On April 21st the U.S. Treasury Department, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the United States Secret Service presented a newly designed $100 bill. The new bill which is scheduled for circulation on February 10, 2011, is complete with high-tech security features that will combat counterfeiting.
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing began an extensive redesign program in 2003, starting with the $20 bill, followed by the $50, $10, and $5 before revealing the $100 bill in late April. Currently, an estimated 6.5 billion $100 bills are in circulation and interestly is most often targeted by counterfeiters outside the country. The $20 bill is the favorite target of counterfeiters inside the country.
No worries, older design $100 bills will still be valid and accepted once the new $100 bill hits circulation next year.
Two new features included in the new $100 bill are a 3-D Security Ribbon and Bell in the Inkwell. The 3-D Security Ribbon on the front of the note shows the images of bells and 100s that change when one tilts the bill in different directions. The Bell in the Inkwell changes color from copper to green when the note is tilted. Many of the security features from the previous $100 bill will remain with the new design.