In 1996 the US Treasury Dept. introduced new counterfeit-proof paper money. What denomination of paper money was the first minted?

In 1996, the United States Treasury Department unveiled a significant overhaul of its paper currency, introducing new designs with advanced security features aimed at thwarting increasingly sophisticated counterfeiting efforts. This marked the first major design change to U.S. currency in 66 years, a proactive measure to safeguard the integrity of the nation's money. The initiative began with the one hundred dollar bill, making it the pioneer in this new era of counterfeit-proof banknotes.

The decision to start the redesign with the one hundred dollar denomination was a strategic one. The $100 bill was, and continues to be, the most widely circulated U.S. currency overseas. Its global prevalence made it a prime target for counterfeiters, especially those operating internationally with less risk of immediate detection. By enhancing the security of the highest denomination first, the Treasury aimed to immediately address the most pressing counterfeiting threats and maintain worldwide confidence in the U.S. dollar.

The redesigned $100 bill incorporated several innovative security elements. These included a larger, off-center portrait of Benjamin Franklin, a watermark of Franklin visible when held to light, and a security thread embedded in the paper that glowed pink under ultraviolet light. Perhaps one of the most notable features was the color-shifting ink on the numeral "100" in the lower right corner, which changed from green to black when tilted. These features, along with microprinting and fine-line printing, made it significantly more difficult for counterfeiters to replicate.

Following the successful introduction of the enhanced $100 bill, the Treasury Department systematically rolled out redesigned versions of other denominations. The $50 bill was updated in 1997, followed by the $20 in 1998, and finally the $10 and $5 notes in 2000. This phased approach allowed for a smooth transition and ensured that the public and financial institutions had time to become familiar with the new security features across all denominations, bolstering the overall security of U.S. currency.