The U.S. currency has been through several changes over the years, making it tricky to tell a real $5 from a fake.

Sometimes the counterfeit money actually says that it is fake or a replica like this one.

Jeff Wheeler
Jeff Wheeler
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There are also special pens to help you quickly identify a fake bill.

https://www.drimark.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-counterfeit-detector-pens/
https://www.drimark.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-counterfeit-detector-pens/
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Wait, did Grandpa Print Money?

Recently my husband came across a little box full of old coins and dollars that have been in the family. There were plenty of two-dollar bills, that would be quite confusing to shop with. We found fifty-cent pieces that would weigh your purse down a lot. Then we noticed this strange-looking five-dollar bill.

Liberty
Liberty
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Seeing Red

Normally, the seal and the serial number are not red, so I didn't know what to make of this. The paper currency that we use has changed slightly through the years. In fact, you can see the history of our currency at uscurrency.gov. But, even with all of that information and the different graphics, I still could not find any information about this red print on my five-dollar bill.

Money For Sale

I did a little search on ebay to see if any of these strange red seal bills were actually for sale. Let me tell you, I held my breath for a second when I found this listing:

 1953C $5 LEGAL TENDER, RED SEAL *STAR* NOTE $155 Plus $4.99 Shipping

ebay
ebay
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There are a couple of very important differences in my five-dollar bill and the one that is a Star edition and it is Series C. Mine, on the other hand, does not have a star, and it is Series B.

1953-B RED SEAL $5 FIVE-DOLLAR NOTE $12.99 Plus $4 Shipping

ebay
ebay
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Well, my sad little red seal five-dollar bill is not in the perfect condition as this one is. But, we learned a little about the history of money.

There's an App for That

With Cash Assist’s suite of tools, you can learn to quickly locate and understand the security features of the cash in your hands. You can use your phone’s camera, to help you make decisions.

Excuse me while I go spend my $5 at Target

See The Amazing 2022 Updates Inside Southern Indiana Target Stores

Target has been planning some major renovations in their stores. The Eastside Evansville, IN location's reset, should be completed very soon.
6625 E Lloyd Expy, Evansville, IN 47715

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Calling all Geeks, Cosplayers, and Collectors - Mark your calendar for Saturday, December 10, and Sunday, December 11, for Evansville Raptor Con 2022.


  • National Guard Armory 3300 E. Division Street, Evansville, Indiana 47712
  • Get Tickets HERE

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