How to Spot a Fake $100 Dollar Bill

Security Feature Verification Checklist for $100 Bills

Visual Security Features: What to Look For

Genuine $100 notes incorporate several visual security features that remain visible under normal lighting conditions and require no special equipment to verify. These elements provide your first line of defence when examining a note for authenticity, and each feature serves a distinct purpose in the authentication process.

Begin by holding the note up to a light source—a window, lamp, or overhead light works well. Look for the watermark of Benjamin Franklin on the right side of the portrait, between the portrait itself and the security thread. This watermark should be visible from both sides of the note when held to light¹. The watermark is embedded in the paper during manufacturing, not printed on the surface, so it appears as a faint image within the paper fibres. Counterfeit watermarks are typically printed and visible only from one side, or they appear too dark and distinct rather than subtly embedded.

Whilst holding the note to light, locate the vertical security thread running from top to bottom. This thread is woven into the paper itself and contains the text USA and the numeral 100 in an alternating pattern, which becomes especially clear under ultraviolet light when it glows pink¹.

Next, tilt the note back and forth whilst observing the 3-D Security Ribbon woven into the front of the bill. The images of bells and the numeral 100 should move side to side when you tilt the note forward and backward, then shift to moving up and down when you tilt it left and right¹. This movement is smooth and continuous on genuine notes; counterfeit ribbons typically show static images or incorrect motion. At the same time, watch the numeral 100 in the lower right corner of the front—it should shift from copper to green as you tilt the note, demonstrating the colour-shifting ink¹.

Finally, examine the microprinted text using a magnifying glass or your smartphone camera's zoom function. Look for 'THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA' on Benjamin Franklin's jacket collar, 'USA 100' around the portrait watermark, and 'ONE HUNDRED USA' along the golden quill¹. Genuine microprinting appears crisp and legible when magnified; counterfeit microprinting looks blurry, broken, or consists of dots rather than continuous text.

When all these visual features align correctly—watermark visible from both sides, 3-D ribbon moving in two directions, colour-shifting ink changing smoothly, and microprinting sharp—you have strong evidence the note is authentic. If any feature fails, proceed to the tactile and ultraviolet tests covered in the following sections before accepting the note.

Touch and Feel: Texture Tests for Authenticity

Genuine $100 notes have a distinctive texture that counterfeiters struggle to replicate accurately. Before examining any visual features, run your fingertips across the note's surface—this tactile check requires no equipment and provides immediate clues about authenticity.

The paper itself differs fundamentally from ordinary printing paper. Authentic US currency is printed on a blend of 75 percent cotton and 25 percent linen². This composition creates a crisp, slightly textured feel that remains firm even when handled repeatedly. Standard paper used in most counterfeit attempts contains wood pulp and feels softer, smoother, or more limp by comparison. Hold a genuine note and a piece of standard printer paper side by side: the currency feels noticeably stiffer and has a subtle fabric-like quality, whilst printer paper feels thinner and more pliable. If the note in question feels too smooth, too soft, or tears easily, it is likely counterfeit.

Beyond the paper composition, genuine $100 notes feature raised printing that you can feel with your fingertips¹. This intaglio printing process creates a tactile texture on specific areas of the note, particularly on Benjamin Franklin's shoulder and jacket. To verify this feature, place your thumb and forefinger on Franklin's portrait and gently rub back and forth. You should feel distinct ridges and texture where the ink sits raised above the paper surface. The raised printing also appears throughout the note on other design elements, including the Federal Reserve and Treasury seals and the note's denomination numerals.

Counterfeit notes typically fail this test in one of two ways: either they have no raised texture at all because they were printed using standard inkjet or laser printers, or they show uneven, inconsistent texture where counterfeiters attempted to simulate the effect through embossing or layered printing. Genuine raised printing feels uniform and deliberate, with smooth transitions between raised and flat areas. If the texture feels random, excessively rough, or absent entirely, the note is suspect.

