Who is on the 100 dollar bill? (2024)

Have you ever pulled out a crisp Benjamin from your wallet and pondered, "Who is this distinguished figure on the $100 bill?" Let's embark on a fun educational journey to uncover the answer.

Meet Benjamin Franklin

The face on your $100 bill is none other than Benjamin Franklin, a Founding Father of the United States. Celebrated for his contributions to science, politics, and philosophy, Franklin's legacy continues to be revered centuries later.

Franklin embodies core American ideals like hard work, innovation, and self-improvement. His life story is a testament to the notion that anyone can achieve great things with dedication and persistence.

Franklin started out as a printer's apprentice and eventually became one of the most influential figures in American history. His journey from humble beginnings to extraordinary achievements often represents the American Dream, making him an ideal face for the $100 bill.

Why Benjamin Franklin?

Benjamin Franklin's appearance on the $100 bill is no coincidence. His significant role in shaping U.S. history and his representation of American ideals, like hard work and ingenuity, made him an exemplary choice.

Benjamin Franklin wasn't just a politician but a man of many talents and interests. He was an inventor, a scientist, a philosopher, and even a writer. His ingenuity gave us inventions like the lightning rod, bifocal glasses, and the Franklin stove. He also made significant contributions to our understanding of electricity. His work ethic and curiosity were legendary, as is his impact on American history.

The evolution of the 100 dollar bill

Benjamin Franklin has adorned the 100 dollar bill since 1914, but the bill's design has evolved. The latest version, released in 2013, includes advanced security features designed to outsmart counterfeiters. These include a blue 3D security ribbon and a color-changing bell inside an inkwell. But despite these changes, one thing remains constant: the presence of Benjamin Franklin, a testament to his enduring impact on our nation.

FAQs about the 100 dollar bill

Q: Is the $100 bill still in circulation?

A: Yes, it's one of the most prevalent bills in the U.S.

Q: Can I use a $100 bill for purchases anywhere?

A: While widely accepted, some businesses may not accept large denomination bills. It's advisable to check their policy.

Q: Is there a limit to how many $100 bills I can possess?

A: No, there is no limit to the number of 100 dollar bills a person can possess in the US. However, certain transactions involving large sums of cash may require documentation and reporting to comply with anti-money laundering laws.

Q: What material is the $100 bill made from?

A: The 100 dollar bill, like all U.S. currency, is made from a blend of 75% cotton and 25% linen. This makes the currency durable and gives it a unique feel.

Q: Why is there a blue stripe on the $100 bill?

A: The blue stripe is a security feature introduced in the 2013 redesign. It's a 3D security ribbon that shows the Liberty Bell and the number 100 shifting when the bill is tilted.

Q: Why is Benjamin Franklin facing right on the $100 bill?

A: There's no definitive answer, but the U.S. Treasury states that the direction a figure faces is determined purely by the aesthetics of the overall design.

Q: Why isn't there a President on the $100 bill?

A: While many U.S. bills feature presidents, there's no rule that they have to. Benjamin Franklin was chosen due to his significant contributions to American history.

Q: What does the phrase "In God We Trust" signify on the $100 bill?

A: "In God We Trust" is the official motto of the United States. It was added to coins during the Civil War but didn’t appear on paper money until 1957.

Q: How many $100 bills are printed each day?

A: According to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, approximately 38 million bills are printed daily, and about 8% of those are $100 bills.

Q: How many $100 bills are currently in circulation?

A: As of 2021, there are over 14.5 billion $100 bills in circulation, making it the most widely circulated bill worldwide.

Now that you know who is on the $100 bill, use this knowledge to impress your friends and family. And next time you come across a Benjamin, take a moment to appreciate the legacy of Benjamin Franklin and the significance of this iconic bill.

Want more tips and tricks to raise smart decision-makers? Visit Greenlight Learning Center for helpful resources on all things family, parenting, finance, and fun.

Who is on the 100 dollar bill? (2024)

FAQs

Who is the person on the 100 dollar bill? ›

The $100 note features a portrait of Benjamin Franklin on the front of the note. The vignette on the back of the note changed in 1929 to feature Independence Hall.

