In what year was the very first US$100 bill minted? Was someone other then Ben Franklin on it at that time?

JackieA0818

That depends on what you mean by "bill". From the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, The first $100 notes (called United States Notes or "Legal Tenders") were issued by the Federal Government in 1862 and featured a vignette of an American eagle. The first use of Benjamin Franklin's portrait on $100 notes was on the first series of Federal Reserve Notes, Series 1914. I also read on Wikipedia 1861 the first 100$ Interest Bearing Notes were issued, paid interest of 7.3% and were not intended to be in circulation. And had the portrait of Gen Winfield Scott. Other "notes" had eagles, George Washington, Lincoln, Thomas Hart Benton, among others. The first use of Ben Franklin was 1914. Feb 08 10, 2:45 PM