One-Hundred-Dollar Banknote Commemorative Coin

One of the Founding Fathers that shaped the United States, Benjamin Franklin was also an author, a scientist, a diplomat, and a prolific inventor who developed several life-changing inventions. Inaddition to helping draft the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, Franklin served as the first Postmaster General, Minister to Sweden and France, and the 6th President of Pennsylvania. Today, he is featured on the $100 U.S. Banknote.

First introduced in 1862, the $100 bill originally featured a vignette of an American Eagle on the obverse. In 1914, Congress decided tohonor Benjamin Franklin by putting his portrait on the banknote. The largest denomination banknote still in circulation, the $100 bill has been changed over the years, but continues to honor this legendary Founding Father. Designed in 2009, the new bill was unveiled by the U.S. Department of Treasury on April 21, 2010. In order to stay ahead of counterfeiters, the new $100 bill features a noticeably larger portrait of Franklin and several colorful deterrents including a blue 3-D security ribbon with images of bells and 100s, and a color-changing bell in an inkwell. The high-tech features presented significant production problems which forced the Treasury to delay its release for more than three years. The new $100 banknotes finally made their official debut on October 8, 2013.

Luxuriously layered in 24k gold and minted to the highest quality "Proof" standard, this dazzling commemorative coin features a full-color reproduction of the newly released $100 bill. Framing the photo-realistic inset is a highly detailed engraving of Independence Hall just as it is featured on the reverse of the original banknote.