New $100 Bill to Foil Counterfeiters

Posted Apr 22nd 2010 2:40PM by Connie Madon
Filed under: Launches, Consumer Experience, Money and Finance Today, Headline News, Federal Reserve, Currency

Do you like the feel and crackle of new money? If you do, you will like the new $100 bills. They are designed with the latest technology to deter counterfeiters.

Here's a peek at what they will look like and the special technology that went into their production:

There is a blue three dimensional security ribbon with alternating images of bells and the number 100 that move and changes as the viewing angle is tilted. The blue ribbon in embedded in the fabric of the note.
There is another security strip, visible to the left of Franklin's head, It is visible when held up to the light. It, too, is embedded in the fabric.
There is a bell image inside a picture of an inkwell that changes from copper to green when tilted and a large 100 that does the same.
The new note has a watermark of Franklin's portrait, also visible when held up to the light.

The reason for these changes is that counterfeiters, mainly from North Korea, were able to pass off their counterfeit "super note" as real currency, usually outside the United States. This is a big problem because there are roughly $6.5 billion $100 notes in circulation. Plus, two thirds of Federal Reserve notes in circulation are outside the United States.

Fed chairman, Bernanke said officials will work to educate people on the changes in the new bill. The new $100 notes are scheduled for issue in 2011. The older notes now in circulation will be destroyed as they are replaced with the new Ben Franklins.

Do you believe that the old Ben Franklins will be collector's items?

Tags: 100 dollar bill, new 100 notes to foil counterfeiters, new100 bill