Have you ever been handed a $100 bill and wondered, “Is this real?” You’re not alone. Counterfeit money is more common than most people realize, especially with high-value bills like the $100 note.
Knowing how to identify a fake $100 bill is a practical skill that can save you from losing your hard-earned money. Whether you’re a small business owner, a cashier, or just someone who occasionally handles large amounts of cash, this article is for you.
Why Counterfeit $100 Bills Are a Big Problem
The $100 bill is the most widely circulated U.S. currency outside the country—and a favorite target for counterfeiters. Fake bills can be surprisingly realistic, but there are several features that scammers simply can’t duplicate perfectly.
Let’s walk through the key signs you should check when inspecting a $100 bill.
1. Check the Bill’s Texture
The first thing you should do is feel the paper.
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Genuine U.S. currency is printed on a special cotton-linen blend that has a distinct texture.
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Real bills feel slightly rough and durable, while fake bills may feel thin, smooth, or overly stiff.
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Try rubbing the shoulder of Benjamin Franklin on the front—it should have raised ink you can feel.
👉 If it feels “off,” it probably is.
2. Look for the Watermark
Hold the bill up to a light source.
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You should see a faint image of Franklin to the right of the main portrait.
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The watermark is embedded in the paper, not printed on top.
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You’ll be able to see it from both sides of the bill.
🕵️ If you don’t see a watermark, or if it’s on the wrong side, the bill is likely fake.
3. Inspect the Blue Security Ribbon
New $100 bills include a 3D blue ribbon woven into the paper.
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It runs vertically to the right of Franklin’s portrait.
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When you tilt the bill, bells and “100”s shift in appearance and move.
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The ribbon is not printed—you should be able to see that it’s woven into the bill.
💡 If the ribbon doesn’t move or looks printed, it’s not genuine.
4. Watch the Color-Shift Ink
At the lower-right corner of the front, the number 100 is printed in color-shifting ink.
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Tilt the bill side to side.
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It should change from copper to green.
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This feature is easy to check and very hard to fake.
🎨 No color change = counterfeit alert.
5. Check the Security Thread
All real $100 bills include a thin security thread embedded in the paper.
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Hold the bill up to light and look for the thread to the left of Franklin’s portrait.
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It should say “USA 100” repeatedly along the strip.
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Under UV light (black light), the strip glows pink.
🔦 No thread or the wrong glow? It’s a fake.
6. Examine the Serial Numbers
Serial numbers are printed in green and located in two spots.
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They should match exactly and be perfectly aligned.
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The font and spacing should be consistent.
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If the numbers are off-center, blurry, or identical to another bill you have, it’s probably a counterfeit.
🧮 Tip: Compare a suspicious bill with a known real one side-by-side.
7. Check for Microprinting
Microprinting is incredibly small text that’s hard to reproduce without high-tech equipment.
Look closely (or use a magnifier) around:
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Franklin’s collar
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The quill
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The gold inkwell
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The borders and edges of the bill
🧐 If the tiny letters are missing, fuzzy, or unreadable, the bill may not be authentic.
Bonus: Use a Counterfeit Detector Pen (Optional)
A counterfeit detection pen can help—but it’s not foolproof.
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Mark the bill with the pen.
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A light or yellow mark means the paper is real.
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A dark mark means the paper is likely fake.
🖊️ Keep in mind: some fakes are made using real currency paper from smaller denominations.
Final Thoughts: Trust but Verify
No one wants to be stuck with a fake $100 bill. The good news is, you don’t need expensive equipment to check a bill—you just need a few seconds and a good eye. Always trust your instincts and double-check when something doesn’t feel right.
✅ Feel the texture
✅ Use the light test
✅ Check for color-shift, ribbons, and threads
✅ Inspect serial numbers and microprinting
The more familiar you are with real bills, the faster you’ll spot a fake.
