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Think you found a counterfeit bill? The best way to spot a fake $5 bill is to examine its security features, like the watermark or security thread. The designs and security features of the $5 bill have changed since it was standardized in 1914, so we’ve broken down all the things you can look for in each design depending on the year of the bill. Keep reading to see all the ways you can spot a fake bill, plus how to report it to your local authorities.
Easiest Ways to Identify a Fake $5 Bill
Feel the surface of the bill to make sure the paper is slightly rough and the ink is raised. If the bill was printed after 1993, hold it up to the light and look for watermarks of the number 5 or President Lincoln’s face and a security thread running vertically on the left or right of Lincoln’s portrait.
Steps
Expert Q&A
Video
Tips
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All real U.S. currency is legal tender, no matter how long ago it was distributed.[50]Thanks
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When comparing two bills, look for differences, not similarities. If a bill differs in any way from a verified bill, it’s probably fake.[51]Thanks
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Counterfeit detection pens aren’t always accurate, so the best way to identify a fake bill is to look at its security features instead.[52]Thanks
References
- ↑ https://www.uscurrency.gov/denominations/5
- ↑ https://www.uscurrency.gov/denominations/5
- ↑ https://www.uscurrency.gov/denominations/5
- ↑ https://www.uscurrency.gov/cashier-toolkit
- ↑ https://finance.cornell.edu/sites/default/files/detect-counterfeit.pdf
- ↑ https://www.uscurrency.gov/denominations/5
- ↑ https://www.uscurrency.gov/denominations/5
- ↑ https://www.uscurrency.gov/denominations/5
- ↑ https://www.uscurrency.gov/denominations/5
- ↑ https://www.uscurrency.gov/denominations/5
- ↑ https://www.uscurrency.gov/denominations/5
- ↑ https://finance.cornell.edu/sites/default/files/detect-counterfeit.pdf
- ↑ https://www.uscurrency.gov/denominations/5
- ↑ https://www.uscurrency.gov/sites/default/files/downloadable-materials/files/en/dollars-in-detail-guide-en-2022.pdf
- ↑ https://www.uscurrency.gov/denominations/5
- ↑ https://www.uscurrency.gov/denominations/5
- ↑ https://www.uscurrency.gov/denominations/5
- ↑ https://www.uscurrency.gov/cashier-toolkit
- ↑ https://www.uscurrency.gov/denominations/5
- ↑ https://www.uscurrency.gov/denominations/5
- ↑ https://www.uscurrency.gov/denominations/5
- ↑ https://www.uscurrency.gov/denominations/5
- ↑ https://finance.cornell.edu/sites/default/files/detect-counterfeit.pdf
- ↑ https://www.uscurrency.gov/denominations/5
- ↑ https://www.uscurrency.gov/sites/default/files/downloadable-materials/files/en/5-1993-2000-features-en.pdf
- ↑ https://www.uscurrency.gov/sites/default/files/downloadable-materials/files/en/5-1993-2000-features-en.pdf
- ↑ https://www.uscurrency.gov/denominations/5
- ↑ https://www.uscurrency.gov/cashier-toolkit
- ↑ https://finance.cornell.edu/sites/default/files/detect-counterfeit.pdf
- ↑ https://www.uscurrency.gov/denominations/5
- ↑ https://www.uscurrency.gov/denominations/5
- ↑ https://www.uscurrency.gov/denominations/5
- ↑ https://finance.cornell.edu/sites/default/files/detect-counterfeit.pdf
- ↑ https://finance.cornell.edu/sites/default/files/detect-counterfeit.pdf
- ↑ https://www.uscurrency.gov/denominations/5
- ↑ https://www.uscurrency.gov/denominations/bank-note-identifiers
- ↑ https://www.uscurrency.gov/history
- ↑ https://www.uscurrency.gov/cashier-toolkit
- ↑ https://finance.cornell.edu/sites/default/files/detect-counterfeit.pdf
- ↑ https://www.uscurrency.gov/sites/default/files/downloadable-materials/files/en/5-1914-1993-features-en.pdf
- ↑ https://www.uscurrency.gov/denominations/5
- ↑ https://www.uscurrency.gov/sites/default/files/downloadable-materials/files/en/5-1914-1993-features-en.pdf
- ↑ https://www.uscurrency.gov/sites/default/files/downloadable-materials/files/en/5-1914-1993-features-en.pdf
- ↑ https://www.uscurrency.gov/denominations/5
- ↑ https://finance.cornell.edu/sites/default/files/detect-counterfeit.pdf
- ↑ https://finance.cornell.edu/sites/default/files/detect-counterfeit.pdf
- ↑ https://www.federalreserve.gov/faqs/currency_12597.htm
- ↑ https://www.secretservice.gov/investigations/counterfeit
- ↑ https://www.uscurrency.gov/sites/default/files/downloadable-materials/files/en/multinote-booklet-en.pdf
- ↑ https://www.uscurrency.gov/sites/default/files/downloadable-materials/files/en/5-1914-1993-features-en.pdf
- ↑ https://finance.cornell.edu/sites/default/files/detect-counterfeit.pdf
- ↑ https://www.federalreserve.gov/faqs/currency_12597.htm
- ↑ https://www.uscurrency.gov/cashier-toolkit