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The 2006 $5 Federal Reserve Note in Crisp Uncirculated (CU) condition represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of U.S. currency design, being the final series to feature the traditional layout before the extensive redesign introduced with the Series 2006A. While the 2006 series retains the familiar portrait of Abraham Lincoln and classical elements that had defined the $5 bill since the 1920s, it also subtly incorporates security features developed in the wake of heightened post-9/11 anti-counterfeiting concerns. In CU condition, this note maintains its original texture, ink clarity, and crispness, making it a highly collectible example of transitional-era American currency.
The obverse of the 2006 $5 note continues the standard layout seen in earlier series, with President Abraham Lincoln prominently displayed in an engraved portrait at the center-right. This enduring image, derived from a photograph taken during the Civil War, remains a defining element of the denomination. Above the portrait is the inscription “THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” while “FEDERAL RESERVE NOTE” appears across the top. Below Lincoln’s image, the denomination is spelled out as “FIVE DOLLARS.” To the left of the portrait is the black seal of the issuing Federal Reserve Bank, and to the right is the green U.S. Treasury seal.
Two serial numbers are printed in green ink—one in the lower left and another in the upper right quadrant of the note. The prefix letter in the serial number identifies the Federal Reserve Bank that issued the note, ranging from “A” for Boston to “L” for San Francisco. These serial numbers are essential for cataloging and tracking individual notes, especially when building complete Federal Reserve district sets. The black Federal Reserve seal includes the bank's name and a corresponding letter, reinforcing the note’s geographic origin and authenticity.
The note also features the signatures of Anna Escobedo Cabral, Treasurer of the United States, and Henry M. Paulson Jr., Secretary of the Treasury, printed in black below the left and right sides of the portrait. These signatures help date the note to the latter half of the 2000s and confirm its placement within the 2006 series. The text “THIS NOTE IS LEGAL TENDER FOR ALL DEBTS, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE” is printed to the left of the portrait, a standard inclusion on all U.S. paper currency.
The reverse of the 2006 $5 Federal Reserve Note continues with the iconic image of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., an engraving that had appeared on the denomination since 1929. The neoclassical monument is portrayed in sharp detail, including its fluted columns and grand stairway. The reverse inscription “THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” arches across the top, and “FIVE DOLLARS” is centered along the bottom. Large numeral “5”s are found in each corner, accompanied by the word “FIVE” flanking the monument on both sides. This layout, with its symmetrical balance and engraving precision, represents the last use of this classic reverse before the redesign that debuted with the 2006A series.
The note is printed on a specialized paper composed of 75% cotton and 25% linen, embedded with red and blue security fibers for added protection against counterfeiting. The note does not yet incorporate a watermark or color-shifting ink, but it does include a security thread and microprinting—features that began appearing with greater consistency in early 21st-century notes. The security thread on the 2006 $5 note is embedded vertically and glows blue under ultraviolet (UV) light, a key distinguishing element for authentication. Additionally, tiny printed text—known as microprinting—is used around Lincoln’s portrait and in the borders to further deter counterfeiting.
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) produced the 2006 $5 notes at both its Washington, D.C., and Fort Worth, Texas facilities. Fort Worth notes are marked with an “FW” before the face plate number in the lower right corner of the obverse. For collectors, this distinction is meaningful, especially when assembling sets from both printing locations. Other useful identifiers include face and back plate numbers, which assist numismatists in tracking production batches and variations.
In Crisp Uncirculated (CU) condition, this note remains in flawless, original state. It exhibits no folds, tears, or stains, and the paper is bright, crisp, and clean. Ink registration is sharp, corners are squared and unbroken, and the raised texture of intaglio printing remains intact, especially over the portrait and seals. These features are essential for collectors who prioritize condition, and CU notes such as this are often eligible for third-party certification and grading. When submitted to services like PMG or PCGS Banknote, top-condition notes from this series can receive grades of 65 Gem Uncirculated or higher.
Though the 2006 series $5 notes were printed in large numbers, the CU examples set aside at the time of issuance have become increasingly desirable, especially in the context of transitional series collecting. The 2006 note is especially significant because it represents the last series to maintain the longstanding layout and engraving style before the radically modernized 2006A redesign. That next version introduced large purple numerals, repositioned elements, and tints of purple and gray to help deter counterfeiters—dramatically altering the note’s traditional appearance.
The 2006 $5 note appeals to collectors interested in modern U.S. paper money, particularly those focused on type sets, security evolution, or Federal Reserve district series. It also serves as a benchmark issue for comparison with both its predecessors and successors. Because of its transitional status and clean, historical design, many collectors regard it as the end of an era in U.S. currency design—a final homage to the green-and-black aesthetic that had defined American notes for most of the 20th century.
In summary, the 2006 $5 Federal Reserve Note in Crisp Uncirculated condition stands as a crucial and collectible example of American currency design just prior to a major redesign shift. With its classic layout, subtle security enhancements, and preservation in flawless CU condition, it offers a tangible link between the rich tradition of engraved banknotes and the modern digital age. Whether collected for its design continuity, district variation, or place in monetary history, this note holds enduring value and relevance in the numismatic community.