American hundred dollar bill - Definition and Overview

The U.S. hundred dollar bill ($100) is a denomination of United States currency. U.S. statesman, inventor, and diplomat Benjamin Franklin is currently featured on the front side of the bill, while Independence Hall is featured on the reverse side. It is the largest denomination that has been in circulation since 1946.

One-hundred dollar bills are delivered by Federal Reserve Banks in mustard-colored straps.

Usdollar100back.jpg
Back side of the 100 US dollar bill

Pre-Federal Reserve history

• 1862: The first $100 United States note was printed with an eagle on the left of the face
• 1863: A gold certificate $100 note with an eagle on the left of the face
• 1869: A new $100 note was printed with a portrait of Abraham Lincoln on the left of the face
• 1870: A new gold certificate $100 note with a portrait of Thomas Hart Benton on the left of the face
• 1878: A silver certificate $100 note with a portrait of James Monroe on the left of the face

Federal Reserve history

• 1918: Began as a large-sized note with a portrait of Benjamin Franklin on the face
• 1928: Switched to a small-sized note
• 1996: First major change in many years. Portrait is enlarged and placed off-center. Other enhancements to reduce counterfeiting introduced.
• 2005: Is expected to receive another new appearance to deter counterfeiting; this will probably include new colors

The design on the back is Independence Hall.

The $100 bill is sometimes nicknamed a C-note, from the Roman numeral and/or the first letter of the word century, although this usage is far less common today than it was in the early 20th century. It is also sometimes called a Benjamin because of the portrait.

External link

• $100.00 Denomination image gallery (http://www.currencygallery.org/denoms/100dollar.htm)