Coming to a Bank Near You: The New $100 Bill

There may be a federal shutdown, but that's not stopping the issue of a brand new $100 bill, which was delivered to banks across the country Tuesday.

The Federal Reserve Board announced in the spring that the redesigned $100 note began circulating today Oct. 8. The new note, which incorporates new security features such as a blue, 3-D security ribbon, will be easier for the public to authenticate, but more difficult for counterfeiters to replicate.

And if you do go out today to get one of the new $100 bills, check the serial number. The lower the better. Coin/money collectors will be especially interested in the low serial numbers. (Read more about that in this article on NBC: "Ka-ching! There's money to be made in new $100 bills")

"Early on, they’ll have the highest demand and highest premium. I would anticipate that the first number ones to reach the market will be $7,500 to $10,000,” if not more, said Frederick Bart, a dealer of rare currency, to NBC. The lowest eight-digit serial numbers — 00000001, 00000002 and so on — will fetch the highest prices.

The last redesign of the $100 note began circulating in March 1996. The new design for the $100 note was unveiled in 2010, but its introduction was postponed following an unexpected production delay. To ensure a smooth transition to the redesigned note when it begins circulating this month, the U.S. Currency Education Program is reaching out to businesses and consumers around the world to raise awareness about the new design and inform them about how to use its security features. 

More information about the new design $100 note, as well as training and educational materials, can be found at www.newmoney.gov. The U.S. Currency Education Program has developed training materials for the employees of industries that rely on cash, such as banks, currency exchanges, casinos and retailers. These materials are currently available for download or order. Questions? Email the Federal Reserve Board's U.S. Currency Education Program Office at USCurrency@frb.gov.