How to Identify a Fake $100 Bill: Key Features to Check
Learn how to spot a fake $100 bill by checking texture, color-shifting ink, security threads, holograms, and counterfeit pen tests.
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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.
FAQs & 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.