Do ATMs Take Old 100 Dollar Bills?
Wondering if ATMs take your older $100 bills? Understand how valid currency is processed, why rejections occur, and your options.
Many people wonder if automated teller machines (ATMs) accept older versions of $100 bills. Currency designs evolve over time, leading to a variety of appearances in circulation. This often causes concern about whether modern ATM technology will recognize them.
How ATMs Process Currency
ATMs are designed to recognize and accept all valid U.S. currency, provided it passes security validation checks. The technology within ATMs scans bills for various security features, such as watermarks, security threads, and color-shifting ink, rather than relying solely on visual design. Each bill inserted into a deposit-enabled ATM passes through sensors that count and verify its authenticity and denomination.
An ATM might reject a bill due to its physical condition or if it is suspected of being counterfeit. For instance, torn, heavily soiled, wrinkled, or taped bills may be rejected because the ATM’s sensors cannot properly read their security features. The ATM’s systems can process older bills if they meet the necessary security and physical criteria.
Understanding $100 Bill Designs
What many people call “old” $100 bills are simply earlier designs. The U.S. Treasury periodically updates banknote designs to enhance security and deter counterfeiting. Notable redesigns of the $100 bill occurred in 2013, introducing a blue security ribbon, and in 1996, adding features like microprinting and color-shifting ink.
Despite these design changes, all legitimate $100 bills issued since 1914 remain legal tender in the United States. An older bill, even with a less familiar appearance, holds the same face value as a newly printed one.
Troubleshooting ATM Rejections
Even if a $100 bill is valid, an ATM might still reject it for several reasons. One common cause is the bill’s physical condition; excessive wear, tears, tape, or significant folds can interfere with the ATM’s sensors. Sometimes, the ATM’s internal mechanisms might simply misread a security feature, leading to an unwarranted rejection.
If an ATM rejects your $100 bill, you can take a few steps. Examine the bill for physical damage or creasing and try smoothing it out. Reinserting the bill carefully, ensuring it is flat and aligned, can sometimes resolve the issue. If the same ATM consistently rejects the bill, try using a different ATM. If a bill is repeatedly rejected and appears suspicious, consider the possibility of it being counterfeit.
Other Options for Depositing Bills
If an ATM consistently rejects a $100 bill, alternative methods are available for depositing or exchanging it. The most common and reliable option is to deposit the bill directly with a bank teller during business hours. Tellers can visually inspect the bill and often accept currency that an ATM might reject due to minor wear, slight damage, or an unfamiliar older design. Banks are generally obligated to accept all legal tender.
Bank tellers can also exchange older series bills for newer ones. This ensures valid bills can still be used or converted. Banks also handle sending worn or damaged currency to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing for replacement, ensuring the monetary system remains efficient.