To perform a thorough tactile check, follow these steps:

1. Hold the note between your thumb and forefinger, feeling the overall paper texture and stiffness.
2. Run your fingertips across Benjamin Franklin's shoulder and jacket, noting any raised texture.
3. Check the Federal Reserve Seal, Treasury Seal, and denomination numerals for consistent raised printing.
4. Compare the texture to a known genuine note if you have one available.

This tactile verification works best when combined with visual and light-based checks. If the paper feels correct and the raised printing is present and uniform, proceed to verify the watermark, security thread, and other features. If the texture fails either test—wrong paper composition or missing raised printing—you have strong evidence of a counterfeit and should refuse the note.

UV Light Test: Checking the Security Thread

The ultraviolet light test reveals a security feature invisible under normal lighting: a vertical thread embedded in the paper that glows pink when illuminated by UV light. This thread runs from top to bottom on the left side of Benjamin Franklin's portrait and contains the text USA and the numeral 100 printed in an alternating pattern¹. Counterfeiters often omit this feature entirely or print a fake thread that does not fluoresce, making the UV test one of the most reliable authentication methods available.

To perform the UV light test, you will need a portable UV lamp or blacklight torch, which are widely available from security supply retailers, electronics shops, and online marketplaces for £10–£30. Many businesses that regularly handle cash keep a UV lamp at the counter for this purpose. The test works best in a darkened environment where the fluorescent glow stands out clearly against the note's background.

Follow these steps to verify the security thread:

1. Turn on the UV lamp and allow it to warm up for a few seconds if required.
2. Dim the room lighting or move to a darker area to enhance visibility of the fluorescent glow.
3. Hold the $100 note flat and position the UV lamp approximately 5–10 centimetres above the note's surface.
4. Locate the vertical security thread on the left side of Franklin's portrait—it should glow bright pink under UV light¹.
5. Examine the thread closely to confirm the alternating USA and 100 text pattern running along its length¹.

Genuine security threads glow with a consistent, bright pink colour that is immediately visible under UV light. The alternating text should appear clear and evenly spaced. If the thread does not glow at all, glows a different colour, or shows no text pattern, the note is counterfeit. Some low-quality counterfeits include a printed line that mimics the thread's position but produces no fluorescence; others may use a thread that glows the wrong colour, such as blue or green, which are used on different denominations.

The UV test is particularly effective because it requires specialised materials and manufacturing processes that counterfeiters cannot easily replicate. Whilst visual features like the watermark or colour-shifting ink can be simulated with varying degrees of success, the fluorescent security thread demands specific phosphorescent compounds embedded during paper production. This makes the UV test a strong secondary verification step after your initial visual and tactile checks.

When the security thread glows pink and displays the correct USA 100 pattern, you have strong evidence the note is genuine. Combine this result with the visual features and texture tests to reach a confident authentication decision before accepting the note.

Step-by-Step Authentication Process

Authenticating a $100 note requires checking multiple security features in a logical sequence. Start with features visible under normal lighting, then move to tactile checks, and finish with ultraviolet verification if you have the equipment. This layered approach ensures you catch counterfeits that may pass one test but fail others.

Hold the Note to Light

Position the note between yourself and a light source—a window, lamp, or overhead light works well. Look for two embedded security features that become visible when light passes through the paper:

• Watermark: Locate the faint image of Benjamin Franklin on the right side of the portrait, between the portrait itself and the security thread. This watermark should be visible from both sides of the note when held to light¹. Genuine watermarks appear as subtle, embedded images within the paper fibres, not printed on the surface.
• Security thread: Identify the vertical thread running from top to bottom on the left side of Franklin's portrait. The thread is woven into the paper and contains the text USA and the numeral 100 in an alternating pattern¹. This thread should appear as a continuous line embedded in the paper, not a printed stripe.

If either feature is missing, printed on the surface rather than embedded, or visible from only one side, the note is likely counterfeit.

