I have received a few $100 bills from my grandfather who has passed away. The bills are from 1950. When I went to deposit them in my bank, they used that marker on the bills and the mark turned brown. The bank told me they would not accept these bills due to the brown mark. I thought maybe because the bills are so old that that could be why the marker didn't work. I don't believe that these bills are counterfeit, but if my bank won't take them what can I do? Should I contact the Department of Treasury?
Those counterfeit detection pens are designed to react to the starch in legitimate currency paper. Old bills may not have the same starch. Frankly, the pens are not a very accurate measure of whether currency is legitimate, and it is surprising that your bank relies on them exclusively.
Legitimate U.S. currency has never been devalued or outdated when new versions are printed. You might want to take those bills to another bank before resorting to the hassle of trying to collect through the Treasury Department. If all your attempts fail, you can contact the Treasury Department's Bureau of Engraving and Printing to arrange for delivery of those old bills for examination and collection of the face value.
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Those counterfeit detection pens are designed to react to the starch in legitimate currency paper. Old bills may not have the same starch. Frankly, the pens are not a very accurate measure of whether currency is legitimate, and it is surprising that your bank relies on them exclusively.