REAL or FAKE? How to Tell If $100 Bill is Counterfeit

There are a few ways to tell if a bill is counterfeit or not. Let's talk about some of them on the $100 bill.

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Security Thread

Hold the note to light to see an embedded thread running vertically to the left of the portrait. The thread is imprinted with the letters USA and the numeral 100 in an alternating pattern and is visible from both sides of the note. The thread glows pink when illuminated by ultraviolet light.

3-D Security Ribbon

Tilt the note back and forth while focusing on the blue ribbon. You will see the bells change to 100s as they move. When you tilt the note back and forth, the bells and 100s move side to side. If you tilt it side to side, they move up and down. The ribbon is woven into the paper, not printed on it.

Bell in the Inkwell

Tilt the note to see the color-shifting bell in the copper inkwell change from copper to green, an effect which makes the bell seem to appear and disappear within the inkwell.

Watermark

Hold the note to light and look for a faint image of Benjamin Franklin in the blank space to the right of the portrait. The image is visible from both sides of the note.

Color-Shifting Ink

Tilt the note to see the numeral 100 in the lower right corner of the front of the note shift from copper to green.