Tilt the Note

Hold the note flat and tilt it slowly back and forth, then side to side, whilst observing two dynamic security features:

• 3-D Security Ribbon: Watch the blue ribbon woven into the front of the note. The images of bells and the numeral 100 should move side to side when you tilt the note forward and backward, then shift to moving up and down when you tilt it left and right¹. Genuine ribbons show smooth, continuous motion in both directions.
• Colour-shifting ink: Focus on the numeral 100 in the lower right corner of the front. It should shift from copper to green as you change the viewing angle¹. The colour transition should be smooth and consistent across the entire numeral.

Counterfeit notes typically show static images on the ribbon or incorrect motion, and the colour-shifting ink may not change at all or shift to the wrong colours.

Feel the Texture

Run your fingertips across the note's surface to verify two tactile features:

• Paper composition: The note should feel crisp and slightly textured, with a fabric-like quality. Genuine currency is printed on a blend of 75 percent cotton and 25 percent linen², which feels noticeably different from standard printer paper.
• Raised printing: Place your thumb and forefinger on Benjamin Franklin's shoulder and jacket, then rub gently. You should feel distinct ridges where the ink sits raised above the paper surface¹. This intaglio printing also appears on the Federal Reserve and Treasury seals and the denomination numerals.

If the paper feels too smooth, too soft, or the raised printing is absent or inconsistent, the note is suspect.

Examine Microprinting

Use a magnifying glass or your smartphone camera's zoom function to inspect three areas of microprinted text:

• 'THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA' on Benjamin Franklin's jacket collar¹
• 'USA 100' around the portrait watermark¹
• 'ONE HUNDRED USA' along the golden quill¹

Genuine microprinting appears crisp and legible when magnified. Counterfeit microprinting looks blurry, broken, or consists of dots rather than continuous text.

Use UV Light (Optional)

If you have access to a UV lamp, perform this final verification:

• Hold the note flat and position the UV lamp 5–10 centimetres above the surface.
• Locate the vertical security thread on the left side of Franklin's portrait—it should glow bright pink under UV light¹.
• Confirm the alternating USA and 100 text pattern running along the thread¹.

If the thread does not glow pink or shows no text pattern, the note is counterfeit.

When all these features align correctly—watermark and thread visible to light, 3-D ribbon and colour-shifting ink moving and changing as expected, paper texture and raised printing present, microprinting sharp, and UV thread glowing pink—you have strong evidence the note is authentic. If any feature fails, refuse the note and contact local authorities if you suspect deliberate counterfeiting.

Additional Identifying Marks on Genuine $100 Bills

Beyond the primary security features, genuine $100 notes contain additional identifying marks that provide further authentication layers. These elements appear in specific locations and follow precise design standards, making them useful secondary checks when you need to verify a note's authenticity. Whilst counterfeiters may replicate some of the more prominent features, they often overlook or poorly execute these smaller details.

Federal Reserve System Seal

The Federal Reserve System Seal appears as a black circular seal to the left of Benjamin Franklin's portrait¹. This seal identifies which Federal Reserve Bank issued the note and contains several design elements that are difficult to counterfeit accurately. The seal includes the name of the issuing Federal Reserve Bank, a letter designation (A through L, corresponding to the twelve Federal Reserve districts), and intricate border details.

Genuine seals show sharp, clean lines with consistent ink density throughout the design. The text within the seal should be legible and evenly printed, with no blurring or broken characters. Counterfeit seals often appear fuzzy, show uneven ink distribution, or contain text that looks pixelated when examined closely. The seal should also align properly with other design elements on the note—misalignment can indicate a counterfeit where different components were printed separately rather than in a single integrated process.

Complete Microprinted Text Locations

Microprinting appears in three distinct locations on genuine $100 notes, each serving as a verification point that counterfeiters struggle to replicate¹. These tiny text strings require magnification to read clearly but provide strong authentication evidence when examined properly.

The first microprinted text, 'THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA', runs along Benjamin Franklin's jacket collar on the left side of his portrait¹. This text appears in a continuous line that follows the curve of the collar. When magnified, each letter should be crisp and distinct, with no breaks or gaps in the characters.

