A few years ago, new $100 bills came into circulation. However, not everyone still knows what the differences and advantages of these banknotes are in comparison with their predecessors.
Before the appearance of these bills, many rumors arose. For example, they said that the new type of money would not have the familiar portrait of Benjamin Franklin on it.
Others argued that the dollar would soon be replaced by a new currency, the Amero. As we have seen, these assumptions turned out to be unfounded, but we can observe certain changes in the security and design of the new 100 dollar bill.
The new $100 bills are the latest in a series of revamped dollars that began in 2003 with the $20 bill. It took more than 10 years to create the design of the new bill, and in October 2013 the new 100 dollars were released into circulation.
With the naked eye you can see that the color of the money has changed: now it is blue as opposed to the green we are used to. It is also worth noting that the main distinctive element of 100 dollars has changed: the portrait of President Franklin lost its decorative frame and became larger, now occupying about a third of the entire canvas. Such detail is needed to enhance security: given that this banknote is one of the most common throughout the world, it is of particular interest to counterfeiters.
On the right side of the new one hundred dollars are the national symbols of the United States: a quote from the Declaration of Independence of the United States, an inkwell and a quill.
| Method of protection | Location of the security sign |
| 3D Security Tape | Placed in the middle of the bill |
| Bell | The new sign is located on the inkwell on the right side of the bill |
| Watermark | Translucent in the pattern-free area of the banknote's circulation |
| Security thread | A thin shiny thread randomly located across the entire surface of the bill |
| Optical variable paint | Special paint changes color depending on image magnification |
| Relief | The banknote has a number of relief elements (clothing in the portrait) |
| Microfont | The inscriptions are visible in certain places on the banknote only with a strong magnification of the image |
| Element for visually impaired people | Large denomination print on the outer back of the banknote |
What does the back of the banknote look like? It depicts Independence Hall, as on the predecessor bill, however, the new bill adorns the northern façade of the building, not the southern one.
Anti-counterfeit protection
The new one hundred dollars have all the security features of other dollars. However, their security system has some improvements. One of the innovations is a ribbon woven into the bill, called three-dimensional due to the presence of special lenses in it that cause a volume effect. The blue background of the ribbon contains the numbers 100 and bells - a distinctive sign of the new design.
The inkwell next to Franklin's portrait has its own distinctive protective element: a bell is applied to it using special paint. If you take the new money in your hands and slowly turn it, you will notice how the bell either merges with the copper inkwell or plays green against its background. The number 100 in the lower corner has the same iridescence of color on a genuine banknote.
What does a traditional watermark look like? On new dollars, it is located on the edge of the bill in a specially fenced off white space. If you look through the banknote, you can see a portrait of President Franklin. Also, when exposed to light and ultraviolet rays, you can see a special protective tape with the inscriptions USA and 100. You should look for it to the left of the image of Franklin.
You can now feel the fake by touch: the new $100 bills are embossed, and even Franklin’s portrait, or rather his shoulder, is rough.
If you pick up a magnifying glass or microscope, you will be able to see the small inscription “one hundred usa” near the pen, and “United States of America” on the suit of the American president.
Another element that distinguishes the new dollars is the large golden image of the number 100 on the back of the bill. This protective sign was created to help people with vision problems.
How to spot a fake
To identify a counterfeit banknote, you must first examine it carefully. It should have a blue color, watermarks in a light oval, and a large number 100 printed on the reverse side. Then you should turn the bill under the light source. If it is real, then the number 100 at the bottom of the canvas and the bell in the inkwell will sparkle in different colors.
It is also worth looking at the three-dimensional security tape: the numbers 100 should be replaced by bells when turning the bill, and vice versa. Feel the money. The new $100 should be embossed.
Remember that if you have any doubts about the authenticity of a banknote, the best solution is to take it to the bank for verification. Modern tools will make it easy, quick and without compromising your budget to verify whether a banknote is real or not.
