What You Don’t Know About the New $100 Bill

A new $100 bill is on the way. As evidenced by the first issue (not sure how many are coming) of the $100 BankNote e-newsletter, it’s not a simple process.

Security procedures are the primary reason for the lengthy introduction. A 3-D security ribbon with colors, bells and more is part of that mix, but I was more intrigued by some of the trivia elements. Among the facts:

  • The bill features Benjamin Franklin’s portrait on the front and a new image of the back of Philadelphia’s Independence Hall on the back
  • There are also phrases from the Declaration of Independence and a quill pen similar to the one used to sign that document
  • Some bills will have a small FW in the corner, which means they were printed at the Western Currency Facility in Fort Worth, Texas. No "FW" means it was printed at the Eastern Currency Facility in Washington, D.C.
  • Finally, U.S. currency is made of three-fourths cotton and one-fourth linen

The new $100 debut: February 10, 2011.