Treasury unveils new high-tech $100 bills with '3-D Security Ribbon'
Handout The bill (features on top above the old bill) features a variety of new security measures, including a blue "3-D Security Ribbon" that features tiny Liberty Bells.
You won't need special glasses to spend the new $100 bills - even if they do boast 3-D technology.
The new currency introduced Wednesday features a variety of new security measures, including a blue "3-D Security Ribbon" that features tiny Liberty Bells.
The bells change to the number 100 when the bill is tilted, one of several changes that Treasury officials hope will frustrate counterfeiters. The 3-D strip is actually woven into the bill, rather than printed on the paper.
The bill - due to debut on Feb. 10, 2011 - also features a color-changing inkwell and Liberty Bell to the right of Franklin's portrait on the bill.
An embedded thread to Franklin's left will glow pink when placed under UV light. And the words "The United States of America" will be microprinted on Franklin's jacket collar.
"This note incorporates the best technology available to ensure we're staying ahead of counterfeiters," said Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke.
The $100 bill is the favorite target of counterfeiters outside the United States, authorities said.
As many of two-thirds of the current $100 bills in circulation are overseas.
The bill was initially expected to appear in 2008, but the timetable was pushed back to allow additional security enhancements.
Officials stressed that the 6.5 billion $100 bills currently in circulation will remain legal tender when the new bills roll out.
Obverse of the Series 2009 US$100 bill
Reverse of the Series 2009 US$100 bill
Official animated video released yesterday
The United States 's  unveiled a new  Wednesday morning.  This is the first time that the one hundred dollar note has been redesigned since 1996.

Until now the one hundred dollar note, along with the  and  dollar notes, was not part of the newest batch of dollar note redesigns.  The Bureau of Engraving and Printing redesigned the series 2006 5, 10, 20, and 50 dollar notes previously.

The new one hundred dollar note will contain new security and design features. Along with a new stylized portrait of , the note also features a quill pen and inkwell on the obverse.  On the reverse it has a new larger printed '100' in gold lettering.  The new security features include a , a new more secure watermark, and a new feature called 'motion' which uses 650,000 micro lenses to create a moving image.

The note was originally slated for release in 2008 although budget constraints pushed the release date back to late 2009 or early to mid 2010.  The note will go into general circulation by early 2011.