A little history of the dollar: At the beginning of the 16th century, a silver mine began operating in the mountains of northwestern Bohemia. In the valley next to the mine, the city of St. Joachimsthal was founded (after the name of the valley, thal - in German "valley"). Beginning in 1519, silver coins with the image of St. Joachim for the Roman Empire began to be minted here. The coin was called "Joachimsthaler". Over time, it began to be called a thaler. Thaler became widely used in Europe. In Sweden, "dalers" have been minted since 1534, in Denmark - since 1544. In England it was called the daller, then the dallar and finally the dollar. During the time of Spanish dominance at sea, one of the hardest currencies in the world were the Spanish silver reals and gold doubloons. They were also called dollars (in Portugal - dalars). The Bank of England held such a huge quantity of them, captured as war booty or received as payment of debts, that the English king George III ordered the use of Spanish reals in circulation. Each real was worth 1/8 of an English pound; it was called a piece of eight (one eighth, eighth), which over time turned into “peso”. Pesos found their way to the North American colonies, where, like other large silver coins, they also became known as dollars. The appearance of the famous $ sign is also associated with them. The long English piece of eight on paper turned into a crossed out eight, which eventually became $. The basic design for most dollar bills was established in 1928. On the front side of the dollars are portraits of... no, no, not only presidents, but also other US statesmen. In addition to the presidents, two bills depict portraits of the founding fathers: the first Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton, on ten dollars, and the scientist, publicist, and diplomat Benjamin Franklin, on a hundred:
The reason why the dollar turned green is curious. In 1869, the US Department of the Treasury signed a contract with the Philadelphia company Messers J. M. & Cox for the production of currency paper with special watermarks in the form of barely noticeable vertical stripes 5-8 cm wide. Around the same years, the Treasury first began printing dollars with using green paint. The reason for the innovation is the appearance of photography: old-style banknotes, made with black paint, where green was applied only along the edges, became very easy to reproduce photographically. Since green dye was already used in production, it began to be used in large volumes, and the selection and purchase of new ones turned out to be unnecessary. In recent years, dollar bills have once again acquired new colors - shades of yellow and pink.
People who frequently deal with foreign currencies should know how to check the authenticity of dollars. The reason for this is that counterfeit money can be found in the most unexpected places.
A particular risk arises when making large transactions when paying in cash in foreign currency.
The most popular foreign banknote is one hundred US dollars, so we will focus on this money.
$100 Authentication
So how can you check the authenticity of $100?
There are currently two types of this banknote in circulation - old and new.
The first thing to do is consider who is on the $100 bill - Benjamin Franklin should be on the front.
Then touch the money. If the bill is printed on paper, then it is a counterfeit $100. Real dollars are printed on a special coating made from a mixture of linen and cotton. In this regard, the bill is difficult to bend and tear. The surface of real money is slightly rough and embossed in some parts.
Now you need to pay attention to the thickness of the banknote - counterfeit money is thinner than the original one. In the technical process of printing original money, high pressure is applied to the canvas, which counterfeiters cannot achieve (no matter how thin the paper is, it cannot replace a press).
There are currently two types of this banknote in circulation - old and new.
How to check the authenticity of an old-style 100 dollar bill?
Among the hundred dollars of the old model, counterfeits are much more common. Let's take a closer look at authentic banknotes.
- Pay attention to the frame of the bill. Real banknotes have a clear and continuous border.
The printing methods for real and counterfeit money are significantly different, so counterfeit money will have blurry and poorly defined designs.
- Take a closer look at the portrait, which on a genuine banknote is realistic, stands out against the general background and has a detailed drawing.
In addition, on one side of the portrait, the inscription “The United States of America” is placed through microprinting. In order to see it you will need a magnifying glass.
- Match serial numbers. They can be found on the front left and right - they must match.
- If the ink color is different, then it is not a real bill;
- If you have several 100 dollar bills, make sure they have different numbers. If they are the same, then this is counterfeit money.
On counterfeit bills, the portrait is dull and there are no details.
- Hold the banknote up to the light. The banknote must have a security strip on which the word USA is placed, followed by the denomination - 100.
- Also need pay attention to the presence/absence of a watermark. It is located on the right side of the portrait of Benjamin Franklin. You can also see the sign from the reverse side.
- See the image on the back. There should be a picture of the front façade of Independence Hall.
