You’ve probably held one. Maybe you’ve even tucked a crisp C-note into a birthday card or watched a cashier swipe that yellow highlighter across the corner to check for fakes. It is the most printed denomination in the United States today. But if you ask a random person on the street who is on the $100 bill, you’ll get a "President" answer more often than not.
They’re wrong.
Benjamin Franklin never sat in the Oval Office. He wasn't a Commander in Chief. Honestly, he’s one of only two non-presidents currently featured on circulating U.S. paper currency. Alexander Hamilton is the other guy on the ten. But Franklin's face on the hundred is iconic. It's so deeply embedded in our culture that "Benjamins" is basically just another word for money.
The Face of the Benjamin: Why Franklin?
The U.S. Treasury didn't just pick him out of a hat. While Franklin wasn't a president, he was arguably the most famous American in the world during the 18th century. He was a scientist. He was a diplomat. He was a printer who literally understood how to make money.
In 1914, when the Federal Reserve started issuing these notes, they needed figures who represented the soul of the country. Franklin fits. He was a polymath. Think about it—the guy helped draft the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. He secured French support during the Revolution, which, let’s be real, we probably would have lost without him.
But there’s a deeper, more practical reason. Franklin was a huge proponent of thrift and industry. "A penny saved is a penny earned" is the kind of vibe the Treasury wants for its highest-value note. They aren't putting a spendthrift on the $100 bill. They’re putting the guy who wrote Poor Richard’s Almanack.
The 1996 and 2013 Redesigns
If you look at an old bill from the 80s versus one today, Ben looks a little different. In 1996, his head got bigger. Seriously. They moved him slightly off-center to make room for a watermark and to reduce wear on the portrait.
Then came the 2013 redesign. This is the "blue" bill you see now. It has a 3D security ribbon that’s actually woven into the paper, not just printed on it. If you tilt it, the bells change to 100s. It’s high-tech stuff. Franklin is still there, looking slightly grumpy as usual, but the security features around him are some of the most advanced in the world.
Debunking the President Myth
It’s weirdly common. People assume if you're on money, you ran the country. But the criteria for being on a bill isn't "Former President." It’s "historical significance."
The Secretary of the Treasury is the one who makes the final call. According to the Department of the Treasury, the law actually forbids living people from appearing on currency. This dates back to the mid-19th century. Apparently, a guy named Spencer Clark, who was the superintendent of the National Currency Bureau, decided to put his own face on a fractional currency note in 1866. Congress was, predictably, furious. They passed a law immediately to make sure no one could pull a stunt like that again.
So, everyone on our money is dead. And while most are presidents, Franklin’s contributions were so massive that his spot on the $100 bill is basically undisputed.
The Anatomy of the Modern $100 Bill
Let’s look at the details. It’s not just Franklin’s face. There are symbols hidden all over this thing.
To the right of the portrait, you’ll see the Declaration of Independence. There's a quill and an inkwell. If you look closely at the inkwell, there’s a "Bell in the Inkwell" feature. It changes color from copper to green when you tilt it. It’s meant to look like the bell is appearing and disappearing.
The back of the bill features Independence Hall. It’s the building in Philadelphia where both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed. It makes sense. Franklin spent most of his life in Philly. He’s the city’s favorite son.
Does the Time on the Clock Mean Anything?
There is an urban legend that the clock on the back of the $100 bill is set to a specific time to commemorate something secret. On the older notes, the time was roughly 4:10. On the new ones, it’s 10:30.
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing says there’s no secret code. It’s just a time. But that hasn't stopped conspiracy theorists from trying to link it to everything from the signing of the Constitution to the Masons. In reality, it’s just a high-resolution engraving designed to be hard to copy.
Why the $100 Bill is the King of Currency
The $100 bill is a powerhouse.
Did you know there are actually more $100 bills in circulation than $1 bills? It sounds fake. But it’s true. According to Federal Reserve data, the volume of $100 notes surpassed the $1 note around 2017.
