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The American Bankers Association is circulating information on the new $100 notes issued in March 1996. Printed flyers suggest looking for the following features to avoid counterfeits.
- Color-shifting ink. Tilt the front of the bill back and forth to see the color on the numeral on the lower right corner change from a distinct green to black and back again.
- Watermark: Hold the bill up to a light source to see the watermark in the blank space to the right of the portrait. Because the watermark is IN the paper, not printed on it, the watermark looks the same from the reverse side.
- Security thread: Verify the presence of a thin strip running from top to bottom to the left of the portrait on newly designed bills. It is a strip of plastic actually embedded in, not printed on, the paper. It is visible only when you hold the bill up to a light source, and you can see “USA” plus numerals on the thread from both sides of the note. The thread glows under ultraviolet light.
- Concentric fine lines. Look at the very fine lines behind the portrait. Then turn the note over to be certain that the lines on both sides are clear Q not splotchy, wavy or composed of multi-colored dots.
- Microprinting. Examine under a magnifier the portrait and the security thread to see the very small words “USA” plus a numeral or “The United States of America.”
- Comparison. Check the note against currency you know to be authentic and look for differences in the features above as well as in the texture of the paper, which should have a familiar feel.
If all of these features are not present in a Series 1996 or later $100 note, the bill is counterfeit and you should:
- Keep the bill from the passer.
- Delay the passer by some excuse if possible.
- Telephone the police or US Secret Service.
- Observe the passer’s description and that of any companion or vehicle used.
- Write your initials and the date on the bill, and surrender it only to the police or the US Secret Service.
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