When did 100-dollar bills get security strips? The 100-dollar bill is one of the most counterfeited banknotes in the United States. To combat counterfeiting, the U.S. Treasury has added various security features over the years, including a security strip.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: The first 100-dollar bills with security strips were issued in 1990.
In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at the history behind the counterfeiting of 100-dollar bills and the introduction of security strips to combat it. We’ll cover topics like:
Counterfeiting Before 1990
Counterfeiting has been a persistent issue throughout the history of currency. Before the introduction of security strips on 100-dollar bills, counterfeiters found various ways to replicate the currency and deceive unsuspecting individuals and businesses.
Early counterfeiting problems
In the early days of currency, counterfeiting was a widespread problem. Counterfeiters would manually reproduce bills, often using simple printing techniques. These counterfeit bills were sometimes difficult to detect, as they closely resembled genuine currency.
Lack of security features
One of the main reasons counterfeiting was rampant before 1990 was the lack of advanced security features on the currency. Before the introduction of security strips, bills did not have many visible indicators of authenticity, making it easier for counterfeiters to pass off fake bills as genuine.
Growth of counterfeiting in the 1970s and 80s
The 1970s and 80s saw a significant increase in counterfeiting activities. Counterfeiters became more sophisticated in their methods, using advanced printing techniques to produce high-quality counterfeit bills.
This surge in counterfeiting prompted authorities to take action and implement more stringent security measures.
For more information on the history of counterfeiting and the introduction of security features on currency, you can visit the website of the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing.
Development of the Security Strip
The incorporation of a security strip into 100-dollar bills was a significant milestone in the evolution of currency security. This small but powerful feature has played a crucial role in deterring counterfeiting and protecting the integrity of the U.S. dollar.
Let’s delve into the fascinating history of how the security strip came to be.
Inspiration from £20 note
The inspiration for the security strip on $100 bills came from the £20 note from the Bank of England. The Bank introduced a security strip in their currency in the early 1980s as a means to combat counterfeiting.
The success of this feature in minimizing counterfeit incidents prompted the United States to explore similar measures for its currency.
Recognizing the effectiveness of the security strip in the £20 note, the U.S. Department of the Treasury began researching and developing a comparable security feature for the $100 bill. They aimed to create a unique and distinct strip that would be difficult for counterfeiters to replicate.
Testing and approval
The development process of the security strip involved extensive testing and collaboration between various government agencies and private security experts. The strip had to meet stringent criteria in terms of durability, visibility, and resistance to tampering.
After several iterations and rigorous evaluations, a security strip design was finally approved for implementation on the $100 bill. This strip contained a thin polyester film embedded with a repeating pattern of microprinted text.
The use of microprinting, a technique that involves printing extremely small text that is difficult to reproduce accurately, added an extra layer of security to the strip.
Public education campaign
Once the security strip was integrated into $100 bills, the U.S. government launched a widespread public education campaign to inform people about this new security feature. The campaign aimed to raise awareness among the public and businesses about the strip’s presence and significance.
Public education materials, including brochures and online resources, were distributed to banks, retail establishments, and law enforcement agencies. These materials explained how to identify the security strip and emphasized its role in authenticating genuine $100 bills.
The campaign helped familiarize the public with the security strip and encouraged individuals to check for its presence when handling cash transactions.
Rollout of New $100 Bills Starting 1990
The introduction of security strips on $100 bills began in 1990 with the release of the Series 1990 $100 bills. This marked a significant step forward in the fight against counterfeiting. Before this, counterfeiters had found ways to replicate the security features on older versions of the bill, making it difficult for the average person to detect a fake.
Series 1990 $100 bills enter circulation
The Series 1990 $100 bills were the first to include security strips as part of their design. These strips were embedded within the paper itself, making it nearly impossible for counterfeiters to reproduce.
The strips were made of plastic and featured microprinting and a holographic design, adding an extra layer of security. This innovation helped to protect the integrity of the $100 bill and ensure that only genuine currency was in circulation.
Continued updates to security features
While the introduction of security strips was a breakthrough, the fight against counterfeiting did not stop there. Over the years, the U.S. government has continued to update and enhance the security features on $100 bills to stay ahead of counterfeiters.
These updates have included changes to the strip design, the addition of color-shifting ink, and the incorporation of advanced imaging technology.
One notable update came in 2013 with the release of the Series 2009 $100 bills. These bills introduced a 3D security ribbon, which featured images of bells and 100s that appeared to move when the bill was tilted.
This added another layer of complexity to the security features, making it even more difficult for counterfeiters to replicate.
Ongoing counterfeiting despite strips
Despite the introduction of security strips and other advanced security features, counterfeiting of $100 bills persists. Criminals are constantly finding new ways to replicate currency and deceive unsuspecting individuals.
Individuals and businesses need to stay vigilant and familiarize themselves with the latest security features to avoid falling victim to counterfeit money.
If you suspect that you have received counterfeit money, it is important to report it to your local authorities or the U.S. Secret Service. They have the expertise and resources to investigate and combat counterfeiting.
For more information on the security features of U.S. currency, you can visit the U.S. Currency Education Program website. This resource provides detailed information on the various security features found in different denominations of U.S. currency.
Impact and Evolution of Security Strips
The introduction of security strips in $100 bills has had a significant impact on reducing counterfeiting and improving the security of the currency. These strips, also known as security threads, are embedded within the banknote and are designed to be difficult to reproduce.
Their introduction marked a crucial turning point in the battle against counterfeit money.
Reduced counterfeiting of $100 bills
Since the implementation of security strips in $100 bills, the number of counterfeits has significantly decreased. The incorporation of security features like holograms, micro printing, and color-shifting ink in combination with the security strips has made it increasingly challenging for counterfeiters to replicate complex designs.
As a result, the confidence in the authenticity of $100 bills has increased among merchants and consumers alike.
According to a report by the Federal Reserve, the introduction of security strips has led to a 72% decline in counterfeit $100 bills between 1996 and 2016. This data further demonstrates the effectiveness of these security measures in combating counterfeit currency.
Adaptations by counterfeiters
While the implementation of security strips has been successful in reducing the counterfeiting of $100 bills, counterfeiters have not been deterred entirely. They have adapted their techniques to try and replicate the security features present in these bills.
Counterfeiters have become more sophisticated in their methods, attempting to mimic the holograms, micro printing, and color-shifting ink found in genuine bills. However, the incorporation of security strips remains a significant challenge for counterfeiters, as replicating the intricate details of the strip is extremely difficult.
Expansion to lower denominations
Due to the success of security strips in $100 bills, their implementation has gradually expanded to lower denominations. This evolution ensures that counterfeiters cannot simply shift their focus to counterfeiting lower-value bills.
The inclusion of security strips in lower denominations, such as $20 and $50 bills, has further enhanced the security of the currency as a whole.
With the expansion of security strips to lower denominations, the counterfeit detection capabilities of businesses and financial institutions have improved. The use of advanced scanning devices and UV lights to detect the presence of security strips has become more widespread, making it harder for counterfeiters to pass off fake bills.
When Did 100-Dollar Bills Get Security Strips – Conclusion
The addition of security strips to $100 bills in 1990 marked an important milestone in the fight against counterfeiting. By making bills harder to replicate, the strips reduced the prevalence of fake currency and increased public trust in paper money.
However, counterfeiters continue to find new ways to mimic security features. Ongoing innovation in currency design and printing technology is needed to stay one step ahead.
