Benjamin Franklin is Cracking Down on Counterfeiting

It seems to be a lot easier to copy and counterfeit currency nowadays and there are constant concerns about using or being given a fake bill. The U.S Department of Treasury has recently refreshed the $100 bill, in an attempt to curb the counterfeiting epidemic that has taken over in the last few years. The new $100 bill was designed with a tighter security feature called Motion –  there are over 650,000 embedded micro-lenses which allow images to shift when the thin bill is moved. There is a blue 3D security ribbon on the front of the bill and when it is moved, the hidden images of bells and 100s switch back and forth. Other increased security features include an inkwell which turns from copper to green as the bill is moved, also making an image of the Liberty Bell appear and disappear. The bill contains phrases from the Declaration of Independence and images of the quill pen which was used to sign the famous document.

“The new security features announced today come after more than a decade of research and development to protect our currency from counterfeiting,” said Treasurer of the United States Rosie Rios.

Even though the new bill is already completed, its actual release won’t be until February 10, 2011. There are an estimated 6.5 billion older $100 bills in circulation at the moment and they will not have to be exchanged for the new version. [Source: Techvert & CoinNews]