Who should be on the $100 dollar bill? ›

The face on your $100 bill is none other than Benjamin Franklin, a Founding Father of the United States. Celebrated for his contributions to science, politics, and philosophy, Franklin's legacy continues to be revered centuries later.

What President is on the new $100 bill? ›

There are several good reasons why Benjamin Franklin's portrait is in the highest US bill denomination . So important was Benjamin Franklin that his portrait is on 17.7 billion $100 notes in circulation as of December 2021 according to the Federal Reserve.

Who's on a $50 bill and who's on $100 bill? ›

We have George Washington on the $1 bill, Thomas Jefferson on the $2 bill, Abraham Lincoln on the $5, Andrew Jackson on the $20, and Ulysses S. Grant on the $50. Alexander Hamilton and Ben Franklin were never presidents, but they are featured on the $10 and $100 bill, respectively.

Who's on the $500 bill? ›

$500 Bill: William McKinley

President William McKinley's face appears on the $500 bill, which is no longer in circulation. The $500 bill dates to 1918 when ​Chief Justice John Marshall's face initially appeared on the denomination. The Fed and Treasury discontinued the $500 bill in 1969 for lack of use.

Who owns the $100,000 dollar bill? ›

The bill, outside of the federal government, may only be used for educational purposes, particularly in museums for public viewing. The Smithsonian Museum along with the Federal Reserve System are known to have one hundred-thousand-dollar bills in their ownership.

What is the slang for a $100 bill? ›

"C-note" is used less frequently in contemporary slang, and it has been replaced by "Benjamin." This term comes from Benjamin Franklin, one of the founding fathers of the U.S., whose portrait is on the front of the $100 banknote. Other slang terms for a $100 bill are, therefore, "Franklins" and "Bens."

Who is on the $2 bill? ›

The $2 note features a portrait of Thomas Jefferson on the front of the note and a vignette depicting the signing of the Declaration of Independence on the back of the note.

Who is on the $1 bill? ›

The $1 note features a portrait of George Washington on the front of the note and an image of the Great Seal of the United States on the back of the note.

Who's on the $1000 bill? ›

The original $1,000 bill featured Alexander Hamilton on the front. When someone presumably realized that it might be confusing to have the same former Secretary of the Treasury on multiple denominations, Hamilton's portrait was replaced with that of a president—the 22nd and 24th, Grover Cleveland.

How to tell if a $2 bill is real? ›

Make sure that the serial numbers on a bill match, and look at them carefully. Fake bills may have serial numbers that are not evenly spaced or that are not perfectly aligned in a row. If you received multiple suspicious bills, see if the serial numbers are the same on both bills.

Who designed the $100 bill? ›

Brian Thompson was given one of the most important tasks that anyone at the Bureau of Engraving could undertake — taking the lead on designing the new $100 bill. The new sleek $100 bills were released by the U.S. Federal Reserve on October 8, 2013.

Who's on the 1 million dollar bill? ›

The United States has never issued a million dollar bill.

Who is on the $10? ›

The obverse of the bill features the portrait of Alexander Hamilton, who served as the first U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, two renditions of the torch of the Statue of Liberty (Liberty Enlightening the World), and the words "We the People" from the original engrossed preamble of the United States Constitution.

Who's on the 20? ›

The United States twenty-dollar bill (US$20) is a denomination of U.S. currency. A portrait of Andrew Jackson, the seventh U.S. president (1829–1837), has been featured on the obverse of the bill since 1928; the White House is featured on the reverse.

Who was on the $200 bill? ›

Keep in mind that the U.S. has never produced a $200 bill. Also - living presidents are never depicted on currency.

Who is on the $10 bill? ›

The obverse of the bill features the portrait of Alexander Hamilton, who served as the first U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, two renditions of the torch of the Statue of Liberty (Liberty Enlightening the World), and the words "We the People" from the original engrossed preamble of the United States Constitution.

Who is the person on the 5000 dollar bill? ›

James Madison was the fourth U.S. president and is often referred to as the “Father of the Constitution” because of his role in writing America's founding documents. His portrait has been featured on the 5,000 dollar denominations of multiple series of U.S. notes.

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