The first of six short videos will cover topics such as how to detect a counterfeit note, the art of banknote design and how new notes enter circulation. The episodes will feature guests from the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, the Federal Reserve Board and the United States Secret Service.

Episode One -- An introduction to the $100 public education program.

Episode 2 -- The New $100 Note Podcast Series : How To Detect A Counterfeit

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Officials from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the Federal Reserve Board and the United States Secret Service today unveiled the new design for the $100 note. Complete with advanced technology to combat counterfeiting, the new design for the $100 note retains the traditional look of U.S. currency.

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

“When the new design $100 note is issued in TBD, the approximately 6.5 billion old design $100s already in circulation will remain legal tender,” said Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board Ben S. Bernanke. “U.S. 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 features are easy for consumers and merchants to check when verifying authenticity.

The blue 3-D Security Ribbon on the front of the new $100 note contains images of bells and 100s that move and change from one to the other as you tilt the note.

The Bell in the Inkwell on the front of the note is another new security feature. The bell changes color from copper to green when the note is tilted, an effect that makes it seem to appear and disappear within the copper inkwell. “The new security features announced today come after more than a decade of research and development to protect our currency from counterfeiting.

To ensure a seamless introduction of the new $100 note into the financial system, we will continue global public education of retailers, financial institutions and industry organizations to ensure that consumers and merchants are aware of the new security features,” said Treasurer of the United States Rosie Rios. (more…)

The new design for the $100 note will make its debut on Wednesday, April 21 during a ceremony at the Department of the Treasury’s Cash Room. The U.S. government redesigns currency in order to stay ahead of counterfeiters and protect the public.

Decisions about the redesign of each denomination are guided by the government’s close evaluation of the range of ongoing counterfeit threats, whether from digital technology or traditional printing presses.

The ceremony in Washington, D.C., will be held at 10:00 a.m. U.S. EDT and will feature:

Secretary of the Treasury Timothy Geithner

Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System Ben Bernanke

Treasurer of the United States Rosie Rios

Director of the United States Secret Service Mark Sullivan

When the new note begins circulating, it will be important for people to know that it is not necessary to trade in old-design notes for new ones. All U.S. currency remains legal tender, regardless of when it was issued.

The unveiling of the $100 note is the first step in a global multi-government agency public education program implemented by the Department of the Treasury, the Federal Reserve Board and the U.S. Secret Service, to educate those who use the $100 note about its changes before it begins circulating.

The $100 note is the highest value denomination of U.S. currency in general circulation, with up to two-thirds of $100 notes held outside the United States. (more…)