The second location contains 'USA 100' repeated around the blank oval area where the portrait watermark appears¹. This text forms a border around the watermark space and should be visible with magnification from both the front and back of the note. The repetition should be consistent, with even spacing between each 'USA 100' instance.

The third microprinted text, 'ONE HUNDRED USA', runs along the golden quill to the right of Franklin's portrait¹. This text follows the quill's length and should appear as a solid line of tiny, legible characters when viewed through a magnifying glass or smartphone camera zoom.

To verify microprinting effectively, use a magnifying glass with at least 10× magnification or your smartphone camera's digital zoom. Position the note under good lighting and focus on each of the three locations in turn. Genuine microprinting appears as continuous, sharp text with clean edges. Counterfeit microprinting typically shows one of several failure modes: the text may appear as a series of dots rather than solid characters, the letters may be blurred or broken, or the text may be missing entirely and replaced with a solid line that mimics the appearance of microprinting from a distance.

These additional marks work best as confirmation checks after you have verified the primary security features. When the Federal Reserve Seal shows sharp detail and proper alignment, and all three microprinted text locations display clear, legible characters under magnification, you have further evidence supporting the note's authenticity. Combined with the watermark, security thread, 3-D Security Ribbon, colour-shifting ink, and tactile features, these identifying marks complete a comprehensive authentication process that catches the vast majority of counterfeit notes in circulation.

Common Mistakes and Misconceptions

When checking $100 bills for authenticity, people often make mistakes that can lead to accepting counterfeit notes. We will explore some of the most common errors and how to avoid them.

Relying Solely on Visual Inspection

Many people check $100 bills by just looking at them, but this is not enough. Counterfeiters can create convincing replicas that look genuine at first glance. To avoid this mistake, always combine visual checks with tactile examination and light-based tests, such as checking the raised printing and the security thread under UV light¹.

Ignoring the Security Thread Under UV Light

Some individuals fail to check the security thread under UV light, which is a critical authentication step. The thread should glow pink and display the alternating "USA 100" pattern. Without this check, counterfeit notes with fake or non-fluorescent threads may go undetected. To perform this test correctly, use a UV lamp in a darkened space and observe the thread's colour and pattern¹.

Not Checking for Raised Printing

Genuine $100 notes have raised printing on Benjamin Franklin's shoulder and jacket, which creates a distinct tactile texture. Counterfeit notes often lack this feature or have an uneven texture. To verify raised printing, run your fingertips across the relevant areas to feel the texture¹.

Misunderstanding the 3-D Security Ribbon

The 3-D Security Ribbon is a sophisticated security feature that can be tricky to verify correctly. Some people mistakenly believe that the ribbon's movement is random or that it only moves in one direction. In reality, the images of bells and 100s should move side to side when tilted back and forth, and up and down when tilted side to side. To check this feature correctly, tilt the note in different directions and observe the ribbon's movement¹.

Overlooking Microprinted Text

Microprinted text is a challenging feature for counterfeiters to replicate accurately. However, some individuals may not know where to look for it or may not use sufficient magnification to verify its presence. To check microprinted text, use a magnifying glass or your smartphone camera's zoom function to examine the text on Benjamin Franklin's jacket collar, around the portrait watermark, and along the golden quill¹.

Key Takeaways

To confidently identify genuine $100 bills, remember to:

• Check the 3-D Security Ribbon for smooth movement when tilting the note
• Verify the watermark and security thread under light
• Feel for raised printing on Benjamin Franklin's shoulder and jacket
• Examine microprinted text using magnification
• Use UV light to confirm the security thread glows pink

Next, practise verifying these security features with a known genuine $100 bill to build your confidence and accuracy. For more information on detecting counterfeit currency, visit our guide on How to Detect a Counterfeit $100 Dollar Bill.

Evidence and sources

1. $100 Note
2. Decoding Dollars $100 | U.S. Currency Education Program