin’s portrait. Inside the inkwell is a historical Liberty Bell.

• Tilt the bill to observe the color transformation of the bell.
• The bell changes color from copper to a vibrant green as the angle shifts.
• This visual effect makes the bell appear to magically appear and disappear inside the inkwell.

Step 4: Examine the Color-Shifting Numeral "100"

In the bottom right-hand corner on the front of the bill, examine the large numeral "100". Like the bell in the inkwell, this numeral uses Optically Variable Ink (OVI). When tilted, the color shifts clearly from a metallic copper to a solid forest green.

Step 5: Verify the Watermark and Security Thread Under Light

Hold the bill up to a clear light source to verify two embedded internal features:

• The Portrait Watermark: A faint, hidden image of Benjamin Franklin is embedded in the blank space to the right of the main portrait. This watermark is visible from both the front and the back of the bill because it is formed by varying the thickness of the paper pulp during manufacturing.
• The Security Thread: Look to the left of the main portrait. You should see a thin, vertical polymer strip embedded within the paper. It is printed with the letters "USA" and the numeral "100" in an alternating pattern. When exposed to an ultraviolet (UV) blacklight, this thread glows a bright, distinct pink.

Understanding Intaglio Printing Depth The unique tactile feedback of a genuine $100 bill is the result of thousands of pounds of pressure pushing the cotton-linen paper into engraved metal plates. This process embeds the ink deep into the fibers, creating a distinct raised ridge. Sophisticated counterfeiters struggle to replicate this depth without expensive, heavy industrial machinery, making the "scratch test" on Franklin's shoulder one of the fastest and most reliable manual verification steps.

Design Evolutions and Future Security Outlook

As we navigate through 2026, the Federal Reserve and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, operating under the Advanced Counterfeit Deterrence (ACD) Committee, continue to research next-generation security substrates.

While the 2013-present design remains highly secure, the Treasury Department maintains a structured schedule for future currency redesigns. The primary catalyst for these ongoing updates is the rise of high-resolution digital scanners, commercial-grade chemical washes, and advanced offset printing capabilities used by illicit actors.

The Role of Crane & Co. Paper

Every physical dollar bill printed in 2026 relies on a highly specialized paper substrate manufactured exclusively by Crane & Co. This paper does not use wood pulp. Instead, it is composed of 75% cotton and 25% linen. This unique material formulation is what gives American currency its distinct crispness, its structural durability when wet, and its unique reaction under chemical testing pens. Counterfeits printed on wood-based paper will immediately turn dark brown or black when marked with a standard iodine-based counterfeit detector pen, whereas genuine cotton-linen paper remains unaffected.

Frequently Asked Questions About the US Hundred-Dollar Bill

Why is Benjamin Franklin on the $100 bill instead of a U.S. president?

Benjamin Franklin is on the $100 bill because of his monumental role as a Founding Father, his mastery of early American printing, and his contributions to the country's early economic philosophy. The Treasury Department historically selects individuals of significant historical importance for currency, and being a president has never been a mandatory requirement.

Are older designs of the $100 bill still legal tender in 2026?

Yes, all denominations of U.S. currency remain legal tender, regardless of when they were printed. However, financial institutions in 2026 actively withdraw heavily worn, older-generation $100 bills (such as the pre-1996 small-portrait series) from circulation to ensure that only notes with the modern, highly secure 3D ribbon remain in active use.

What does the security thread on the $100 bill look like under UV light?

Under an ultraviolet (UV) light source, the polymer security thread embedded vertically on the left side of the $100 bill glows a bright, unmistakable pink. This serves as a rapid verification method for high-volume cash handlers, such as bank tellers and retail managers.

Is there a $500 or $1,000 bill featuring Franklin or other figures?

While the $100 bill is currently the highest denomination printed for public use, the United States previously issued larger bills, including the $500 bill (featuring William McKinley) and the $1,000 bill (featuring Alexander Hamilton). The Federal Reserve officially discontinued printing these high-denomination notes in 1945 and systematically withdrew them from active circulation in 1969 due to low daily usage and concerns over illicit transactions.

Securing Your Cash Transactions

Managing physical cash securely requires robust authentication procedures. Knowing that Benjamin Franklin is on the $100 bill is only the first step; cash handlers must be systematically trained to recognize the distinct textures, color-shifting dynamics, and embedded security features of the bill. By incorporating UV scanners, training personnel on the "feel" of intaglio printing, and understanding the core design elements of the note, businesses can protect their bottom line from counterfeit losses in 2026 and beyond.