A fake $100 dollar bill vs real $100 bill may prove to be deceiving at a glance. A counterfeit bill may replicate the colors, portraits, numbers, and other visual features on real Federal Reserve Notes. This can make it difficult to instantly tell the difference between a real and a fake dollar bill. Some counterfeit 100 dollar bills are actually undetectable by traditional detection means for up to a year like our offers.Â
Thankfully, genuine bills have security features built-in that make counterfeiting more challenging and help consumers, retailers, banks, cash handlers, and others discern between the real and fake currency. A good start advised by the U.S. Currency Education Program is to feel, tilt, and check against light.
When comparing a fake $100 dollar bill vs real $100 bill, this should prove to be more helpful than focusing on a single feature.
 Fake $100 Dollar Bill vs Real
The current-design $100 Federal Reserve Note has been issued beginning in 2013 and has several security features, including:
A blue 3-D Security Ribbon
A color-shifting Bell in the Inkwell
A color-shifting numeral 100
A portrait watermark of Benjamin Franklin
An embedded security thread
Raised printing
Microprinting
Special cotton-and-linen paper with embedded security fibers
The U.S. Currency Education Program highlights the security thread, portrait watermark, 3-D Security Ribbon, and color-shifting features as the main authentication features of the current $100.
By knowing what these features are like, it gives one a few key methods to discern a genuine currency from a suspected counterfeit.
Fake $100 Dollar Bill vs Real: How to Tell the Difference
 1. Check the Blue 3-D Security Ribbon
One of the easiest ways to check a fake $100 dollar bill vs real $100 bill is looking at the blue 3-D Security Ribbon.
On a genuine current-design $100, the blue ribbon is woven into the paper itself and not simply printed on the surface. On the real current-design note, the images of bells and the numeral 100 on the ribbon should appear to change as the bill is tilted back and forth. Tilt the bill in different directions for a different look.
This is important as a counterfeit bill may attempt to mimic the appearance of the blue ribbon. Focus more on checking the blue ribbon rather than seeing if a blue strip exists.
Real $100 bill:
Blue 3-D Security Ribbon is woven.
Bells and 100s change as the bill is tilted.
It changes from bells to 100s as it is tilted.
Suspected fake:
Ribbon may be printed.
Bell and 100 images may be fixed.
The movement may not look like on a genuine bill when it is tilted.
2. Look for the Color-Shifting Bell in the Inkwell
One of the distinct features of the current $100 is the Bell in the Inkwell.
On a genuine note, the bell is found inside a copper-colored inkwell. Tilt the bill to see the bell change from a copper to green. This can give the illusion of the bell entering and exiting the inkwell.
When looking at a fake $100 dollar bill vs real, a good idea is to not rely only on a visual image. This means physically tilting the bill and looking at the bill under actual light.
A counterfeit bill may copy the general appearance of the bell and inkwell. But this might not reproduce the genuine color change.
3. Check the Color-Shifting 100
The large numeral 100 at the lower-right portion of the front of the current $100 bill also has color-shifting ink.
Tilt a genuine current-design note and the numeral 100 should change from a copper tone to green. This is yet another quick authentication method recommended by the U.S. Currency Education Program.
A bill that has a large “100” in the right location is not necessarily a genuine bill. The important detail is that a security feature should behave as expected.
 What to look for
Genuine current-design $100:
Numeral 100 is present in the lower-right corner.
Numeral 100 changes from copper to green when tilted.
Potential counterfeit:
Color doesn’t change.
It looks printed instead of changing.
The feature doesn’t look like a genuine bill.
Remember that older legitimate $100 bills can have different security features. Older designs are still legal tender, so the absence of the current blue ribbon does not automatically mean that a $100 bill is fake.
4. Hold the Bill Up to Light for the Watermark
The portrait watermark is a helpful feature to use when comparing a fake $100 dollar bill vs real.
When a current-design $100 is held to light, one should be able to see a faint image of Benjamin Franklin in the blank area to the right of the printed portrait. The watermark is visible from both sides of the note.
It shouldn’t just be another image printed on the front of the bill.
If one holds a bill to light and the watermark is not found, that is an indication to take a closer look at the bill. But in general, authentication should not rely only on a single feature. The official U.S. Currency Education Program also suggests using multiple features.
5. Check the Security Thread
The security thread is embedded and can be seen when a genuine $100 is held up to light.
The security thread is found on the current $100 to the left of Benjamin Franklin’s portrait, vertically. It contains the words USA and 100 in an alternating pattern. It can also be seen on both sides of the bill and glows pink under UV light.
