If you have ever looked closely at a U.S. $100 bill and wondered who is on the front, the answer is Benjamin Franklin. Unlike several other commonly used U.S. banknotes, the $100 bill does not feature a sitting or former U.S. president. Instead, it carries the portrait of Franklin, one of the best known figures in early American history. Franklin was a statesman, writer, inventor, scientist, publisher, diplomat, and Founding Father who played an important role in the development of the United States. The current $100 Federal Reserve Note features Franklin’s portrait on the front and a vignette of Independence Hall on the back.
The short answer to who is on the 100 dollar bill is therefore Benjamin Franklin, but there is much more to the design than his portrait. The $100 note combines Franklin’s image with historical symbols, specialized printing techniques, and several security features designed to make counterfeiting more difficult. The current design, issued from 2013 to the present, includes a blue 3 D Security Ribbon, a color shifting Bell in the Inkwell, a Franklin watermark, and an embedded security thread.
Who Is on the $100 Bill?
Benjamin Franklin is the person shown on the front of the U.S. $100 bill. He is one of the few major figures represented on U.S. currency who was not a president of the United States. Franklin lived from 1706 to 1790 and became influential in science, publishing, diplomacy, politics, and the American independence movement. His reputation extended well beyond his political career, which helps explain why his image became associated with one of the highest value Federal Reserve notes currently issued.
Franklin was also involved in some of the most important events surrounding the creation of the United States. He served as a diplomat in France during the American Revolution and helped secure French support for the American cause. He was also one of the delegates who signed the Declaration of Independence and later participated in the Constitutional Convention. His combination of scientific achievement, public service, diplomacy, and involvement in the founding era made him a particularly recognizable historical figure for U.S. currency.
The U.S. Currency Education Program identifies the $100 note’s front portrait specifically as Benjamin Franklin, while the reverse features Independence Hall.
Who Was Benjamin Franklin?
Benjamin Franklin was much more than a political figure. Born in Boston in 1706, he became a successful printer and publisher before developing a reputation as a scientist and inventor. His experiments with electricity helped make him famous internationally, while inventions and practical innovations associated with him included the lightning rod and bifocal glasses. He also established the Pennsylvania Gazette and became known for publishing Poor Richard’s Almanack.
Franklin’s public career eventually took him into colonial politics and international diplomacy. During the American Revolution, his diplomatic work in France was particularly important because France became a crucial ally of the American colonies. Franklin later participated in the Constitutional Convention and was involved in the creation of the new American government. His life connected science, business, journalism, diplomacy, and public service in a way that few historical figures could match.
That broad legacy is important when understanding his appearance on the $100 bill. His portrait does not simply represent wealth or government authority. It represents an individual associated with science, innovation, diplomacy, publishing, and the founding period of the United States.
Why Is Benjamin Franklin on the $100 Bill?
One of the most common questions following who is on the 100 dollar bill is why Benjamin Franklin appears there when he was never president. The answer is that U.S. currency has never been limited exclusively to presidents. The $100 bill is one example of the government honoring an important historical figure who made a significant contribution to the country.
Franklin’s connection to the founding of the United States makes him especially appropriate for the denomination. He was involved in diplomacy during the Revolutionary War, signed the Declaration of Independence, and helped shape the early republic. His international reputation was also significant during his lifetime, particularly because of his scientific work and diplomatic service.
The decision to place Franklin on the $100 note also distinguishes the denomination from bills such as the $1, $5, $10, $20, and $50 notes, which feature George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Alexander Hamilton, Andrew Jackson, and Ulysses S. Grant respectively. Hamilton and Franklin are particularly notable because neither served as president.
What Is on the Back of the $100 Bill?
The back of the current $100 bill features Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The building has enormous historical importance because it was the location where the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution were debated and adopted. The current design uses a vignette showing the rear of Independence Hall rather than the front view used in earlier designs.
The reverse design therefore complements Franklin’s portrait on the front. Franklin represents an important individual connected to America’s founding and diplomatic history, while Independence Hall represents a physical location associated with the creation of the United States. Together, the two sides connect a prominent historical person with one of the country’s most significant historic buildings.
The back is also carefully designed as part of the note’s overall security and identification system. The $100 denomination is displayed prominently, while the detailed engraving and fine line elements contribute to the recognizable appearance of genuine U.S. currency.
What Does the Current $100 Bill Look Like?
The current $100 bill is the design introduced in 2013. It was the first major redesign of the $100 note since the 1996 redesign and introduced several additional security features intended to make the note more difficult to counterfeit. The modern bill retains Franklin’s portrait while adding visual elements that can be checked by consumers and cash handlers.
One of the most recognizable features is the blue 3 D Security Ribbon running vertically near Franklin’s portrait. When the note is tilted, images of bells and the number 100 appear to move in different directions. Unlike a conventional printed design, the ribbon is woven into the paper itself. The note also contains a color shifting Bell in the Inkwell, where the bell changes from copper to green when the bill is tilted.
Another important feature is the color shifting numeral 100 in the lower right corner of the front. On the current design, the numeral changes from copper to green when the note is tilted. These features make the $100 bill visually distinctive while also providing practical tools for checking whether a note appears genuine.
Security Features on the $100 Bill
The current $100 bill contains several security features that can be checked without specialized equipment. The U.S. Currency Education Program recommends a simple approach based on feeling the paper, tilting the note, and checking it with light. The paper itself is made from a blend of 75% cotton and 25% linen, giving genuine Federal Reserve notes a distinctive texture.
