On the 8th October 2013, the US Federal Reserve issued the latest version of the $100 dollar banknote.
The note contains several new security features, including Motion™ thread and a colour changing/ optically variable ink.
Other features include:
- Watermark of Benjamin Franklin
- Embedded security thread which glows pink under Ultraviolet (UV) light
- Colour shifting “100” on the front of the note, shifting between copper and green
- Raised printing from an enhanced intaglio printing process
- Large “100” in gold on the reverse of the note, to assist those with visual impairments
- Mircoprinting
It has taken over 10 years of research and development by both the US Secret Service and the Department of Treasury – and a 2 year delay due to production issues – to create the new banknote, utilising new technology in order to combat counterfeits. US authorities state that the $100 bill is the most counterfeited note of the US series, and estimates that of the $1.1 trillion (£683 billion) US money in circulation, less than 0.01% accounts for counterfeits notes. It also states that approximately $80.7 million counterfeit currency was used within the United States in 2012, and $14.5 million in other countries.
The new $100 is the bill’s first redesign since 1996.
Source: NewMoney.gov
Images courtesy of: NewMoney.gov
