Legal Guidelines for Using Prop $100 Bills: What You Need To Know

Prop money plays a key role in making scenes look authentic in movies, TV shows, and photo shoots. From a dramatic heist scene to a quick shot of someone counting cash, prop 100 dollar bills often stand in for real currency. However, while these bills may look convincing on screen, using them improperly can cause serious legal trouble. 

How do you use prop money legally and safely? What rules should you follow to avoid unintentionally breaking counterfeit laws? In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about the legal guidelines for using prop money.

Understanding Prop Money and Counterfeit Money Laws

Prop money and counterfeit money may seem similar, but the law treats them very differently. Counterfeit money is designed to deceive. It’s illegal and comes with hefty penalties. On the other hand, prop money is created for entertainment purposes, like film productions or music videos, and is legal as long as it meets strict guidelines.

The United States Code has clear rules for creating and using movie props that resemble currency. They also can’t include certain security features that real cash has, like watermarks, holograms, or color-shifting ink. Violating these guidelines can result in fines or criminal charges.

What Are Prop 100 Dollar Bills?

Prop 100 dollar bills are fake cash used to create the look of an actual bill without the legal risks or financial liability. These bills are commonly used in scenes involving stacks of cash or dramatic close-ups in movies.

Fake currency made for productions often includes disclaimers like "For Motion Picture Purposes" or have noticeable differences, such as altered images or colors. Many prop companies use black and white reproductions or faded colors to ensure the bills aren’t mistaken for actual money.

Some prop makers take extra steps, like printing bills on non-standard paper or including unique designs that clearly separate the bills from real currency.

Legal Guidelines for Using Prop 100 Bills

If you’re using prop money, it’s crucial to follow these guidelines to stay on the right side of the law:

1. Never use prop money as real currency. Trying to spend prop cash, even as a joke, is considered fraud and can lead to criminal charges.
2. Label it clearly. Make sure your bills include phrases like "For Motion Picture Purposes" to differentiate them from real cash.
3. Destroy unused prop money after its final use. All plates, positives, negatives, digitized storage medium, and other tools used in the creation of prop money must be destroyed.
4. Avoid adding security features. Do not include watermarks, holograms, or other elements found in real cash.
   

Following these rules allows you to use prop bills safely without risking legal consequences.

Is It Real or Fake Money? How To Detect Prop 100 Dollar Bills

Spotting prop money might seem simple, but with modern printing techniques, some prop money can look convincing. Knowing how to identify prop money is essential to avoid confusion or legal trouble. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what to do if you suspect you have been given prop 100 dollar bills:

• Look for Disclaimers: Most prop money includes clear disclaimers, such as “For Motion Picture Use Only” or “This Is Not Legal Tender.” These markings are required and help differentiate prop bills from real currency. Disclaimers are often printed on both sides of the bill, so always check for these labels before assuming the money is real.
• Examine the Material: Real currency is made with a unique blend of cotton and linen, giving it a distinct texture. Prop money, on the other hand, is typically printed on standard paper. If the bill feels smooth or lacks the slightly rough texture of real cash, it’s likely fake. For added authenticity in movies, some prop bills are printed on higher-quality paper, but they still won’t match the weight or durability of actual money.
• Use a Counterfeit Detector Pen: This pen uses a chemical reaction to determine if the paper is genuine. The pen leaves a light or clear mark when marked on real money. On prop money or counterfeit bills, it leaves a dark mark because the paper used is different from the cotton-linen blend in real cash.
• Check the Colors: Authentic U.S. currency has vibrant and precise colors, whereas prop money often uses faded tones or black and white reproductions. These muted colors ensure the bills look realistic on camera while remaining distinguishable from real cash in person.
• Use a Money Counter: Some money counters and detection devices can identify fake money stacks or prop bills. These machines often check for key security features like magnetic ink, fluorescent strips, or use infrared scanners to verify the presence of authentic ink, which is absent in prop bills.

By combining these techniques, you can confidently determine whether a bill is real, prop money, or outright counterfeit. Being vigilant protects you and ensures you comply with legal tender and counterfeit laws.

What To Do If You Receive Prop 100 Dollar Bills

Receiving prop 100 dollar bills without realizing it can be confusing and potentially stressful, especially if the bills are highly realistic. Whether you stumbled upon fake money or received it in a transaction, here’s what you need to do to handle the situation responsibly and legally.

Don’t Try to Use It

Attempting to use prop money as real currency is considered fraud, even if you weren’t aware it was fake at first. Federal law prohibits spending prop bills as legal tender, and doing so can result in severe penalties, including fines or even jail time. If you accidentally use it and get caught, you could face legal action under counterfeit laws.

Instead, look closer at the bills to confirm whether they are prop money. Look for disclaimers like “For Motion Picture Use Only” or other signs that they don’t meet the standards of actual money.

Contact Local Authorities

If you suspect someone knowingly gave you prop money to deceive you, it’s important to report it. File a police report. Provide as much detail as possible about how you acquired the fake cash. If you unknowingly accept fake money, explain the situation clearly to avoid suspicion. It’s better to involve authorities than to risk being accused of trying to pass off the fake money yourself.

Preserve the Evidence

To assist with any investigation, handle the bills carefully and preserve them properly. Place the prop 100 dollar bills in a plastic envelope or pouch to protect them. This helps maintain the integrity of the fingerprints or other forensic evidence on the bills. Avoid excessive money handling, as this could interfere with any investigation. Authorities may analyze the graphic files, designs, or even compare the bills to known counterfeit cases.

Report It to the Right Organizations

Report suspicious activities involving prop money or fake cash to local and federal agencies. The Secret Service, which oversees fake currency investigations, may be interested in certain cases. This could be a violation if the bills seem intentionally designed to mimic real currency without clear disclaimers.

Taking these steps will help resolve the issue and could prevent movie prop money from circulating outside of where it's designed to be used. Taking swift, informed action is key to staying on the right side of the law and protecting yourself from future problems.

Avoiding Counterfeit Currency Issues

Here are some tips to avoid problems with counterfeit currency or prop bills.

• Buy from trusted sources; don’t try to make your own dollar bills. Look for reputable suppliers that follow the law and use original designs for their props.
• Educate your team. Make sure everyone handling prop money understands the legal tender rules and federal requirements.
• Destroy unused bills. After completing a project, follow the law by erasing or destroying all negatives, plates, positives, digitized storage medium, and other tools.
• Stay informed. Keep up-to-date with federal law, including guidelines for creating and using movie props.
  

Training your team to identify fake bills, whether prop money or counterfeit currency, can save you from legal complications and financial losses. Taking these steps will ensure your productions stay professional and compliant.

Keeping It Legal With Prop 100 Dollar Bills

Using prop 100 dollar bills can add realism to your production, but following the law is critical. Understanding counterfeit money regulations and ensuring your props meet all legal guidelines will keep you out of trouble. Always work with trusted suppliers and destroy props after their final use.

Ready to get high-quality prop money for your next project? Prop Money offers realistic, legal props perfect for movies, training, and more. We have options for every need, from a fake money stack for an action scene to smaller bills for dramatic close-ups. Don’t risk getting caught with counterfeit currency. Shop at Prop Money today for professional-grade prop bills you can trust!