The new design for the $100 Federal Reserve Note was unveiled today by officials from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Federal Reserve Board, and the Secret Service. The bill retains the traditional look of U.S. currency, but has incorporated new advanced security features to combat counterfeiting.
The front of the note features an enlarged portrait of Benjamin Franklin and an image of a quill and inkwell to the right of the portrait. Phrases from the Declaration of Independence are also included.
The back of the note includes a new vignette of Independence Hall, showing the rear of the building is shown, rather than the front. A large gold numeral 100 appears on the back of the note. According to the government's website, this will make it easier for the visually impaired to distinguish the denomination.
Two new advanced security features have been incorporated into the new design. First, a 3-D Security Ribbon containing images of bells and 100's is woven into the paper. When the note is tilted back and forth, bells will change to 100's as they move. Second, a color shifting bell appears within the inkwell on the front of the note. The Bell in the Inkwell will change from copper to green as the note is titled, giving the appearance of appearing and disappearing within the copper colored inkwell.
The three security features from the previous design have been retained within the new design. This includes the watermark portrait of Benjamin Franklin, the security thread, and the color shifting numeral 100.
"The new security features announced today come after more than a decade of research and development to protect our currency from counterfeiting," said Treasurer of the United States Rosie Rios. "To ensure a seamless introduction of the new $100 note into the financial system, we will continue global public education of retailers, financial institutions and industry organizations to ensure that consumers and merchants are aware of the new security features."
The new $100 notes will be released in February 2011. Notes bearing the older design will continue to be legal tender and do not need to be exchanged for new notes. According to a statement from Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board Ben Bernanke, there are approximately 6.5 billion old design $100 notes currently in circulation.
Detailed information about the redesigned note can be found at www.newmoney.gov.
A video for the $100 Note unveiling is also available and has been embedded below.
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