Step-by-Step Process to Verify a $100 Bill
Step 1: Feel the Paper Texture
Run your fingers across the surface of the $100 note, paying attention to the texture. The paper should feel slightly rough to the touch because of the raised printing and its unique composition of 75 percent cotton and 25 percent linen1. Genuine currency has a distinct feel that differs from regular paper. If the note feels smooth, slick, or like standard printer paper, this is a warning sign that it may be counterfeit.
Step 2: Tilt to Check the Color-Shifting Bell
Hold the note at eye level and tilt it slowly back and forth. Look at the copper inkwell on the right side of the note, just below the portrait. The bell inside the inkwell should change from copper to green as you tilt, and it should appear to move within the inkwell2. This colour-shifting effect is a key security feature. If the bell does not change colour or appears static, the note may not be genuine.
Step 3: Examine the 3-D Security Ribbon
Locate the blue ribbon woven into the note to the right of Benjamin Franklin's portrait. Tilt the note back and forth: the bells and 100s on the ribbon should move from side to side1. Then tilt the note from side to side: the images should move up and down1. This movement is created by a three-dimensional effect that is difficult to replicate. If the ribbon does not display this motion or is printed on the surface rather than woven into the paper, the note is likely counterfeit.
Step 4: Hold the Note Up to Light
Hold the $100 note up to a light source and look through it. You should see a watermark of Benjamin Franklin's portrait, visible from both sides of the note1. Additionally, locate the security thread running vertically through the note; it should read 'USA 100' and be visible from both sides1. Both features are embedded in the paper, not printed on it. If you cannot see these elements when holding the note to light, it is not authentic.
Step 5: Check the Security Thread Under UV Light
If you have access to an ultraviolet light, hold the $100 note under it in a darkened environment. The security thread should glow pink1. This UV-reactive feature is present in genuine notes and is difficult for counterfeiters to reproduce accurately. If the thread does not glow pink or glows a different colour, the note is suspect.
Step 6: Verify All Security Features Are Present
A genuine $100 note issued from 2013 to present has all of these security features: a security thread, a watermark of Benjamin Franklin, a 3-D Security Ribbon, and colour-shifting ink3. Review your findings from the previous steps to confirm that each feature is present and behaves as described. If the note passes all checks—rough texture, colour-shifting bell, moving 3-D ribbon, visible watermark and thread, and pink UV glow—it is genuine. If any single feature is missing or does not perform correctly, do not accept the note and consider reporting it to local authorities or the U.S. Secret Service.
What Does a Real $100 Bill Look Like
The $100 note issued from 2013 to present incorporates four primary security features designed to prevent counterfeiting: a security thread, a watermark of Benjamin Franklin, a 3-D Security Ribbon, and colour-shifting ink3. These features work together to create a note that is difficult to replicate accurately. Understanding what each feature looks like and how it behaves when examined is essential before you begin verification.
The security thread runs vertically through the note and reads "USA 100"; it is embedded in the paper, not printed on the surface1. The watermark of Benjamin Franklin appears as a faint portrait visible from both sides when you hold the note up to light1. The 3-D Security Ribbon is a blue ribbon woven into the paper to the right of Franklin's portrait, displaying images of bells and 100s that move when you tilt the note1. The colour-shifting ink is found in the copper inkwell on the right side of the note; the bell inside changes from copper to green as you tilt the note, and it appears to move within the inkwell2.
Counterfeiters often replicate one or two features but rarely all four with the correct behaviour. A note that lacks the 3-D Security Ribbon or has a ribbon printed on the surface rather than woven into the paper is not genuine. Similarly, if the colour-shifting bell does not change colour or the watermark is absent, the note is counterfeit. Genuine notes also have a distinct paper texture—a blend of 75 percent cotton and 25 percent linen—that feels slightly rough due to raised printing1. Familiarising yourself with these features before handling cash reduces the risk of accepting a fake note. For broader context on counterfeit currency, see Counterfeit US Currency: Myths and Facts.
How to Check a $100 Bill by Touch
The texture of a genuine $100 note is the first indicator you can assess without any equipment. The paper should feel slightly rough to the touch because of the raised printing and its unique composition of 75 percent cotton and 25 percent linen1. This roughness is not uniform across the entire note; areas with heavy ink coverage—such as Benjamin Franklin's portrait, the numerals, and the text—will feel more pronounced than blank sections. Counterfeit notes are often printed on standard paper or polymer that lacks this cotton-linen blend, resulting in a smooth, slick surface that resembles printer paper or glossy card stock.