100 dollars new sample
The new $100 bill remains virtually unnoticed by counterfeiters, since it contains specific security features that are quite difficult to counterfeit.
Although you can find counterfeit dollars among them, the scammers take it as a basis that not many people are yet familiar with the new 100 dollar bill.
Each new 100 US dollars has security features, which can be found below:
- Watermark (image of Benjamin Franklin);
- Three-dimensional protective tape;
- Light blue color of the banknote;
- Symbol of freedom, phrases from the Declaration of Independence, feather;
- Relief printing;
- Iridescent number;
- Inkwell with a bell that disappears when tilted;
- Signature of the US Secretary of the Treasury on the right side;
- Security thread with letters USA and number 100;
- Changes in the portrait. Compared to old banknotes, the portrait is shifted slightly to the left, enlarged and not framed;
- A unique combination of 11 symbols, which is repeated twice on the front side of the banknote;
- The number 100 is golden in color on the reverse side;
- Shown is an image of the rear façade of Independence Hall.
How is $100 counterfeited?
There are several common methods:
- As a base, they take a banknote of a lower denomination (1 or 5 dollars), wash off the paint from it and apply the image of 100 dollars. Such a counterfeit is very difficult to detect, since the paper of the bill will be original and the watermarks will be visible. However, the portrait will be different, so it is important to know who is on the $100 bill.
- Add two zeros to a $1 bill. This kind of fake is easier to spot. But if in doubt, there is no need to take risks. It is advisable to contact the bank to establish authenticity using an ultraviolet lamp - the security strip will become visible, and the bill will acquire a pink tint.
Where are counterfeit dollars found?
Fraudsters are often excellent psychologists who can create a stressful situation when making a transaction, and people will not carefully consider the money. Also, scammers usually rush people or make exchanges in the dark.
In most cases, the victims of scammers are those people who have never seen one hundred US dollars. In this regard, deceivers operate near train stations and airports. This is especially true for those cities where rural and rural residents often come. Criminals want to enrich themselves through financial illiteracy.
Particular attention should be paid to a major transaction, for example, buying an apartment or a car. Fraudsters may mix genuine and counterfeit dollars. This is done on the basis that no one will check the authenticity of every dollar.
What to do if you find counterfeit $100 bills
The first thing to do is report to the police. And under no circumstances should you keep them or try to pay for the purchase of goods - this will result in criminal liability. The person may be charged with possession and distribution of counterfeit bills.
If possible, remember the person from whom you received this money. It is also advisable to remember the place, time and circumstances of the transaction. This information will be valuable to police officers.
You need to put the counterfeit banknote in a clean bag, minimizing touching the bill - the chance of punishing counterfeiters will be high.
In the states, the renewal of banknotes lasted several years, but now it has already been completed. Back in 2010, a US banknote was supposed to appear, but it actually came out only in 2013. Some sources claim that this happened due to a problem with the printing equipment. Also, test new banknotes turned out to be unusable. It took US financial institutions 2.5 years to solve this problem.
Old banknotes will not be confiscated en masse; this process will occur gradually as the old banknotes wear out.
The creation of the new 100 dollar design began in 2003. The design of the banknote has been changed radically, this is the main difference between the new banknote.
The 100 dollar bill changed from its usual gray-green color to light blue. The color scheme is dominated by grey, blue and orange. The banknote also features a blue three-dimensional ribbon and copper-colored holograms. Holographic images are special; they are not printed on paper, but seem to be “woven” into it. In addition, the latest security elements have been added to increase the reliability of the most popular banknote in the world. But the main design element has not changed. One hundred dollars is also decorated with the founding father of the United States, Benjamin Franklin. It remained the same, but was slightly enlarged and moved to the side.
The sample 100 dollar bill, in addition to its atypical design, also received modern developments, such as 3D elements.
So it will be difficult for counterfeiters; it will be much more difficult to counterfeit a banknote.
It is clear that the developers of the new 100 dollar bill have moved away from the monochrome solution to which everyone is accustomed. Lots of colored details and chameleon elements (for example, the image of a bell and the number “100” change colors from copper to green when tilted).
