How to Identify a New Fake Five Dollar ($5) Bill

Know how to identify a fake.

In 2008, the Federal Reserve released a new $5 bill, the first to be spent at President Lincoln's Cottage which is located at the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Washington. Regarding the possibility of counterfeit bills, Federal Reserve Board official Michael Lambert said, "It only takes a few seconds to check the new five-dollar bill to make sure it's genuine. If you know how to check its security features, you can easily be confident it's real." Here's how.

Instructions

1. Hold the bill to the light to reveal its features.

2. Check the watermarks. There are two to identify. The first is a large number five located to the right of the portrait of President Lincoln. The second is a series of three small fives located to the left of the portrait.

3. Check the security thread. The security thread is an embedded strip that runs vertically through the bill. It is located to the right of the portrait. The thread displays the letters USA followed by the number 5 in an alternating pattern on both sides of the bill. The thread glows blue if it is held under an ultraviolet light.

4. Look for the colors. The new bill is marked by its unique coloring, similar to other bills in circulation, to prevent illegal reproduction. A keen eye may be able to identify this feature as well.

References

• NewMoney.gov: The Redesigned $5 Note