Why does this matter? Counterfeiters typically use commercial printers that deposit ink onto the surface rather than embedding it into the paper fibres. Genuine U.S. currency is produced using intaglio printing, a process that presses ink into the paper under high pressure, creating raised ridges you can feel with your fingertips. Run your thumb lightly across Franklin's collar, the Federal Reserve seal, or the large "100" on the back of the note; you should detect subtle ridges and texture changes. If the note feels entirely flat or waxy, it is likely counterfeit.
The cotton-linen composition also affects how the note behaves when handled. Genuine notes are durable and resist tearing, yet they do not feel as stiff as plastic or coated paper. They produce a distinctive sound when snapped or crumpled—a crisp, slightly muted rustle rather than a sharp crackle. If you are comparing multiple notes, hold a known genuine bill in one hand and the suspect note in the other; the difference in texture and weight should be immediately apparent.
Texture alone is not conclusive. Some high-quality counterfeits attempt to replicate the feel of cotton-linen paper by using textured card stock or adding surface coatings. For this reason, you should always combine the touch test with the other security checks described in this guide1. If the note feels wrong but you are uncertain, proceed to examine the 3-D Security Ribbon, colour-shifting ink, and watermark before making a final determination. For additional context on how counterfeiters attempt to replicate currency features, see Counterfeit US Currency: Myths and Facts.
How to Check a $100 Bill by Tilting
Tilting the $100 note reveals two dynamic security features that counterfeiters find difficult to reproduce: the colour-shifting bell in the copper inkwell and the 3-D Security Ribbon1. These features rely on optical effects that change as you adjust the viewing angle, making them practical for quick verification in any lighting condition. Understanding how each feature should behave when tilted—and what variations indicate a counterfeit—helps you assess authenticity without specialised equipment.
The colour-shifting bell is located in the copper inkwell on the right side of the note, just below Benjamin Franklin's portrait. When you tilt the note slowly back and forth, the bell should change from copper to green2. This shift is not a gradual fade but a distinct transition between two colours. The bell also appears to move within the inkwell as you tilt, creating an illusion of depth2. Counterfeit notes often print the bell in a single colour or use ink that does not shift convincingly; if the bell remains copper or green regardless of angle, or if the movement effect is absent, the note is suspect.
The 3-D Security Ribbon is a blue ribbon woven into the paper to the right of Franklin's portrait, displaying images of bells and 100s1. Tilt the note back and forth: the bells and 100s should move from side to side1. Tilt the note from side to side: the images should move up and down1. This perpendicular motion is created by thousands of micro-lenses embedded in the ribbon, a technology that is not easily replicated. Counterfeit notes may print a static image of the ribbon on the surface or use foil that does not produce the correct motion. If the ribbon does not move in both directions or appears to be a printed layer rather than woven into the paper, the note is not genuine.
Why do these features matter? Colour-shifting ink and micro-lens arrays require specialised manufacturing processes that are prohibitively expensive for most counterfeiters. A note that passes the tilt test demonstrates that it was produced using official U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing methods. However, some high-quality counterfeits attempt to simulate these effects using holographic foil or lenticular printing. For this reason, you should always verify the tilt features in combination with the texture, watermark, and security thread1. If the colour-shifting bell behaves correctly but the 3-D Security Ribbon does not, or vice versa, the note is likely counterfeit.
Lighting conditions affect how easily you can observe these features. Bright, direct light—such as sunlight or a desk lamp—makes the colour shift and motion more pronounced. In dim environments, hold the note at an angle that catches available light, then tilt slowly to observe the transition. If you are verifying a note in a retail or service setting, position yourself near a window or under overhead lighting to ensure you can see both features clearly. If the note fails the tilt test under good lighting, do not accept it and consider reporting it to local authorities.
How to Check a $100 Bill with Light
Holding the $100 note up to light reveals two embedded security features that cannot be replicated by surface printing: the watermark of Benjamin Franklin and the security thread reading "USA 100"1. Both features are visible from both sides of the note because they are woven into the paper during manufacture, not applied afterwards1. This method works in any environment where you can position the note between your eyes and a light source—natural daylight through a window, a lamp, or even a mobile phone torch in low-light conditions.
The watermark appears as a faint portrait of Benjamin Franklin, positioned to the right of the main printed portrait1. It should be clearly visible when you hold the note up to light, with recognisable facial features and shading that match the printed portrait. The watermark is not a mirror image or a duplicate; it is a separate rendering created by varying the thickness of the paper fibres during production. If the watermark is absent, printed on the surface, or depicts a different figure, the note is counterfeit. Some counterfeiters attempt to simulate a watermark by printing a faint image on the back of the note, but this will appear darker or more opaque than a genuine watermark and will not be visible from both sides with equal clarity.
