PRESS RELEASE


WASHINGTON, DC, Sept. 20 - The U.S. government today digitally unveiled a new, more secure design for the $5 bill that will be issued and enter circulation in early 2008. A new $100 bill will follow. This is the first time in history that U.S. paper money has ever been unveiled entirely online.

Similar to recently redesigned $10, $20 and $50 bills, the new $5 bill incorporates improved, easy-to-use security features, making it easier for businesses and consumers to check the new $5 bills they receive and more difficult for counterfeiters to fake.

Officials from the U.S. Treasury, Federal Reserve Board, Bureau of Engraving and Printing, and U.S. Secret Service were part of today's "Wi-5" preview, an entirely digital event which emphasized the government's commitment to staying ahead of counterfeiters. The live "unveiling" of the $5 bill design, which featured government officials discussing currency security efforts, took place on www.moneyfactory.gov/newmoney and also included an online Q&A for news reporters. Podcasts featuring important information about the new $5 bill are also posted on the site.

"The government uses the best tools available so that it will be unlikely that you will receive a counterfeit bill," said Treasurer of the United States, Anna Escobedo Cabral. "Improved security features are at the heart of this currency series - security features that are easy for everyone to use. Learn how to use them, so you don't lose your hard-earned money in the unlikely event that someone tries to pass a counterfeit bill to you."

The new $5 bill incorporates state-of-the-art security features that are easy to use by cash handlers and consumers alike.

Hold the bills up to the light to check for these features:

Watermarks: There are now two watermarks on the redesigned $5 bill. A large number "5" watermark is located to the right of the portrait replacing the previous watermark portrait of President Lincoln found on the older design $5 bills. A second watermark - a column of three smaller "5"s has been added to the new $5 bill design and is positioned to the left of the portrait.

Security Thread: The embedded security thread runs vertically and is now located to the right of the portrait on the redesigned $5 bill. The letters "USA" followed by the number "5" in an alternating pattern are visible along the thread from both sides of the bill. The thread glows blue when held under ultraviolet light.

"Our goal is to seamlessly introduce the redesigned bills to the public by working primarily with financial institutions in the United States and around the world, as well as with foreign central banks," said Michael Lambert, Assistant Director, Division of Reserve Bank Operations and Payment Systems, Federal Reserve Board. "There is no need to trade in your old $5 bills for new ones. All U.S. currency issued by the U.S. government - oldand new - is legal tender and continues to be redeemable at full face value."

Because the $5 bill is heavily used in vending and transit farecard machines, the U.S. government began informing the manufacturers and end-users of those machines about the upcoming new $5 bill more than a year ago, to provide ample time to adjust them to accept the new design.

As with the redesigned $10, $20 and $50 bills that preceded it, the new $5 bill features an American symbol of freedom printed in the background: The Great Seal of the United States, featuring an eagle and shield, is printed in purple on the front of the bill.

Additional design elements include:

The large easy-to-read number "5" in the lower right corner on the back of the bill, which helps those with visual impairments to distinguish the denomination, has been enlarged in the new $5 bill design, and is printed in high-contrast purple ink.

The oval borders around President Lincoln's portrait on the front, and the Lincoln Memorial vignette on the back have been removed. Both engravings have been enhanced.

An arc of purple stars surrounds the portrait and The Great Seal on the front of the bill, and small yellow "05"s are printed on the front and back of the bill.


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