1963 $5 Dollar Bill Value: How Much Is It Worth Today?

Do you have a 1963 $5 bill and are wondering if it is worth more than its face value? While old notes as well as coins can be valuable, it depends on several factors such as their condition and rarity.

In this article, we explore the value of the 1963 $5 bill including how they are valued, their history, and features. We will also look for known errors on the 1963 $5 bills and how they might increase the note’s value. So continue reading to find out if your $5 bills from 1963 are worth more than their face value.

1963 $5 Bill Value
Type	Circulated Condition	Uncirculated Condition	Star Serial Numbers
1963 $5 Bill value with a Green Seal	$5 – $6	$10 – $20	$25 – $35
1963 A $5 Bill Value with a Green Seal	$5 – $6	$10 – $20	$25 – $35
1963 $5 Bill Value with a Red Seal	$5 – $9	$15	$20

1963 $5 Bill Value with Green Seal

The green seal on the $5 bills indicates that they are Federal Reserve Notes. The signatures on the $5 bills with a green seal from 1963 bear the signatures of Clarence Douglas Dillon, the Treasury Secretary, and Kathryn Elizabeth Granahan, the Treasurer at the time.

These $5 bills were issued by ten banks in the United States with each bank having its own determined letter and number designation. As well as green seals, the notes had star serial numbers. Since banks in Richmond and Minneapolis did not print this banknote, the serial numbers only include ten different first letters.

Typically, $5 that have been in circulation are north worth more than their face value. However, notes that are in uncirculated condition with a green seal can be worth $10 to $20. If you find 1963 $5 bills with a star, they can be valued somewhat higher, usually in the region of $30 to $40 depending on what condition they are in.

The Design of the 1963 $5 Bill

The design of the 1963 $5 bill is very similar to the one in circulation today. The front of the bill features a portrait of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States. To the right of the portrait are the words “FIVE DOLLARS” and “UNITED STATES NOTE”. They are both printed in green ink.

On the back of the 1963 $5 bill is an image of the Lincoln Memorial, which is in Washington D.C. Interestingly, the same building is also on the reverse of the United States one-cent coin. Also on the back are the words “FIVE DOLLARS” on the bottom of the note and “THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” on the top of it.

The green seal is to the left of Lincoln’s portrait on the front of the note and it features an eagle with spread wings. The eagle is holding arrows and an olive branch in its talons. The words “THE FEDERAL RESERVE NOTE” are above the seal and the name of the issuing Federal Reserve Bank is below the seal, both printed in green ink.

The banknote, which is made of 75% cotton and 25% linen, is 6.14 inches long and 2.61 inches wide. The note weighs 0.03527 ounces. The overall color scheme of the 1963 $5 bill is green and black with shades of white and gray in the background.

1963 A $5 Bill Value with Green Seal

The 1963 A $5 bills with green seals feature the signatures of Treasury Secretary Henry Hammill Fowler and Treasurer Kathryn Elizabeth Granahan. These notes are valued very similarly to the other green seal $5 bills issued in the same year.

Unlike the above-mentioned 1963 green seal $5 bills, these were issued by all twelve banks, all with a determined letter and number designation. Therefore, there are twelve standard varieties and twelve corresponding banknotes that have star serial numbers.

The design of these bills is the same as the other green seal notes with Abraham Lincoln on the front and the Lincoln Memorial at the back. They also use green print for wordings such as the denomination.

Very well-preserved $5 bills from 1963 are considered worth collecting by many money collectors, however, they are generally not valued above $20, the same as the other green seal notes issued in 1963.

1963 $5 Bill Value with Red Seal

$5 bills were not issued between 1953 and 1963 and have not been issued since. The $5 bills from 1963 have the signatures of Treasury Secretary Clarence Douglas Dillon and Treasurer Kathryn Elizabeth Granahan.

The exact number of how many of these banknotes were printed in 1963 is not known but the estimate is in the region of 63 million. $5 bills from 1963 with a read seal are generally valued between $5 and $20. However, those with a star serial number and in exceptional condition can be worth up to $90.

Design of 1963 $5 Bill with Red Seal

The design of the red seal $5 bills is the same as those with a green seal with Lincoln’s portrait at the front and the Lincoln Memorial at the back. The difference is that words such as “UNITED STATES NOTE” and “FIVE DOLLARS” are printed in red ink. The seal, with the same picture and wording, is also printed fully in red ink as is the serial number.

History of the $5 Bill with Red Seal

The $5 bills with red seals were first printed in 1862 when the government began issuing United States Notes as legal paper currency. They were printed using a red seal to differentiate them from other types of currency.

