Who Is The President On The 100 Dollar Bill? Benjamin Franklin And US Currency Facts
Clarification Note: While many search queries ask which "president" is featured on the $100 bill, the individual depicted is actually Benjamin Franklin. Franklin was one of the nation's most influential Founding Fathers, diplomats, and scientists, but he never held the office of the President of the United States.
For decades, the United States $100 bill has stood as the highest-denomination Federal Reserve Note in active circulation. It is recognized globally as a primary store of physical value and a cornerstone of international trade. Yet, a persistent point of confusion among consumers, travelers, and history enthusiasts alike is the identity of the statesman on its face.
Despite the widespread assumption that all faces on U.S. paper currency belong to former chief executives, the man on the $100 bill is Benjamin Franklin. Understanding why this non-president was chosen, how the note has evolved technically, and how to verify its authenticity is essential for financial literacy and commercial security.
Why Benjamin Franklin Graces the 100 Dollar Bill
To understand why Benjamin Franklin appears on the $100 bill, one must look at his unparalleled contributions to the founding of the United States and his unique historical relationship with paper currency itself.
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A Founding Father of Global Stature
Benjamin Franklin was a polymath whose accomplishments spanned science, literature, diplomacy, and political theory. He was one of the key drafters and signers of both the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution. As a diplomat to France, his negotiations secured the vital military and financial alliances that allowed the nascent American colonies to win the Revolutionary War.
Because of his foundational role in shaping the nation's political identity, the Department of the Treasury selected Franklin to feature on the $100 bill when the modern sizes of Federal Reserve Notes were standardized in 1929. The Treasury department historically reserved currency portraits for individuals who had a profound, permanent impact on American history, regardless of whether they occupied the Oval Office.
The Original Pioneer of Anti-Counterfeiting
Long before the Federal Reserve system or the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) existed, Benjamin Franklin was a professional printer. In the mid-18th century, he designed and printed colonial paper currency for Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey.
Franklin was a pioneer in early anti-counterfeiting technology. He invented the "leaf print" method, which involved taking unique impressions of actual tree leaves and transferring them to printing plates. Because no two leaves are identical and the intricate vein patterns are nearly impossible to replicate by hand engraving, this technique effectively deterred counterfeiters of his era. Placing Franklin on the most heavily circulated high-value note in the world is a fitting tribute to the father of American currency security.
The Technical Evolution of the 100 Dollar Note
The design of the $100 bill has undergone several major overhauls to combat sophisticated counterfeiting operations. The current design—often referred to as the "new 100 dollar bill"—was first introduced into circulation in October 2013 and continues to be the standard design circulating globally.
Materials and Substrate Integrity
Unlike standard paper, which is made from wood pulp, United States currency paper is a specialized blend of 75% cotton and 25% linen. This composition gives the bill its distinctive feel, crispness, and long-term durability. Woven throughout the substrate are tiny, synthetic blue and red security fibers of varying lengths.
Modern Security Architectures
The $100 bill incorporates a series of complex physical and optical security features that are exceptionally difficult for counterfeiters to replicate.
- The 3D Security Ribbon: Woven directly into the paper (rather than printed on top) is a blue, vertical ribbon to the right of Franklin's portrait. When the bill is tilted, the images of bells transform into numeral "100s," and they move side-to-side or up-and-down in a direction opposite to the physical tilt of the note.
- The Bell in the Inkwell: Located inside the copper-colored inkwell on the front of the bill is a color-shifting bell. When the note is tilted, the bell shifts color from copper to vibrant green, making it appear to vanish and reappear within the inkwell.
- The Color-Shifting Numeral: The large numeral "100" in the lower right corner on the front of the bill shifts from copper to green when tilted.
- Watermark Analysis: When held to a light source, a faint, localized watermark of Benjamin Franklin’s face is visible in the blank space to the right of the portrait. It is embedded within the paper structure and can be seen from both sides of the bill.
- Security Thread: A vertical, polymer security thread is embedded to the left of Franklin’s portrait. It is printed with the text "USA 100" and can be seen from both sides when held to the light. Crucially, this thread glows bright pink under ultraviolet (UV) light, which serves as a rapid authentication method for retail cashiers.
