Treasury Unveils Design for New $100

The Treasury Department earlier today unveiled the design for the new $100 bill, which will enter circulation on Feb. 10, 2011. The bill, of course, is being printed on paper made by Crane & Co. Here's where you can find out all about the new design and the security features to combat counterfeting.

I issued the following statement from Crane after the official unveiling:

“As the supplier of the paper used to produce the redesigned $100 bill, Crane & Co. worked diligently to provide the Bureau of Engraving & Printing with paper that contains an updated suite of security elements. These features were designed to address the Government’s twin objectives of elevating the security of the world's most recognized banknote, while at the same time enhancing its ease of use – both of which serve to support and extend the public’s confidence in the banknote.” said Douglas Crane, vice president.

“Crane’s Motion micro-optic security technology, in combination with all the other features of the new bill, will present major challenges for potential counterfeiters,” said Crane. Motion technology creates simulated images on the security thread that not only appear to move as the bill is tilted, but also switch from one image to another – from the text “$100” to the Liberty Bell.

“Because Motion is so visually engaging, it will serve to greatly increase public awareness of all the security features of the $100 and will make consumer verification of the authenticity of the bill much easier at the point of transaction,” said Crane.

In addition to Motion, the paper made by Crane contains several other, more traditional anti-counterfeit devices including red and blue scattered fibers, a portrait watermark of Benjamin Franklin, an embedded security thread which can be read using transmitted light and which glows red under UV light, and a series of darker numeral "100" watermarks to the left of the portrait.

“Perhaps most importantly of all, these new security techniques have been added to the paper that retains the important and distinctive feel of United States Currency - an attribute that is often linked to the initial detection of counterfeits,” said Crane. 

The paper for the new $100 bill is being made at Crane’s headquarters in Dalton. Motion and other security devices embedded in the paper itself are manufactured at Crane subsidiaries . 

About Crane & Co., Inc.

Founded in 1801, the company's roots extend to the birth of the nation. It was at Crane's Liberty Mill that paper was made for Paul Revere to engrave colonial currency in 1776. Crane has made the distinctive paper for United States currency since 1879. Crane & Co. has also been the country's leading maker of fine 100 percent cotton stationery for social and business correspondence. Crane’s stationery is sold nationwide through a network of more than 2,000 independent retailers. The company employs 825 people in Berkshire County, and continues to be owned and managed by members of the sixth and seventh generations of the Crane family.