Between 1862 and 1928, the bills with red seals featured portraits of different historical figures on the front, including Andrew Jackson and Alexander Hamilton. The design on the back has also changed since the first $5 bills were issued in 1862.

During the Second World War, U.S. soldiers were paid using $5 bills with red seals. To prevent them from being used by the enemy, the bills were overprinted with the words “NORTH AFRICA” and “HAWAII”.

Five dollar bills with a red seal are no longer issued. Instead, all $5 bills now feature a green seal. Because notes with red seals are no longer issued, many like to collect them. Their value depends on their rarity, historical significance, and their condition.

1963 $5 Bill with a Star Serial Number

While $5 bills from 1963 with regular serial numbers are generally valued up to $35 for green seal notes, those with stars in the serial number can be worth more. However, this does depend on the overall condition of the banknote.

If you have a $5 bill from 1963 with a star next to the serial number, it means you have a replacement note in your hands. Replacement notes were printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) to replace notes that were flawed or got damaged during the printing process.

When currency notes are printed, the sheet goes through a series of inspections for quality control. All notes issued must meet the same standards for color, design, as well as other factors. If any notes are found to have defects, such as misprints or tears, they are removed from the sheet and replaced with a ”star note”.

The star is added at the end of the serial number to indicate that it is a replacement note. This is how the BEP can track replaced notes and ensure the number of printed notes matches the number of shipped notes. Because notes with star serial numbers are less common, they are worth more when in good condition.

1963 $5 Bill Grading

The 1963 $5 bills, like all other paper currency banknotes, are graded based on their condition which ranges from poor (P) to uncirculated. The letters MS or GEM are usually used to describe the notes which are in excellent condition.

When a grader examines the note to determine its value, they will look at factors including centering, sharpness of the printed details, and crispness. They will also look for any damage or signs of wear and aging.

For example, a 1963 $5 bill with slightly faded ink but otherwise in excellent condition may receive the grade VF, meaning Very Fine. On the other hand, a note that has faded ink and shows significant wear and tear may be graded Good (G) or Very Good (VG) depending on the extent of the wear and tear.

Rare 1963 $5 Error Lists

1963 $5 Bill Misprinted Serial Number Error

Sometimes you might find $5 bills from 1963 with misaligned or misprinted serial numbers. These mistakes can make the $5 bill more valuable for collectors. However, the exact value depends on the condition of the note.

1963 $5 Bill Cutting Errors

When paper money is printed, it is printed on sheets and sometimes cutting errors can occur during the printing process. When the bills are incorrectly cut, they may have incomplete or uneven borders. Sometimes, the error can be more severe and part of the design or serial number may be cut off.

1963 $5 Bill Overprinting or Ink Smear Errors

When too much ink is applied to the printing plate, it can result in smudged or blurred details. These errors can appear on both the front and back of the note and range from barely visible to more drastic smudging or blurring.

1963 $5 Bill Foldover Errors

A foldover error will occur when a piece of the paper the money is printed on gets caught in the money press and gets folded over before it is printed. This results in notes where a portion of the design is printed on the opposite side of the note.

1963 $5 Bill Denomination Errors

Sometimes, very rarely, 1963 $5 bills may be printed with the wrong denomination. For example, they might have the denomination $10 or $20 on one side of the bill. Because these errors are rare, they can potentially increase the note’s value. How much they will increase the value, depends on the overall condition of the note.

If you have a 1963 $5 bill you think might have a valuable error or it is in otherwise mint condition, you might like to get it professionally graded.

1963 $5 Bill Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a 1963-A $5 bill worth?

The value of a 1963 A $5 bill depends largely on its condition. Notes that have been in circulation but are in good condition are only worth maybe a dollar or two over their face value.

1963 A $5 bills that are in uncirculated conditions are valued up to $20, while those with a star serial number are valued in the range of $25 and $35. Of course, there can be exceptions and some bills in an exceptional condition can be valued higher.

What does a red seal on a $5 bill mean?

The red seal was a sign that the banknote was legal currency and was used to separate the $5 bills from other currencies. The red seal has since been replaced by a green seal on all $5 bills issued in the United States.

How much is a five-dollar bill with a red seal worth?

How much the bill is worth depends on its condition. Most $5 bills with a red seal from 1963 are not worth more than their face value when they have been worn and torn in circulation. However, notes in exceptional condition may be worth more as can those with a star in the serial number. 1963 $5 bills with a red seal are usually worth around $15 in an uncirculated condition and 20 with a star serial number.