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Comparative Analysis: Portraits on US Paper Currency
The Treasury Department has maintained a consistent lineup of portraits on circulating paper currency for decades. This table details the denomination, the historical figure featured, their presidential status, and the key identifying security elements of each note.
| Denomination | Historical Portrait | President? | Year First Featured | Primary Security Features (Circulating Designs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1 | George Washington | Yes | 1869 | Standard green/black intaglio ink, raised printing, distinct red/blue fibers. |
| $2 | Thomas Jefferson | Yes | 1869 | Raised printing, Federal Reserve seal, distinct red/blue fibers. |
| $5 | Abraham Lincoln | Yes | 1914 | Large purple "5" watermark, vertical security thread glowing blue under UV light. |
| $10 | Alexander Hamilton | No | 1914 | Color-shifting "10", portrait watermark, vertical security thread glowing orange under UV light. |
| $20 | Andrew Jackson | Yes | 1914 | Color-shifting "20", portrait watermark, vertical security thread glowing green under UV light. |
| $50 | Ulysses S. Grant | Yes | 1914 | Color-shifting "50", portrait watermark, vertical security thread glowing yellow under UV light. |
| $100 | Benjamin Franklin | No | 1914 | 3D Security Ribbon, Bell in the Inkwell, color-shifting "100", security thread glowing pink under UV. |
Practical Verification: How to Detect Counterfeit 100 Dollar Bills
When handling high-value currency in commercial or personal transactions, relying on a single security feature is a vulnerability. Professional cash managers and financial institutions utilize a systematic "Feel, Tilt, Light" workflow to authenticate the $100 bill rapidly.
Verification Protocol:
Feel the Texture: Pass a fingernail across the shoulder of Benjamin Franklin's portrait. You should feel a distinct, rough texture produced by the intaglio printing process. Counterfeit notes printed via flat inkjet or laser systems will feel smooth and lack this raised surface depth.
Tilt for Color Shifts: Always tilt the note to verify that the large "100" in the bottom-right corner and the bell inside the copper inkwell actively change from copper to green. If these elements remain a static color or merely glitter without shifting hue, the bill is highly likely to be counterfeit.
Look Through the Light: Hold the bill up to a light source to check the watermark and security thread. The watermark of Franklin should match the printed portrait exactly in character and shade. The security thread must run vertically on the left side of the note and display the text "USA 100" clearly.
If you suspect you have received a counterfeit $100 bill, do not return it to the passer. Write down any identifying details of the individual who presented the note, handle the bill as little as possible to preserve fingerprints, and contact your local law enforcement agency or the United States Secret Service immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 100 Dollar Bill
Who is the president on the 100 dollar bill?
There is no president on the $100 bill. The face depicted on the note belongs to Benjamin Franklin, a famous American scientist, diplomat, writer, and Founding Father who never served as the President of the United States.
While most U.S. bills feature former presidents, the Treasury Department has historically honored key non-presidential figures like Franklin and Alexander Hamilton (on the $10 bill) for their monumental contributions to the nation’s foundation and financial infrastructure.
Why is Benjamin Franklin on the 100 dollar bill if he wasn't a president?
Benjamin Franklin is honored on the $100 bill because of his monumental role in securing American independence and his history as an early pioneer of paper currency. His diplomatic efforts secured the French support crucial to winning the Revolutionary War, and his signatures on the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution made him a premier architect of the United States.
Additionally, Franklin was a master printer who designed and printed colonial paper money, creating innovative anti-counterfeiting measures that protected early American commerce.
Are there any other non-presidents on US paper money?
Yes, Alexander Hamilton is the other non-president featured on actively circulating U.S. paper money, appearing on the $10 bill. Hamilton was the nation's first Secretary of the Treasury and played a pivotal role in establishing the modern American financial system.
Historically, other non-presidents have appeared on high-denomination notes that are no longer in active circulation, such as Salmon P. Chase (the Secretary of the Treasury during the Civil War) on the $10,000 bill.
When was the 100 dollar bill last redesigned?
The current design of the $100 bill was officially released into circulation on October 8, 2013. This redesign introduced highly advanced security protocols, including the 3D Security Ribbon and the color-shifting Bell in the Inkwell, to stay ahead of sophisticated international counterfeiting networks.
Prior to the 2013 release, the bill underwent its last major redesign in 1996, which introduced the larger, off-center portrait of Benjamin Franklin.
Is there a 100,000 dollar bill?
Yes, a $100,000 gold certificate exists, but it was never allowed to enter public circulation. Issued in 1934, this note featured a portrait of President Woodrow Wilson and was used exclusively for official transactions between Federal Reserve Banks.
The United States has not printed any denominations higher than $100 since 1945, and the Federal Reserve officially discontinued the issuance of the $500, $1,000, $5,000, and $10,000 bills in 1969 due to a lack of public demand and security concerns.
Securing Physical Capital in the Modern Economy
Understanding the technical specifications of physical currency is a critical component of risk mitigation for businesses and financial institutions. As digital and physical payment channels continue to merge, maintaining rigorous standards for cash handling ensures the security and stability of daily business operations. By training staff to recognize the distinct, verified security elements of the $100 bill, businesses protect their bottom line and uphold the overall integrity of the financial system.
