Thaindian News

Washington, April 22 (IANS) The US has unveiled a new design for the $100 note. Complete with advanced technology to combat counterfeiting, it retains the traditional look of US currency.
The unveiling was done by the US Department of Treasury, the Federal Reserve Board and the US Secret Service Wednesday.

“As with previous US currency redesigns, this note incorporates the best technology available to ensure we’re staying ahead of counterfeiters,” said Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner.

“When the new $100 note is issued Feb 10, 2011, the approximately 6.5 billion old design $100s already in circulation will remain legal tender,” said the chairman of the Federal Reserve Board, Ben S. Bernanke.

“US currency users should know they will not have to trade in their old design notes when the new notes begin circulating.”

The redesigned $100 note includes two new advanced counterfeit-deterrent security features in addition to effective security features from the previous design.

“The $100 is the highest value denomination that we issue, and it circulates broadly around the world,” said Michael Lambert, Assistant Director for Cash at the Federal Reserve Board.

“Therefore, we took the necessary time to develop advanced security features that are easy for the public to use in everyday transactions, but difficult for counterfeiters to replicate.”

The new design for the $100 note retains three effective security features from the previous design: the portrait watermark of Benjamin Franklin, the security thread, and the color-shifting numeral 100.

The new $100 note also displays American symbols of freedom, including phrases from the Declaration of Independence and the quill the Founding Fathers used to sign this historic document. Both are located to the right of the portrait on the front of the note.