Can I still use an old 100 dollar bill?

Yes, Your Old $100 Bill Is Still Good

That faded $100 bill tucked in your wallet or discovered in an old jacket pocket? Don’t toss it—it’s still valid money. Despite newer designs and security updates over the years, all U.S. currency ever issued remains legal tender. That means whether it’s a crisp 2023 note or a vintage 1990 version with a slightly off-center portrait, you can spend it without issue.

Some people worry that older bills—especially those without modern anti-counterfeit features like 3D security ribbons or color-shifting ink—might not be accepted. While banks and businesses may give older notes a second look out of caution, they are legally required to accept them. In practice, larger denominations like the $100 bill are scrutinized more closely due to forgery risks, but as long as the bill is genuine, it holds its full value.

It’s worth noting that the U.S. Treasury hasn’t discontinued any paper currency in modern history. Even the large-size notes from the early 1900s, though no longer printed, are still redeemable at face value. Of course, collectors might value certain older bills more highly based on rarity or condition, but for everyday use, your old hundred will work just fine at the grocery store, gas station, or anywhere else that takes cash.

Still, if you’re unsure about a bill’s authenticity—or if it’s badly damaged—your best bet is to bring it to a bank. They can verify it and exchange it without hassle. So before you assume it’s obsolete, remember: U.S. money doesn’t expire. That old $100 bill in your drawer? It’s not a relic—it’s still cash.