According to Michael Lambert, deputy director of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, the new $100 will be one of the most secure banknotes in the world. It took about 10 years just to develop the banknote’s security. The most advanced and modern technological developments were used during creation.
The illusion of the movement of the bell and the number “100” on the front side is created by a million microlenses that are woven into the paper.
In addition to these images, 3D security thread, watermarks, relief prints, color-variable images, microprinting, etc. are used.
Americans rarely use hundreds; twenty and five are in use. It is the most popular in our country. However, they will not appear in Russia any time soon.
One Hundred US Dollar Security Elements
The popularity of 100 dollars has been confirmed by many official bodies. Moreover, 2/3 of these banknotes are in circulation outside the United States. The total amount of banknotes in circulation is $864 billion. First of all, the demand for them is high in countries where the standard of living is quite low or is close to the possibility of a crisis.
The new banknotes contain a number of different elements that make them difficult to counterfeit. These include:
- 3D protective tape. It is blue in color, with bells depicted on it, and is located on the front side of the weave. If you look at it from different angles, you can see how the image of the bells gradually changes to the number 100. If the banknote is tilted forward, then back, the bells and the number move from one side to the other. When the bills are tilted to the right and left, they move up and down. The illusion of movement is created by a million microlenses.
- The bell in the inkwell is copper-colored. This image is on the front side. If you tilt the note, you can see the bell color change from copper to green. This gives the impression that the bell appears in the inkwell and then disappears.
Both of these elements are a simple and easy way to identify a bill when it is impossible to see how it shines through.
3 elements have been retained that have proven their effectiveness:
- Watermark of B. Franklin's portrait. If you look at the bill against the light, you can see its fuzzy image, which is located to the right of the portrait. This image can be seen on both sides of the bill.
- Security thread. If you again look at the bill against the light, you can see a security thread that is inserted into the paper and runs vertically to the left of the portrait. The number 100 and the letters USA are placed vertically along the entire length of the strip. Visible from both sides of the bill. When exposed to ultraviolet light, the strip begins to glow pink.
- Number 100 changing color. The number 100, which is located on the front side in the upper right corner, changes colors at different angles, like a chameleon. This number is also located in the lower right corner and when tilted changes color from copper to green.
Additional protection and design elements
New-style dollars are quite well protected from scammers. Additional security elements are applied to them:
- Relief print. If you run your finger over B. Franklin's shoulder on the left side of the weave, you can feel the roughness. This is achieved through an advanced intaglio printing process. A relief imprint is felt on the entire surface of the banknote. This is a characteristic sign of its authenticity.
- Number 100. The large golden number on the reverse side helps people with poor eyesight identify the real denomination.
- Microprinting. That is, words that are printed in small print. They are on the collar of B. Franklin's jacket, near the gold feather, along the edges of the bill.
- Federal Reserve Board designation. The US Reserve Seal is located to the left of B. Franklin. Below the serial number is a number and letter that identifies the federal bank that issued the note. There are 12 such banks in total, with 24 branches in large cities.
- Series numbers. A combination of 11 letters and numbers. These unique numbers help law enforcement agencies find counterfeit bills.
- FW symbol. There are 2 enterprises where new banknotes are printed. One is located in Fort Worth (Texas), the other is in Washington (Columbia). Banknotes printed in Fort Worth have the small letters FW in the upper left corner. If they are not there, then the bills were printed in Washington.
- Portrait and vignette. The portrait of B. Franklin remained as it was. The Independence Hall vignette has been updated. The old samples showed the main facade of the building, while the new ones showed the rear facade. The oval that framed these 2 images has now been removed.
- Symbol of freedom. The banknote contains an inscription to the right of the portrait. These are phrases taken from the Declaration of Independence and the pen.
- Color. The background of the new banknote has become light blue.
Thus, it is easy to distinguish a genuine bill from a fake.
Among the rest, which are used both in the USA and in the world. Her age is over 150 years. The current sample was developed in 2010, and put into circulation in 2013. In this article we will consider the following questions: who is depicted on the 100 dollar bill, what signs of authenticity does it have and how is it protected?