Why? Because the hundred is a global currency. People in countries with unstable economies use "Benjamins" as a store of value. It’s compact. It’s recognized everywhere. You can hide $10,000 in a relatively small envelope if it's all hundreds.
The Counterfeiting Problem
Because it's the highest value, it’s the most targeted by counterfeiters outside the U.S. (Inside the U.S., the $20 is actually faked more often because people don't check it as closely).
This is why the 2013 redesign took so long. It was actually delayed because of printing issues—the paper was creasing during the process. When you’re printing billions of dollars, a tiny crease is a massive problem.
The Treasury uses a special blend of 75% cotton and 25% linen. It’s not actually "paper" in the traditional sense. That’s why it survives a trip through the washing machine. If you look closely with a magnifying glass, you can see tiny red and blue security fibers scattered throughout.
Fun Facts About Franklin’s Bill
- The "Mule" Notes: In the collector world, a "mule" is a bill printed with plates that weren't intended to be used together. These can be worth way more than $100.
- The Weight: A stack of one hundred $100 bills (which is $10,000) weighs about 100 grams. It’s roughly the weight of a medium-sized apple.
- The Lifespan: Because people don't use hundreds for everyday small purchases, they last longer. A $1 bill lasts about 6 years. A $100 bill usually stays in circulation for over 15 years.
- The Microprinting: If you look at Franklin’s jacket collar, there’s tiny text that says "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA." You can’t see it without a loupe.
Identifying a Real Benjamin
If you’re ever worried about a bill, don't just rely on the pen. The pens only detect starch in regular wood-pulp paper. Professional counterfeiters sometimes "bleach" lower denominations and print $100 on them. The pen won't catch that.
Instead, feel the paper. Run your fingernail across Franklin’s shoulder. It should feel rough—that’s "intaglio" printing. It’s a texture that’s very hard to replicate.
Then, check the watermark. Hold it up to a light. You should see a faint image of Benjamin Franklin in the blank space to the right of the portrait. It should be visible from both sides. If it looks "drawn on" or blurry, it’s probably a fake.
The Future of the $100 Bill
There’s always talk about getting rid of the hundred. Some economists, like Larry Summers, have argued that we should kill off high-denomination notes to make it harder for criminals to move large amounts of cash.
But so far, the U.S. government has shown no interest in that. The $100 bill is too important for international trade and as a "safe haven" asset. Plus, let's be honest, "It's all about the Hamiltons" just doesn't have the same ring to it.
Actionable Steps for Handling $100 Bills
If you deal with cash regularly, you need to know how to protect yourself. It’s not just about knowing who is on the $100 bill; it's about knowing the bill itself.
- Buy a UV light: Real $100 bills have a vertical security thread that glows pink under ultraviolet light. This is one of the fastest ways to verify a stack of cash.
- Check the Gold 100: On the front bottom right, the "100" is printed in color-shifting ink. On the newest bills, it shifts from copper to green.
- Look for the Blue Ribbon: Don't just look at it—touch it. The 3D Security Ribbon is woven into the paper. It’s a physical part of the bill, not a sticker.
- Use the Watermark: Always hold the bill to the light. The watermark portrait should match the main portrait exactly. If it looks like a different person or a cartoon, it's a "bleached" bill (likely a $1 or $5 converted to a $100).
- Monitor the Series: The "Series" year on a bill doesn't mean when it was printed; it means when the design was first used or when a new Treasury Secretary took office. Don't be alarmed if the year feels "old." As long as the security features check out, it's legal tender.
Knowing these details turns you from a casual user into someone who understands the most powerful piece of paper in the world. Benjamin Franklin might not have been a president, but his presence on our currency is a testament to the fact that you don't need a title to change the course of history.
Next Steps for You: Check your wallet. If you have a $100 bill, hold it up to the light and find the watermark of Franklin. Then, run your thumb over his shoulder to feel the raised ink. If you’re interested in more currency history, look into why Harriet Tubman’s move to the $20 bill has been delayed—it’s a fascinating look at how our money changes over time.