This makes the security thread a good tool in a fake $100 dollar bill vs real comparison.
A counterfeit note may try to simulate the appearance of the embedded security thread by printing a line. The embedded genuine security thread behaves differently from one that is printed.
6. Feel the Paper
Sometimes the quickest way to spot a counterfeit bill is by simply touching it.
Genuine Federal Reserve notes are printed on a distinctive cotton-and-linen paper that also has red and blue security fibers. Genuine notes also have a raised texture.
Run one’s fingers over this bill.
A genuine bill should not be felt exactly like ordinary printer paper. The raised printing is more noticeable around portions of the portrait and other printed areas. If a supposed genuine $100 note feels unusually smooth, thin, stiff, or similar to ordinary paper, it may deserve a second look. However, note that a worn bill may feel different from a brand new bill.
7. Examine the Microprinting
Microprinting is another security feature built into US currency.
On the $100 note, very small text appears in specific areas of the design. The U.S. Currency Education Program notes that magnification may be necessary to examine some microprinting. On the current $100 design, examples include the tiny USA 100 text within the lower-left numeral and THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA text within the line on Franklin’s coat.
Microprinting should appear clear under magnification.
If small text appears blurred or otherwise impossible to discern, that can be an issue. Again, microprinting should be considered as a part of other features to take a look at.
Fake $100 Dollar Bill vs Real: Quick Comparison
| Feature | Genuine Current $100 Bill | Suspected Counterfeit |
| 3-D Security Ribbon | Woven and changes when tilted | May be printed or missing movement |
| Bell in the Inkwell | Changes from copper to green | May not change correctly |
| Color-shifting 100 | Changes from copper to green | May remain the same color |
| Watermark | Franklin portrait when held to light | May be missing or wrong reproduction |
| Security Thread | Embedded and reads USA 100 | May be missing or fake |
| Paper | Cotton/linen composition with distinctive feel | May feel like regular paper |
| Raised Printing | Texture distinctive | May feel unusually flat |
| Microprinting | Fine details should be clear under magnification | May appear blurred or wrong |
Can an older $100 bill be real without the blue ribbon?
Yes.
This is an important question when learning how to identify a fake $100 dollar bill vs real one.
Not every genuine $100 bill has the exact same design. The United States has issued different designs of Federal Reserve notes over the years. The redesigned $100 note that was introduced in 2013 contain the blue 3-D Security Ribbon and color-changing Bell in the Inkwell – but older $100 notes can have different security features.
The U.S. government says that all designs of US currency are legal tender, regardless of when it was issued. So an older-looking $100 bill shouldn’t necessarily be considered counterfeit just because it doesn’t look like the current design.
For older notes, the appropriate features depend on the design and series.
Why looking at only one feature isn’t enough
One of the common mistakes people make when checking currency is looking at only one feature.
For example, someone may look at the portrait and decide the bill is real because the face of Franklin looks right. But another person may look at the ink color and decide the same thing.
A better approach is combining a few checks.
The official guidance essentially boils down to three steps:
Feel. Tilt. Check light.
Feel the paper and raised printing. Tilt the bill to examine the 3-D Security Ribbon and color-shifting features. Then look at the bill to light to check the watermark and security thread.
Using several features makes the examination more reliable than simply looking at one visual feature.
What to do if I suspect a fake $100 bill
If someone believes that they have received a counterfeit $100 bill, avoid spending it elsewhere. They should instead follow the counterfeit-reporting procedure that applies to their situation. The U.S. Currency Education Program suggests people familiarize themselves with their organization’s counterfeit-reporting procedure and that this can include contacting local law enforcement or a local United States Secret Service field office. Businesses and other financial institutions may also have their procedures for dealing with suspected counterfeit currency. Avoid putting oneself in danger when one suspects someone of passing counterfeit money.
Final Thoughts on Fake $100 Dollar Bill vs Real
Knowing the difference between a fake $100 dollar bill vs real currency does not require specialized equipment in many everyday situations. The current $100 note contains several features that can be checked relatively quickly. Start with the most recognizable features: the blue 3-D Security Ribbon, the color-shifting Bell in the Inkwell, and the color-shifting 100. Hold the bill to light to examine the Franklin watermark and security thread. And finish by feeling the paper and raised printing and, when necessary, examine the microprinting. The most important lesson is not to judge a $100 bill based on its appearance. Genuine currency is designed to have multiple authentication features and using several of them together can make for a much more meaningful comparison. For the most up-to-date guidance, the U.S. Currency Education Program offers official guides and training materials showing the security features of current and older US currency designs.