If we talk about what a 100 dollar bill looks like, the first thing that can be noted is that the location of the main elements and color are identical to the same features of money of a lower denomination. They also all have a facsimile signature that imitates the signature of real individuals.
The color of the $100 is described as “lead beige with a greenish tint.” The 2010 model also has blue inclusions.
What is on the banknote? What does 100 bucks look like from both sides?
Front side of a $100 bill. Original, photo
Front side:
- cliche;
- control letters and number;
- denomination indicated by numbers;
- imprint of the US Treasury (Department of the Treasury);
- Printing of the Reserve System;
- portrait (center).
Main elements of turnover:
- slogan IN GOD WE TRUST;
- facade of Independence Hall (where the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution were signed).
The banknote is made using a metallographic method. In this case, an intaglio type of printing is used.
Turnover is 100 dollars. Independence Hall and the slogan In God We Trust
Dimensions: 156 by 67 millimeters (2 mm deviation allowed). Dimensions in centimeters: 15.6 by 6.7.
Paper qualities and signs of authenticity
Banknote paper is made from materials:
- cotton – 75%;
- flax – 25%.
The fibers are located parallel to each other. The material is made in a gray-yellow shade and is not distinguished by the presence of gloss. As a result: under ultraviolet radiation the product acquires a dark color.
If you touch the paper, there should be a feeling of elasticity and density. Such qualities are designed to protect the bill from damage and ensure its durability.
Characteristic feature – crunch: you can hear it if you crush money.
The ink used for printing has a secret composition. It is made by the US Treasury Bureau of Engraving. Most of the seals and text are made with black ink with magnetic properties; on the back, green ink is used - without magnetic inclusions (it looks different under infrared light).
The paper is passed through three rollers during printing.
Before we move on to the technology of protecting $100 from counterfeiting, we need to deal with one more question: what kind of figure is depicted in the portrait on the front side?
US Treasury
Who is shown on the banknote?
First, there is Benjamin Franklin. Many people think that this is one of the American presidents. However, this is not at all true.
Then what is his contribution to US history? Why was he given the honor of being on the $100 bill?
Although he never stood at the head of state, his signature is on the main documents of the American state. He, along with a number of other persons, signed:
- Declaration of Independence;
- Constitution;
- The Peace of Paris of 1783 (otherwise known as the Treaty of Versailles, which ended the US War of Independence from Great Britain).
These events themselves are difficult to overestimate from a historical point of view. But Franklin’s achievements are not limited to this: he was a scientist and inventor, and, in particular, participated in the development Great White Seal– the state emblem, which is used to confirm the authenticity of documents issued by the government of the country.
Great White Seal
List of other achievements:
- invented bifocal glasses;
- received a patent for a rocking chair;
- designed a small-sized stove for heating houses;
- developed my own time management system;
- studied storm winds and created a large database on them;
- formulated the idea of an electric motor.
These are just some of the successes of inventor and explorer Benjamin Franklin. In reality, his activities were more intense.
Methods of protection against counterfeiting
Key $100 protections include:
- Three-dimensional tape. When turning, the number “100” and the bells shift mutually (they appear on the tape itself).
- Inkwell with bell– its color changes to green when the banknote is tilted, and it can also appear and disappear.
- Watermark. Duplicates the portrait to the right of the main one.
- Security thread(vertically located through the weave). Visible in clear light. Glows pink in UV. The inscriptions “USA” and “100” are visible on it.
- Changing color scheme of denomination symbols. When tilted, the denomination in the lower right corner changes its color.
- Microprinting. The inscription “United States of America” on Franklin’s collar, “USA 100” near the watermark, and “One Hundred USA” on the left-right edges.
- Relief print. A roughness is felt on Franklin's left shoulder.
The banknote has blue and red fibrous weaves that are clearly visible through a magnifying glass and do not glow in ultraviolet light.
The magnetic layer is applied with special paint and consists of magnetic and non-magnetic paper parts. This particular element is often counterfeited, and therefore does not represent an important sign of authenticity.
Conclusion
100 dollars is one of the most protected banknotes from counterfeiting. On it we can observe the politician and inventor - Benjamin Franklin. The banknote has a design that is well recognizable due to its dimensions and color scheme.
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