The security thread runs vertically through the note, embedded in the paper to the left of Franklin's portrait1. When held to light, the thread should display the text "USA 100" in a clear, readable font, visible from both sides1. The thread is not a printed line but a physical strip woven into the paper; you should be able to see it as a continuous band running from top to bottom. If the thread is printed on the surface, missing, or reads different text, the note is not genuine.
Why does ultraviolet light matter? The security thread glows pink when exposed to UV light1. This feature is practical if you have access to a UV lamp or counterfeit detection pen with a UV component, commonly available in retail and banking environments. Hold the note under the UV light in a darkened space; the thread should emit a distinct pink glow along its entire length. If the thread does not glow, glows a different colour, or only portions of it glow, the note is suspect. Counterfeiters occasionally use UV-reactive ink to mimic this feature, but the glow is often inconsistent or the wrong shade.
If you do not have a UV light, the watermark and visible security thread are sufficient for basic verification when combined with the other checks described in this guide1. A genuine $100 note will pass all three methods—touch, tilt, and light—not just one or two. If the watermark and thread are present but the 3-D Security Ribbon or colour-shifting bell is absent, the note is still counterfeit. For additional guidance on identifying counterfeit currency across denominations, see Counterfeit US Currency: Myths and Facts.
Step-by-Step Process to Verify a $100 Bill
Combining all three verification methods—touch, tilt, and light—provides the most reliable assessment of a $100 note's authenticity1. Each method targets different security features, and counterfeiters rarely replicate all of them convincingly. The order in which you perform these checks matters less than ensuring you complete all three before accepting the note as genuine.
Begin by feeling the paper: it should feel slightly rough due to raised printing and its composition of 75 percent cotton and 25 percent linen1. If the texture is smooth or waxy, proceed to the other checks with heightened suspicion. Next, tilt the note to observe the colour-shifting bell in the copper inkwell, which should change from copper to green and appear to move within the inkwell2. In the same motion, check the blue 3-D Security Ribbon; when tilted back and forth, the bells and 100s should move from side to side, and when tilted side to side, they should move up and down1. Finally, hold the note up to light to see the watermark of Benjamin Franklin, visible from both sides1, and the security thread reading "USA 100", also visible from both sides and glowing pink under ultraviolet light1.
Why does this sequence matter? Starting with touch allows you to quickly eliminate low-quality counterfeits before investing time in detailed inspection. Tilting requires good lighting but no additional equipment, making it practical in most environments. Checking with light is the final confirmation, as embedded features like the watermark and security thread are the hardest to counterfeit. If any single feature fails, the note is suspect; if two or more fail, the note is almost certainly counterfeit and should not be accepted.
What to Do If Verification Fails
When checking a $100 bill using the touch, tilt, and light methods, you may encounter issues that make it difficult to determine its authenticity. Here are some common problems and how to address them.
The Colour-Shifting Bell Does Not Change Colour
The colour-shifting bell in the copper inkwell should change from copper to green when tilted. If this does not happen, the note may be counterfeit. Check the bell's colour transition again under different lighting conditions, such as bright direct light or dim light. If the colour still does not shift, it is likely a counterfeit note.
The 3-D Security Ribbon Does Not Move
The 3-D Security Ribbon should move side to side when tilted back and forth and up and down when tilted from side to side. If the ribbon does not move as expected, it may be a printed image rather than a woven security feature. Verify that the ribbon is woven into the paper and not just printed on the surface.
The Watermark Is Not Visible or Appears Incorrect
The watermark of Benjamin Franklin should be visible when holding the note up to light. If the watermark is absent, printed on the surface, or depicts a different figure, the note is likely counterfeit. Check the watermark under different light sources to ensure it is visible.
The Security Thread Does Not Glow Pink Under UV Light
The security thread should glow pink when exposed to UV light. If the thread does not glow or glows a different colour, it may be a counterfeit note. Ensure that the UV light is functioning correctly and check the thread again.
You Are Still Uncertain After Checking All Security Features
If you have checked all the security features and are still unsure about the note's authenticity, it is best to err on the side of caution. Do not accept the note and consider reporting it to local authorities. You can also consult with a financial institution or a professional currency expert for further guidance.
Key Takeaways
To verify a $100 bill, remember to:
- Feel the paper for a slightly rough texture due to raised printing and its unique composition
- Tilt the note to observe the colour-shifting bell and the 3-D Security Ribbon's motion
- Check with light to see the watermark of Benjamin Franklin and the security thread reading "USA 100"
If any of these features fail to verify, the note is likely counterfeit. For further guidance on identifying counterfeit currency, consider reading Counterfeit US Currency: Myths and Facts.