Which President Is on the 100 Dollar Bill? The Real Story Behind Benjamin Franklin's Portrait

Benjamin Franklin is featured on the $100 bill, but he was actually never a U.S. President. Franklin is one of only two non-presidents depicted on currently circulating U.S. paper currency (alongside Alexander Hamilton on the $10 bill). The U.S. Department of the Treasury selected Franklin for his historic contributions as a Founding Father, scientist, diplomat, and statesman.

Why Benjamin Franklin Is on the $100 Bill (Despite Not Being President)

The presence of Benjamin Franklin on the highest-denomination bill in active circulation often leads to the mistaken assumption that he served as President of the United States. While he held many vital leadership titles—including President of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania—he never held the office of President of the United States (POTUS).

The U.S. Department of the Treasury chose Franklin to grace the $100 Federal Reserve Note because of his transformative role in shaping the nation's financial, diplomatic, and political foundations.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN (1706–1790)

• Drafted & signed the Declaration of Independence (1776)
• Secured French alliance & military aid during Revolution
• Negotiated Treaty of Paris ending Revolutionary War (1783)
• Signed the U.S. Constitution (1787)
• Served as first Postmaster General of the United States
• Pioneered early American printing, journalism & science

(Concept representation: Key historic milestones of Benjamin Franklin)

Treasury Criteria for Currency Portraits

Under U.S. law—specifically Title 31, Section 5114 of the United States Code—the Secretary of the Treasury determines the designs, portraits, and security features featured on U.S. currency notes. The primary criteria established by the Treasury Department state that portraits must represent deceased individuals whose historic accomplishments left an indelible mark on the political, economic, or scientific development of the nation.

Franklin's legacy aligned perfectly with these criteria:

• Architect of American Independence: Franklin is the only Founding Father to have signed all four major documents that established the United States: the Declaration of Independence (1776), the Treaty of Alliance with France (1778), the Treaty of Paris (1783), and the United States Constitution (1787).
• Pioneer of American Economy & Industry: Beyond politics, Franklin established Philadelphia's first successful printing businesses, founded the municipal postal system, organized early fire brigades, and conducted groundbreaking electrical experiments that earned international respect for American innovation.
• Symbol of Fiscal Responsibility: Franklin’s writings in Poor Richard's Almanack—including famous maxims such as "A penny saved is two pence clear"—promoted frugality, industriousness, and sound personal financial management, making his image a fitting symbol for high-denomination currency.

Who Is on Every U.S. Dollar Denomination?

To clarify which historic figures appear on U.S. paper currency, the Treasury Department maintains a consistent portrait lineup across all standard Federal Reserve Notes. While most bills feature former U.S. Presidents, two prominent non-presidents occupy key denominations.

*Note: High-denomination bills ($500 through $10,000) were officially discontinued by the Federal Reserve and the Department of the Treasury in July 1969 due to declining usage and anti-money laundering concerns. They remain legal tender, though their numismatic value far exceeds face value.

History and Evolution of the $100 Bill Portrait

The $100 bill has not always featured Benjamin Franklin. Before the standardization of Federal Reserve Notes in the early 20th century, the United States issued various forms of paper money, including Treasury Notes, Interest-Bearing Notes, and Legal Tender Notes (commonly called "Greenbacks").

1. 1862–1891: Early Treasury Issues
   • 1862: First $100 Legal Tender Note features Admiral David Farragut
   • 1863: Interest-Bearing Notes feature Abraham Lincoln
   • 1890: Treasury "Coin Notes" feature statesman Thomas Hart Benton
2. 1914: Modern Federal Reserve Note Standardized
   • Benjamin Franklin selected as permanent portrait subject
   • Large-size notes issued across all 12 Federal Reserve Districts
3. 1928–Present: Design & Security Revisions
   • 1928: Small-size currency standard introduced
   • 1996: Enlarged off-center portrait with watermark added
   • 2013–2026: NextGen $100 Note with 3D Security Ribbon & Bell in Inkwell

Pre-1914 Portraits on $100 Notes

During the 19th century, paper currency was issued under different legal frameworks, featuring several prominent figures before Franklin was standardized on the $100 note:

1. 1862 Legal Tender Notes: Featured Vignette of America and a portrait of David Farragut, the heroic Union Navy Admiral during the Civil War.
2. 1863 Interest-Bearing Notes: Featured Abraham Lincoln during his presidency.
3. 1880 Legal Tender Notes: Depicted James Monroe, fifth President of the United States.
4. 1890 Treasury Notes: Featured Thomas Hart Benton, influential U.S. Senator and proponent of westward expansion.

The 1914 Federal Reserve Act Standardization

When the Federal Reserve System began issuing paper currency in 1914, the Treasury Department overhauled currency design to create unified, standardized imagery for each denomination. Benjamin Franklin was assigned to the $100 bill, while George Washington took the $1 bill, Abraham Lincoln the $5 bill, Alexander Hamilton the $10 bill, Andrew Jackson the $20 bill, and Ulysses S. Grant the $50 bill.

Major Redesigns of the Franklin $100 Bill

1928 Series (Small-Size Notes) In 1928, the Treasury reduced the physical size of paper currency by approximately 30 percent to save printing costs and streamline handling. The portrait of Benjamin Franklin was standardized in an oval frame on the front, with an engraving of Independence Hall in Philadelphia on the reverse side.

1996 Series (Enhanced Security) To combat emerging digital counterfeiting, the Treasury introduced the Series 1996 $100 note. Key updates included an enlarged, off-center portrait of Franklin, a localized watermark visible under light, microprinting, and color-shifting ink on the lower-right numeral "100".

