VZCZCXRO8554
RR RUEHIK
DE RUEHC #5577/01 0510252
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 200249Z FEB 10
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO ALL DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR POSTS COLLECTIVE
RUEHRY/AMEMBASSY CONAKRY 3596
RUEHTRO/AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI 2769
RUEHPU/AMEMBASSY PORT AU PRINCE 0888

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 015577 
 
SENSITIVE SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EFIN ECON
SUBJECT: REDESIGNED U.S. $100 NOTE 
 
STATE 00015577  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶1.  (U) Summary: This is an action cable.  This cable 
includes information on the unveiling of a redesigned 
$100 Federal Reserve Note and the associated U.S. 
government global public education program.  The cable 
also includes a request for Embassy points of contact 
(POCs) by February 16, to support the government's 
global public education efforts. End Summary. 
 
¶2.  (U) In order to stay ahead of counterfeiters, the 
U.S. government is redesigning the $100 note to 
incorporate advancements in currency security that will 
make the note harder to counterfeit, but easy for 
businesses and consumers to authenticate.  The new $100 
note builds on the currency redesign efforts which began 
in 2003 with the $20 note. 
 
¶3.  (U) Public Education Program: The Federal Reserve 
estimates that up to two-thirds of U.S. currency 
circulates outside of the United States.  The $100 note 
is the most widely circulated and most often 
counterfeited denomination outside the United States. 
Therefore, in preparation for its introduction, the 
Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP), Federal Reserve 
Board (FRB) and United States Secret Service (USSS) are 
planning an extensive global public education program to 
familiarize the public and stakeholders (central banks, 
other financial institutions, law enforcement agencies 
and relevant industries) with the design and security 
features of the new $100 note.  We are looking to 
embassies for support of the government's global public 
education effort. 
 
¶4.  (SBU) Milestones: The BEP, FRB and USSS will unveil 
the new $100 note design on April 21, 2010.  A digital 
version of the new $100 note design will appear at that 
time on the Redesigned Currency Web site, 
http://www.newmoney.gov, which will facilitate broader 
communication about the new design.  The Federal Reserve 
will issue the new $100 note 6-9 months following the 
unveiling of the new design.  (NOTE: The date for the 
unveiling of the redesigned $100 note is not to be 
shared outside official USG channels until the BEP, FRB, 
and USSS issue a media advisory on March 3, 2010.) 
 
¶5.  (U) Circulation: It is not necessary to trade in 
old-design $100 notes for new ones.  All U.S. currency 
remains legal tender, regardless of when it was issued. 
 
¶6.  (U) Priority Markets for Outreach: Based on 
extensive research, we have identified 52 countries 
where it is critical that we educate users of United 
States currency about the upcoming changes to the $100 
note.  These select markets will receive more focused 
attention from the education program; subsequent 
communications from the BEP, FRB and USSS will outline 
the level of outreach within each of the targeted 
markets. 
 
¶7.  (U) Interactive Public Education Resource Kit 
(iPERK): In order to assist you in your public education 
efforts and to ensure a consistent voice across all 
government agencies, we will provide you with access to 
a password-protected comprehensive toolkit, the iPERK. 
This toolkit will be available through the Redesigned 
Currency Web site, http://www.newmoney.gov and will 
include media materials, samples of education materials, 
talking points and Q&A documents that will help your 
Embassy respond to any stakeholder or media inquiries. 
 
¶8.  (U) Press Kit and Training Materials: Press and 
education materials will be available on the Redesigned 
Currency Web site http://www.newmoney.gov.  The Web site 
will be updated to include information and images of the 
new $100 note after the design is unveiled on April 21, 
¶2010.  Educational materials will also be made available 
to order (free of charge) or download (PDF format) from 
the Web site at that time.  The Washington File will 
also carry these materials, and they may be distributed 
as appropriate. 
 
¶9.  (U) Action Request: We request that each Embassy 
select two POCs who will remain at post through the end 
of 2010:  (1) a public affairs POC who will liaise with 
the public education specialists contracted and 
authorized by the BEP, FRB and USSS to support the new 
currency program in select markets; and (2) an economic 
 
STATE 00015577  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
POC who will manage relationships with officials in 
finance ministries, central banks, other banking 
institutions and currency exchanges to assess their 
information needs.  Where appropriate, posts should plan 
on educating the media and consumers about the new $100 
note and collaborate with in-country teams to host 
events and training seminars.  The USSS will coordinate 
all law enforcement training and support through the 
regional security officer. 
 
¶10.  (U) POCs: Please send the names of the two POCs 
along with contact information by e-mail to Sonja 
Danburg, at Sonja.R.Danburg@frb.gov by February 26, 2010 
with a copy to William A. Campbell, the State Department 
POC in EEB/IFD/OMA, at CampbellWA@state.gov. 
 
¶11.  (SBU) Next Steps: Between now and the date of the 
unveiling of the new $100 note on April 21, 2010, there 
will be a series of e-mail and other communications as 
well as a "kick-off" conference call between the BEP, 
FRB, USSS and the POCs which you designate.  On March 1, 
2010 an introductory e-mail will be sent to the POC with 
details on the unveiling event in the United States, 
activities planned in each market and the schedule and 
logistics for the conference call. 
 
MINIMIZE CONSIDERED 
CLINTON