US $5000 Dollar Banknote (James Madison) Issued 1934

United States dollar banknotes have been issued in a wide range of denominations and series by the Federal Reserve, including this exceptionally high-value US $5000 banknote issued in 1934 and featuring James Madison. This note was produced primarily for interbank transfers and large institutional transactions and was never intended for everyday public circulation.

The $5000 banknote is printed in black and green ink on light-coloured paper and forms part of the 1934 Federal Reserve Note series. It includes traditional security features of the era, such as a green Treasury seal, green serial numbers, and a Federal Reserve district seal. Although technically legal tender in the United States, this denomination was formally withdrawn from circulation in 1969 and is no longer accepted by banks or retailers for everyday use.

On the obverse of the banknote is an engraved portrait of James Madison, the fourth President of the United States and a key architect of the US Constitution. Madison’s portrait is centrally positioned within an oval frame, surrounded by elaborate scrollwork and detailed guilloché engraving. The wording “The United States of America” appears prominently across the top, with the denomination “Five Thousand Dollars” clearly displayed along the lower border.

The reverse of the note features an ornate engraved design with large denomination numerals and decorative framing, emphasising the note’s high face value. Unlike lower-denomination banknotes, the reverse design focuses on formal symmetry and engraving detail rather than pictorial scenes, reflecting its use in official and financial transactions.

This $5000 series is notable for its rarity, historical importance, and museum-grade engraving quality. While it remains legal tender under US law, it is considered a withdrawn and legacy banknote and is typically handled today as a collectible or specialist financial item rather than spendable currency.

• Indicate the quantity of US $5000 banknotes you want to exchange

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• Your online account now shows the exchange value

If you are looking to exchange high-value or withdrawn US dollar banknotes, we provide a secure and specialist UK service for legacy United States currency. Many banks will not accept large-denomination US notes, particularly withdrawn issues such as the $5000 series, but we regularly handle these notes for individuals, charities, and businesses.

Due to their rarity and value, US $5000 banknotes typically require additional authentication and verification checks. As a result, processing times may be longer than standard banknote exchanges.

For all high-value transactions, we will require valid identification in order to comply with Anti-Money Laundering Regulations (AMLR).