Have you heard about the disappearing bell in the inkwell? Or the ghostly image of Benjamin Franklin visible only in bright light?  Those are just two of the new security features in the new $100 bill that the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank will introduce on Tuesday, October 8, 2013.


The new bills, while retaining familiar features in terms of size, color and artwork unchanged since being introduced in the 1920's, incorporate several new innovations designed to help people identify the new currency while making it much more difficult for counterfeiters to duplicate.


Foremost among the enhanced features are a blue, 3-D security ribbon running vertically just to the right of the center of the bill.  The ribbon contains images of bells and the number "100" that shift locations as the bill is moved.


To the right of Benjamin Franklin's familiar portrait in the center of the bill is an inkwell that changes color from copper to green as the bill is moved, making the image of a bell appear and disappear inside the inkwell.


Finally, the founding father assists with two additional security features: his image appears on the right side of the bill when held under bright light and the words "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" appear in tiny print on his collar in the portrait in the center of the bill.


The Federal Reserve has produced several brochures and posters introducing the new currency to assist the public in recognizing the bills. The materials can also assist you in familiarizing your staff with the new currency.newmoney.gov/education_resources/download.

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