Trademark counterfeiting robs the U.S. of $200 billion

annually. It is a highly profitable tax-free cash business and it's lining the pockets of the

same criminals involved in murder, drug trafficking, gun running and extortion.

The following information regarding the average life of a Federal Reserve Note

was provided by the Federal Reserve System - please note that the life of a note depends

on its denomination:

$ 1 ...............18 months

$ 5 ................ 2 Years

$ 10................ 3 Years

$ 20 .............. 4 Years

$ 50 ............... 9 Years

$100 ...............9 Years

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing produces 38 million notes a day with a face value

of approximately $541 million.

1. Portrait: The enlarged portrait of Benjamin Franklin is easier to

recognize, while the added detail is harder to duplicate. The portrait is now

off-center, providing room for a watermark and reducing wear and tear on

the portrait.

2. Concentric Fine Lines: The fine lines printed behind both Benjamin

Franklin's portrait and Independence Hall are difficult to replicate.

3. Watermark: A watermark depicting Benjamin Franklin is visible from

both sides when held up to a light.

4. Color-Shifting Ink: The number in the lower right corner on the front of

the note looks green when viewed straight on, but appears black when

viewed at an angle.

5. Microprinting: Because they're so small, microprinted words are hard to

replicate. On the front of the note, "USA 100" is within the number in the

lower left corner and "United States of America" is on Benjamin Franklin's

coat.

6. Security Thread: A polymer thread is embedded vertically in the paper

and indicates, by its unique position, the note's denomination. The words

"USA 100"on the thread can be seen from both sides of the note when held

up to a bright light. Additionally, the thread glows red when held under an

ultraviolet light.

7. Federal Reserve Indicators: A new universal seal represents the entire

Federal Reserve System. A letter and number beneath the left serial

number identifies the issuing Federal Reserve Bank.

8. Serial Numbers: An additional letter is added to the serial number. The

unique combination of eleven numbers and letters appears twice on the

front of the note.

9. Check Letters, Plate, and Quadrant Numbers: These markings are used

as cross-references for checking authenticity.