Decoding Dollars: The $100
A Brochure on $100 Note Security Features
The $100 note is the largest denomination of U.S. currency currently issued by the Federal Reserve Board. Understanding how to use the security features in the note will help you avoid accepting a counterfeit.
Decoding the $100: Feel, Tilt, Check
- It only takes a few simple steps to check the security features and know the note you are handling is genuine U.S. currency.
- To check the security features in the $100 note, feel the paper, tilt the note, and check with light.
Feel The Paper
- Move your finger across the note. It should feel slightly rough to the touch because of the raised printing and the unique composition of the paper, which is a blend of 75 percent cotton and 25 percent linen.
The $100 note has five key security features:
Tilt The Note
Color Shifting Numeral
Tilt the note to see the 100 in the lower right corner change color from copper to green.
Bell In The Inkwell
Tilt the note to see the Bell in the Inkwell change color from copper to green.
3-D Security Ribbon
The 3-D Security Ribbon is blue and has images of bells and 100s. When you tilt the note back and forth, the bells and 100s move from side to side. When you tilt the note from side to side, the bells and 100s move up and down. The 3-D Security Ribbon is woven into the paper, not printed on it.
Check With Light
Security Thread
Hold the note to light to see the security thread that reads USA 100 to the left of Benjamin Franklin's portrait. The thread is visible from the front and back of the note and glows pink under ultraviolet light.
Watermark
Hold the note to light to see a faint image of Benjamin Franklin to the right of the portrait. The watermark is visible from the front and back of the note.
Counterfeit Reporting
Do you know what to do with suspected counterfeits?
Become familiar with your organization’s counterfeit-reporting procedures and learn what to do if you suspect you have a counterfeit note. This may include contacting local law enforcement or the local field office of the United States Secret Service.