The 3 D Security Ribbon is one of the easiest features to recognize. When you tilt the bill back and forth, bells and 100s appear to move horizontally, while tilting the note in another direction produces vertical movement. The ribbon is woven into the paper rather than simply printed on the surface. The Bell in the Inkwell is another color shifting feature, changing from copper to green as the note is tilted.
The bill also contains a Benjamin Franklin watermark. When the $100 note is held up to light, a faint image of Franklin becomes visible in the blank area to the right of the main portrait. The watermark can be seen from both sides. There is also an embedded security thread to the left of Franklin’s portrait. The thread contains the words “USA” and the number 100 in an alternating pattern and glows pink under ultraviolet light.
These features are important because they help consumers, retailers, banks, and other cash handlers identify suspicious notes. They also explain why the modern $100 bill looks considerably more technologically sophisticated than older versions.
Has Benjamin Franklin Always Been on the $100 Bill?
Benjamin Franklin has a long association with the $100 denomination, but U.S. currency designs have changed significantly over time. The modern $100 note has gone through multiple redesigns, including versions issued in 1990–1996, 1996–2013, and the current 2013 present design. The U.S. Currency Education Program provides separate information for these historical designs and their security features.
The 1996 redesign was especially important because it introduced new counterfeit deterrent technologies. Later, the 2013 redesign added the blue 3 D Security Ribbon and Bell in the Inkwell while retaining important features such as Franklin’s portrait watermark and the security thread.
Older $100 notes can therefore look different from the bills commonly seen today. Differences may include security features, printing details, portrait presentation, and other design elements. A different appearance does not automatically mean that an older $100 bill is fake.
Are Older $100 Bills Still Valid?
Yes. Older design U.S. currency remains legal tender. The U.S. Currency Education Program states that all U.S. currency remains legal tender regardless of when it was issued. This means someone who possesses an older $100 Federal Reserve Note does not automatically need to exchange it simply because a newer design is now circulating.
The government redesigns Federal Reserve notes primarily to improve security and make counterfeiting more difficult, not because previous notes suddenly stop having monetary value. Older $100 bills can therefore remain valid even though they may lack some of the advanced security features found on the current design.
For anyone handling an older $100 note, authentication should be based on the security characteristics appropriate to that particular design. The U.S. Currency Education Program provides guidance for checking older $100 notes, including features such as raised printing, watermarks, security threads, and color shifting ink.
$100 Bill Compared With Other U.S. Bills
The $100 bill stands out because it features Benjamin Franklin rather than a president. It also has some of the most recognizable security technology used on current U.S. Federal Reserve notes.
| U.S. Bill | Person on Front | Main Image on Back |
|---|---|---|
| $1 | George Washington | Great Seal of the United States |
| $5 | Abraham Lincoln | Lincoln Memorial |
| $10 | Alexander Hamilton | Treasury Building |
| $20 | Andrew Jackson | White House |
| $50 | Ulysses S. Grant | U.S. Capitol |
| $100 | Benjamin Franklin | Independence Hall |
This comparison also explains why searching for who is on the 100 dollar bill can lead to a common misconception. Franklin is not a president, but the U.S. government has historically placed several important non presidential figures on currency. Alexander Hamilton is another prominent example, appearing on the $10 bill.
The $100 note is currently the largest denomination of U.S. currency issued by the Federal Reserve.
Final Takeaway
So, who is on the 100 dollar bill? The answer is Benjamin Franklin, one of the most influential figures in early American history. His appearance on the note reflects his broad contribution to the United States through diplomacy, science, publishing, public service, and the founding era. The current $100 bill combines his portrait with Independence Hall on the reverse, creating a design centered on America’s founding history.
The modern note is also more than a historical tribute. Its blue 3 D Security Ribbon, color shifting features, Franklin watermark, security thread, and specialized paper are designed to help distinguish genuine currency from counterfeits. Because older U.S. currency remains legal tender, differences between an old $100 bill and the current design do not automatically mean that the older note is invalid.
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Frequently Asked Questions About the $100 Bill
Who is on the $100 bill?
Benjamin Franklin is on the front of the U.S. $100 bill. He was a Founding Father, scientist, inventor, publisher, diplomat, and statesman. The back of the current note features Independence Hall in Philadelphia.
Was Benjamin Franklin ever president?
No. Benjamin Franklin was never president of the United States. He was, however, an important Founding Father who contributed to American independence, diplomacy, science, and government.
Why is Benjamin Franklin on the $100 bill?
Franklin appears on the $100 bill because of his major contributions to the founding and development of the United States. His work included diplomacy, science, publishing, and participation in the country’s founding political process.
What building is on the back of the $100 bill?
The back of the current $100 bill features Independence Hall in Philadelphia. The current design depicts the rear of the building.
What year did the current $100 bill design begin?
The current design was issued beginning in 2013. It introduced features including the 3 D Security Ribbon and Bell in the Inkwell.
How can you tell if a $100 bill is real?
You can check several security features, including the 3 D Security Ribbon, color shifting numeral 100, Bell in the Inkwell, Franklin watermark, and security thread. The official guidance recommends feeling the paper, tilting the note, and checking it against light.
Are old $100 bills still worth $100?
Older U.S. currency remains legal tender regardless of when it was issued. However, collectible value can be a separate issue for unusual or historically significant notes, so a collector may value a particular old bill differently from its face value.
Is Benjamin Franklin the only non president on U.S. paper money?
No. Alexander Hamilton, who appears on the $10 bill, is another major historical figure who was never president. U.S. currency has honored influential Americans who played important roles in the country’s history.
