It’s the most commonly hoarded denomination in the world, a favorite of international criminals and grandpas stuffing birthday cards (if you're lucky). It's the U.S. $100 bill!
The $100 bill has a surprisingly long history. First issued in 1862 during the chaos of the American Civil War, the bill has changed its design, materials, and even its security features multiple times, though one thing’s remained constant: it always packs a punch in the wallet. Much more of one in the past, but even now $100 is always a welcome sight.
Let's take quick look at each major version of the $100 bill, along with a modern-day inflation adjustment to give some perspective.
History of the One-Hundred
1862: The First $100 Legal Tender Note
- Nickname: “Greenback”
- Bald eagle and abstract design on the front
- A mostly solid green pattern, hence the nickname.
Inflation-adjusted value: About $3,400 in 2025 dollars.
Yes, you read that right. $3400 dollars! It was basically a month's wage of a middle class worker at the time. Needless to say, it did not see that much use, at least not among anyone not upper class. That was just too much money to carry with you and risk losing or having stolen.
The original $100 note was issued by the U.S. Treasury in 1862 to help finance the Civil War. It wasn’t backed by gold or silver — just the government’s promise to pay. Yes — decades before the gold standard officially ended — we already had fiat money.
1869: “Rainbow Note”
- Abraham Lincoln enters the design
- More color, hence the “Rainbow” nickname (which other denominations at the time shared)
The 1869 series added Lincoln and added some color. Still legal tender today, though good luck finding one outside a museum or a serious collector’s vault.
Inflation-adjusted value: About the same as the previous — around $3,400.
1914: Federal Reserve Note Introduction
- Benjamin Franklin joins the party
- Decorative allegorical figures on the back
With the creation of the Federal Reserve in 1913, the modern central banking system kicked in. The 1914 version of the $100 bill was among the first “Federal Reserve Notes.” Franklin took center stage, and he's stayed there ever since. Meanwhile the back featured allegorical figures representing labor, plenty, America, peace, and commerce.
The fact that old Ben is pictured in profile on this bill makes it stand out more against the portraits that followed on future versions of the bill.
Inflation-adjusted value: Around $3,000.
1929: Small Size Bills
- Size shrinks to today’s dimensions (6.14 x 2.61 inches)
- More uniform design across all denominations
A major redesign, prompted by the Treasury’s desire to cut costs. The large-size bills were phased out. The lofty design of the back side was simplified and replaced with a simple image of Independence Hall. This is the look that most Americans would begin to recognize.
These still carried the phrase “redeemable in gold on demand,” but the gold standard days were numbered. By 1934, that wording was removed.
Inflation-adjusted value: Around $1,900.
1966–1969: Redesigns and Color Seals
- You’ll see red and blue seals depending on type
- Still Franklin, but starting to look cleaner
The treasury seal switched from Latin to English and the motto "In God we trust" was added on the back.
Inflation-adjusted value: about $850.
Man... that started losing value quickly!
1990: Security Features Begin
- Microprinting, metallic security strip, watermarks
- Franklin’s hair gets cleaned up a bit
This era marked the beginning of high-tech anti-counterfeiting. These bills still looked more or less the same as the previous design, just with the security features.
Inflation-adjusted value: about $245.
1996: Big-Head Franklin
- Change: Franklin’s portrait gets supersized
- Security: Color-shifting ink, watermark, security thread with USA 100
The 1996 redesign was the most dramatic change in decades. People hated it at first — I remember people complaining that it was too flashy, too cartoonish and that the elegance of the former design was missed. Looking back, it's not bad, but the design that followed is better.
Inflation-adjusted value: about $200.
2013: The Blue Strip “New $100”
- 3D security ribbon, color background, inkwell and quill, watermark, gold “100”
This is the current version in your wallet (if you’re lucky). First issued in October 2013, it’s arguably the most secure bill in circulation today. Franklin stays, but now with a sharper coat, holographic stripes, and the border around his portrait is gone. While the security strip is ugly, the borderless Franklin is an improvement and the background is a nice touch.
Inflation-adjusted value: about $135.
Final Thoughts
That first $100 note in 1862 packed the equivalent of a small fortune. Now, a hundred bucks is enough for a decent grocery run or a tank of gas. The bill hasn’t changed all that often, but its power certainly has.
So next time you see ol’ Ben Franklin peeking out from your wallet, remember: he’s been there a long time, and he’s seen a lot of inflation.
Of course the comparison isn't entirely accurate (since collectors pay a lot more than the inflation-adjusted values for the older bills in this post), this is just another reminder that cash is a poor long-term store of value and precious metal s— or at least something like stocks or bonds — are much superior for preserving wealth.