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The 1995 $5 Federal Reserve Note in Crisp Uncirculated (CU) condition represents the last issue of the classic $5 bill design before major security enhancements were introduced by the United States Treasury. As a product of the pre-2000s era, the 1995 series marks the end of an aesthetic lineage that remained largely unchanged for over six decades. Featuring a traditional design centered around Abraham Lincoln and the Lincoln Memorial, this note reflects the stability of American currency design prior to the modern anti-counterfeiting transformations. In CU condition, it is an ideal specimen for collectors seeking flawless examples of late 20th-century paper money.
The obverse of the 1995 $5 Federal Reserve Note is centered on a finely engraved portrait of Abraham Lincoln, facing right. This image is adapted from a photograph by Anthony Berger taken in 1864 and has been the defining element of the $5 bill since the introduction of the small-size format in 1928. Above Lincoln is the label “FEDERAL RESERVE NOTE,” with “THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” printed above the portrait. Below Lincoln’s image, the denomination is printed as “FIVE DOLLARS,” while the phrase “THIS NOTE IS LEGAL TENDER FOR ALL DEBTS, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE” appears to the left of the portrait.
To the left of Lincoln is the black Federal Reserve District seal, which includes the issuing bank’s name and letter designation. There are twelve possible Federal Reserve Banks, ranging from A (Boston) to L (San Francisco), and each note’s serial number begins with a letter that corresponds to its district. On the right is the green Treasury seal, a hallmark of all Federal Reserve Notes. The note’s serial numbers are printed in green ink and appear in the upper right and lower left corners. For collectors, certain serial number patterns—such as low numbers, star notes, or repeaters—are of particular interest and can elevate a note’s value significantly.
The signatures printed at the bottom of the obverse identify the Treasurer of the United States and the Secretary of the Treasury at the time of the note’s production. For the 1995 series, these are typically Mary Ellen Withrow as Treasurer and Robert E. Rubin as Secretary. Their printed names anchor the note historically to the Clinton administration, adding a layer of context for those interested in political and economic conditions of the mid-1990s. These signatures also serve as identifiers of the exact series, helping distinguish the 1995 issue from other nearby printings such as the 1993 or 1999 series.
The reverse of the note features a detailed vignette of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. The classical symmetry of the design, including the visible columns and steps, mirrors the stability and permanence the structure is meant to symbolize. At the top of the note is the inscription “THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” with “FIVE DOLLARS” along the bottom. Large numeral “5”s are positioned in each corner, while a smaller “FIVE” is placed to the left and right of the central image. The monochromatic green design is elegant and subdued, consistent with earlier Federal Reserve Notes.
The 1995 $5 note was printed on a cotton-linen blend paper embedded with red and blue fibers. These security threads were standard in currency production before the introduction of advanced anti-counterfeiting features. The note lacks a watermark, color-shifting ink, or security thread—elements that would be introduced in the 1999 and 2006 redesigns of the $5 bill. This makes the 1995 series the final example of the original, minimalist design and highly collectible as a result. Collectors often consider this note the last "classic" $5 bill, and its CU condition ensures maximum visual and structural integrity.
In Crisp Uncirculated (CU) condition, a 1995 $5 Federal Reserve Note has never been folded, creased, or circulated. The paper remains crisp and bright with bold inking, sharp corners, and no signs of handling or wear. Notes in this condition often retain original bank strap wave impressions and full embossing from the intaglio printing process. These features contribute to their desirability, especially for those assembling sets of modern U.S. currency in top grade or seeking examples from each issuing Federal Reserve Bank.
The 1995 $5 notes were produced at both the Bureau of Engraving and Printing’s Washington, D.C., and Fort Worth, Texas facilities. Fort Worth notes can be identified by the presence of an “FW” prefix near the lower right plate number. This distinction is important to advanced collectors, many of whom build complete district sets or printing location subsets. Plate position indicators and printing plate numbers add to the research and classification value of each individual note, even within the same series and grade.
While not rare in the general population, CU examples of the 1995 $5 note are increasingly difficult to find in today’s market. Many notes from this era entered circulation and suffered wear, while few were set aside in pristine condition. Star notes (replacement issues) from the 1995 series are especially scarce in CU grade and can command significant premiums. Collectors may also seek low serial numbers, ascending or descending ladders, or radar notes, each of which adds numismatic interest to an otherwise common issue.
The 1995 series was eventually replaced by the 1999 $5 note, which retained the same general layout but introduced minor updates in plate configurations and ink formulations. Major design overhauls would not arrive until the 2000s, making the 1995 $5 a bookend in the era of minimalist, traditional Federal Reserve Notes. As such, it represents an important turning point in U.S. currency history and is frequently chosen for type sets, educational collections, and portfolios centered on late 20th-century monetary design.
In summary, the 1995 $5 Federal Reserve Note in Crisp Uncirculated condition captures the final chapter of a longstanding design tradition before the U.S. currency underwent modernizing transformations. With its refined portrait of Lincoln, classic layout, and clean reverse, it offers collectors a well-preserved example of American banknote history. Whether collected by district, printing facility, or simply as a type representative, this note in CU grade retains enduring appeal and historical significance.