2013 to Present Series (NextGen $100 Note) The current $100 bill design entered circulation in October 2013 and remains the standard design produced by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP). It incorporates advanced multi-layered anti-counterfeiting features, including the woven 3D Security Ribbon and the dynamic "Bell in the Inkwell."

Security Features of the Modern $100 Federal Reserve Note

Because the $100 note is the highest denomination in active circulation and one of the most widely circulated currencies globally, it features sophisticated security measures designed by the U.S. Secret Service, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, and the Federal Reserve.

• THE MODERN $100 NOTE
  • [3D Ribbon]: Woven blue 3D movement
  • [Franklin Watermark]: Visible from both sides in light
  • [Bell in Inkwell]: Copper-to-green color shift
  • [Color Shift]: Numeral 100 changes color

1. 3D Security Ribbon

Woven directly into the paper substrate (not printed on top), this blue ribbon features micro-images of bells and the numeral "100". When you tilt the bill back and forth, the bells and 100s move side to side. When you tilt the bill side to side, they move up and down.

2. Bell in the Inkwell

Located to the right of Franklin's portrait is a copper-colored inkwell containing a metallic bell design. As you tilt the note, the bell shifts color from copper to vibrant green, making the bell appear to vanish and reappear within the inkwell.

3. Watermark

Hold the bill up to a light source to reveal a faint, secondary portrait image of Benjamin Franklin in the blank space to the right of the primary portrait. The image is visible from both sides of the paper because it is embedded into the paper fibers during manufacturing.

4. Color-Shifting Numeral

The large "100" numeral in the lower right corner on the front of the note changes color from copper to green when tilted, utilizing optical variable ink technology.

5. Raised Printing (Intaglio)

Moving your fingers across Franklin's shoulder reveals a rough texture characteristic of deep intaglio engraving. Genuine Federal Reserve Notes are printed using high-pressure presses that embed distinct tactile ridges into the cotton-linen blend paper.

6. Microprinting

Precision microscopic text is embedded in multiple locations across the note:

• "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" along Benjamin Franklin's jacket collar.
• "USA 100" along the border of the blank space containing the watermark.
• "ONE HUNDRED USA" along the golden quill pen next to the inkwell.
• "100" repeated along the note borders.

Summary of Anti-Counterfeiting Verification Steps

Common Misconceptions About U.S. Money Portraits

Misconception 1: "Every person featured on U.S. bills was a President."

This is the most widespread currency myth. Neither Benjamin Franklin ($100 bill) nor Alexander Hamilton ($10 bill) ever served as President. Hamilton was the first Secretary of the Treasury and an author of the Federalist Papers, while Franklin was a diplomat, inventor, and signer of the Constitution. Additionally, non-presidents like Salmon P. Chase ($10,000 note) and Susan B. Anthony / Sacagawea (dollar coins) have appeared on official U.S. currency.

Misconception 2: "A living person can be put on paper money."

Federal legislation explicitly prohibits depicting living individuals on U.S. currency. Under 31 U.S.C. § 5114(b), only deceased figures can be portrayed on standard security notes, coins, or paper legal tender issued by the U.S. government.

Misconception 3: "Franklin was President of the State of Pennsylvania, so he was a U.S. President."

From 1785 to 1788, Franklin served as the President of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania, a title equivalent to the modern Governor of Pennsylvania. While the title included the word "President," it was a state-level executive position under Pennsylvania's 1776 state constitution, not the chief executive of the United States.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which president is on the 100 dollar bill?

No president is on the $100 bill. The portrait on the $100 bill is of Benjamin Franklin, who was a Founding Father, diplomat, inventor, and scientist, but never served as President of the United States.

Franklin was selected by the U.S. Department of the Treasury for his immense contributions to American independence, science, printing, and diplomacy. The only other non-president on currently circulating U.S. paper money is Alexander Hamilton on the $10 bill.

Who are the non-presidents on U.S. paper money?

The two non-presidents currently featured on circulating U.S. paper money are Alexander Hamilton on the $10 bill and Benjamin Franklin on the $100 bill. Historically, other non-presidents have appeared on discontinued notes, such as Treasury Secretary Salmon P. Chase on the $10,000 bill and Civil War Admiral David Farragut on early $100 Treasury notes.

Why was Benjamin Franklin chosen for the highest circulating bill?

Benjamin Franklin was chosen for the $100 bill due to his foundational role in establishing the United States, his international renown as a scientist and diplomat, and his embodiment of financial frugality. As a printer and author, Franklin wrote extensively on sound economic principles, making his image symbolic of high-value American currency.

Who was on the original $100 bill before Benjamin Franklin?

Before Benjamin Franklin was standardized on the Federal Reserve $100 note in 1914, early U.S. paper currency featured several historic figures, including Union Navy Admiral David Farragut (1862 Legal Tender Note), President Abraham Lincoln (1863 Interest-Bearing Note), and President James Monroe (1880 Legal Tender Note).

Is an older $100 bill with Benjamin Franklin still legal tender?

Yes, all series of U.S. paper currency issued since 1861 remain legal tender at full face value under Federal law. Regardless of whether a $100 note was printed in 1928, 1990, or 2013, it can be redeemed at banks and used for all public and private debts. However, older notes in pristine condition may have additional numismatic value to collectors.

Summary & Verification Guidelines

When accepting or verifying $100 notes in commerce, remember that Benjamin Franklin has remained the constant face of the denomination since 1914. While he never held the presidency, his historic standing as an architect of American independence makes him one of the most recognizable figures in global finance.

To ensure authenticity when handling modern $100 bills, always verify the 3D blue ribbon, the color-shifting Bell in the Inkwell, the raised intaglio print, and the embedded watermark under illuminated light.