The 1988 5 Dollar Bill
The 1988 5 Dollar Bill, including the 1988A series, was printed from March 1989 through October 1994. While most circulated notes are only worth face value, there are certain factors that can increase the value of a 1988 $5 bill. These factors include special serial number ranges, exceptional quality, or interesting errors.
Series and Varieties
- Series: 1988, 1988A
- Denomination: $5 USD
- Seal Varieties: (1) Green
- Signature Varieties: (2) 1988 Katherine Dávalos Ortega – Nicholas F Brady, 1988A Catalina Vásquez Villalpando – Nicholas F Brady
- Regular Varieties: (12) Boston (A), New York (B), Philadelphia (C), Cleveland (D), Richmond (E), Atlanta (F), Chicago (G), St. Louis (H), Minneapolis (I), Kansas City (J), Dallas (K), San Francisco (L)
- Star Note Varieties: 1988 (3) Boston (A), New York (B), Atlanta (F) 1988A (9) Boston (A), New York (B), Cleveland (D), Richmond (E), Atlanta (F), Chicago (G), St. Louis (H), Minneapolis (I), San Francisco (L)
- Regular Notes Printed: 1988 – 1,081,600,000, 1988A – 4,115,200,000
- Regular Star Notes Printed: 1988 – 6,016,000, 1988A – 30,336,000
In the center of the obverse of the 1988 $5 bill is a portrait of Abraham Lincoln. Above the portrait, it is written ‘THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA’. To the right of the portrait is the serial number, which in this case is B02269627*, making this five-dollar Federal Reserve note a star replacement note. Below the serial number is the Department of the Treasury seal, which is green and has the letters FIVE written across it. At the bottom right, it is written “Series 1988” and bears the signature of the Secretary of the Treasury, Nicholas F Brady.
On the left side of the Lincoln portrait, it is written, ‘This note is legal tender for all debts, public and private’. Below this is the Federal Reserve Banking District that the $5 bill was printed for. In this case, it is ‘B’ for New York. Underneath this is the serial number again, and below that is the signature of the Treasurer of the United States, Katherine Dávalos Ortega. At the bottom center of the 1988 5 dollar bill, it is written ‘FIVE DOLLARS’.
On the reverse side of the 1988 5 dollar bill is an image of the Lincoln Memorial with the inscription ‘IN GOD WE TRUST’. Above this is written, ‘THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA’, and at the bottom, it is written ‘FIVE DOLLARS’.
How Much Is The 1988 5 Dollar Bill Worth?
The value of the 1988 5 Dollar Bill can vary depending on its condition and certain features. Generally, circulated notes are worth face value. However, if you have a 1988 $5 bill with special serial number ranges, exceptional quality, or an interesting error, it may have a higher value.
The value of a regular 1988 $5 bill ranges from Very Fine (20-35) $6 to GEM CU (65) $18. If your 1988 five dollar bill is a star replacement note, then one in Very Fine (20-35) condition is worth about $20, and a GEM CU (65) is worth $50. Star replacement notes can be identified by checking the serial number, which will have a star symbol in it, such as A00076001*.
The most valuable star notes were issued for the Boston district Federal Reserve Bank, as only 768,000 of these were printed. They are worth upwards of $100 in GEM CU (65) condition.
How Much Is The 1988A 5 Dollar Bill Worth?
The 1988A series of the five dollar Federal Reserve Note was printed from July 1990 through October 1994. These bills were printed at both the Bureau of Engraving and Printing facilities in Fort Worth and Washington DC. At the time of printing, Catalina Vásquez Villalpando was the Treasurer of the United States, and Nicholas F Brady was the Secretary of the Treasury.
The 1988A series has the same value as the 1988 FRN. The value of a regular 1988A $5 bill ranges from Very Fine (20-35) $6 to GEM CU (65) $18. Similarly, star notes from the 1988A series can be more valuable than regular notes. Star notes from Washington DC are worth Very Fine (20-35) $15 to GEM CU (65) $40, while star notes from Fort Worth are worth Very Fine (20-35) $15 to GEM CU (65) $30.
Star notes from certain banking districts are particularly rare and valuable. For example, star notes from the Minneapolis and Atlanta (Fort Worth) districts can be worth around $150 in GEM (65) grade. This is because only 620,000 star notes were printed in Fort Worth for the Atlanta bank and 128,000 in Washington DC for the Minneapolis bank.
If you are interested in collecting coins and notes, you can find more information and discover other items to collect at LostTreasureHQ.com.
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