How to Identify a Fake $100 Bill: Key Features to Check

Name: How to Identify a Fake $100 Bill: Key Features to Check
Uploaded: 2026-07-09T00:00:00Z
Duration: 38 s
Description: Learn how to spot a fake $100 bill by checking texture, color-shifting ink, security threads, holograms, and counterfeit pen tests.

Learn how to spot a fake $100 bill by checking texture, color-shifting ink, security threads, holograms, and counterfeit pen tests.

Published Jul 9, 2026

Video transcript

A fake $100 bill may have several tell-tale signs. Check the texture; real bills have a distinct feel. Look for color-shifting ink on the numeral 100 in the lower right corner. Examine the security thread embedded in the bill; it should glow pink under UV light. Inspect the holographic strip and the watermark of Benjamin Franklin's portrait. Lastly, use a counterfeit pen which should turn yellow on real bills but dark on fakes.

Questions and answers

What are the most common signs of a fake $100 bill?
Common signs include incorrect texture, absence of color-shifting ink, missing or incorrect security threads, lack of holographic strips, and counterfeit pen marks that turn dark instead of yellow.
How does the counterfeit pen test work on US bills?
A counterfeit pen contains iodine that reacts with starch found in ordinary paper; it turns yellow or light on genuine US bills made from cotton fibers, but dark on fake bills printed on standard paper.
What security features are unique to the $100 bill?
Unique security features include color-shifting ink on the numeral 100, a security thread that glows pink under UV light, a watermark of Benjamin Franklin’s portrait, and a holographic strip.
Can a counterfeit $100 bill pass a UV light test?
Most genuine $100 bills have a security thread that glows pink under UV light; counterfeit bills often lack this feature or show incorrect coloring when exposed to UV light.