NUVEEN TAX FREE UNIT TRUST SERIES 993
487, 1998-04-08
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<PAGE>
                                                    FILE NO. 333-47431
                                                    40 ACT FILE NO. 811-2271
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                                AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                       TO
                                    FORM S-6
 
For  Registration  under  the  Securities  Act of  1933  of  Securities  of Unit
Investment Trusts Registered on
Form N-8B-2
 
   
<TABLE>
<S> <C>                 <C>
A.  Exact name of Trust: NUVEEN TAX-FREE UNIT TRUST, SERIES 993
 
B.  Name of Depositor:  JOHN NUVEEN & CO. INCORPORATED
 
C.  Complete address of Depositor's principal executive offices:
 
                        333 West Wacker Drive
                        Chicago, Illinois 60606
 
D.  Name and complete address of agents for service:
 
                        JOHN NUVEEN & CO. INCORPORATED
                        Attn: Gifford R. Zimmerman
                        333 West Wacker Drive
                        Chicago, Illinois 60606
 
                        CHAPMAN AND CUTLER
                        Attn: Eric F. Fess
                        111 West Monroe Street
                        Chicago, Illinois 60603
 
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)
 
/ / immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
 
/ / on April 8, 1998 pursuant to paragraph (b)
/ / 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)
 
/ / on April 8, 1998 pursuant to paragraph (a) of rule 485 or 486
E.  Title of  securities  being registered:  Units  of undivided  fractional  beneficial
    interest.
 
F.  Approximate  date of proposed sale  to the public: As  soon as practicable after the
    effective date of the Registration Statement.
 
/X/ Check box if it is proposed that this filing will become effective on April 8,  1998
    at 1:30 P.M. pursuant to Rule 487.
</TABLE>
    
 
<PAGE>
                     NUVEEN TAX-FREE UNIT TRUST, SERIES 993
 
                             CROSS-REFERENCE SHEET
 
                    PURSUANT TO RULE 404(C) OF REGULATION C
                        UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
 
                (FORM N-8B-2 ITEMS REQUIRED BY INSTRUCTION 1 AS
                           TO PROSPECTUS ON FORM S-6)
 
<TABLE>
<C>  <S>  <C>                                          <C> <C>
FORM N-8B-2                                                FORM S-6
ITEM NUMBER                                                HEADING IN PROSPECTUS
 
          I. ORGANIZATION AND GENERAL INFORMATION
 1.  (a)  Name of trust                                 )  Prospectus Part A -- Cover Page
     (b)  Title of securities issued                    )
 2.  Name and address of Depositor                      )  Information About the Sponsor
 3.  Name and address of Trustee                        )  Information About the Trustee
 4.  Name and address of principal Underwriter          )  Information About the Sponsor
 5.  Organization of trust                              )  What Is The Nuveen Tax-Free Unit Trust?
 6.  Execution and termination of Trust Agreement       )  What Is The Nuveen Tax-Free Unit Trust?
                                                        )  Information About The Trustee
                                                        )  Other Information
 7.  Changes of Name                                    )  *
 8.  Fiscal Year                                        )
 9.  Litigation                                         )
 
          II. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST AND SECURITIES OF THE TRUST
10.  General Information regarding trust's securities   )  Summary of Portfolios
                                                        )  Why and How are the Bonds Insured?
                                                        )  When Are Distributions Made to Unitholders?
                                                        )  Ownership and Transfer of Units
                                                        )  How Units May Be Redeemed Without Charge?
                                                        )  How Bonds May Be Removed From The Trusts?
                                                        )  Information About the Trustee
                                                        )  Information About the Sponsor
                                                        )  Other Information
                                                        )  What Is The Tax Status of Unitholders?
11.  Type of securities comprising units                )  What Is The Nuveen Tax-Free Unit Trust?
                                                        )  Summary of Portfolios
                                                        )  Composition of Trusts
                                                        )  What Are The Objectives Of The Trusts?
                                                        )  Why and How are the Bonds Insured?
12.  Certain information regarding                      )  *
     periodic payment certificates                      )
13.  (a)  Load, fees, expenses, etc.                    )  Part A -- Essential Information
                                                        )  How Is The Public Offering Price Determined?
                                                        )  Market For Units
                                                        )  What Is Accrued Interest?
                                                        )  What Are Estimated Long Term Return
                                                        )  And Estimated Current Return?
                                                        )  How Was The Price Of The Bonds
                                                        )  Determined At The Date of Deposit?
                                                        )  What Are Normal Trust Operating Expenses?
                                                        )  When Are Distributions Made To Unitholders?
                                                        )  Summary Of Portfolios
                                                        )  How Detailed Are Reports To Unitholders?
     (b)  Certain information regarding                 )  *
          periodic payment certificates                 )
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<C>  <S>  <C>                                          <C> <C>
     (c)  Certain percentages                           )  How Is The Public Offering Price Determined?
                                                        )  Market For Units
                                                        )  What Are Estimated Long Term Return
                                                        )  And Estimated Current Return?
                                                        )  How Was The Price Of The Bonds
                                                        )  Determined At The Date Of Deposit?
                                                        )  What Is Accrued Interest?
     (d)  Certain other fees, etc. payable by holders   )  How Was The Price Of The Bonds Determined
                                                        )  At The Date Of Deposit?
                                                        )  What Are Normal Trust Operating Expenses?
                                                        )  Ownership And Transfer Of Units
     (e)  Certain profits receivable by depositor,      )  Composition Of Trusts
          principal underwriter, trustee or             )
          affiliated persons                            )
                                                        )  How Units May Be Purchased By The Sponsor
 
     (f)  Ratio of annual charges to income             )  *
14.  Issuance of trust's securities                     )  Summary of Portfolios
                                                        )  When Are Distributions Made To Unitholders?
                                                        )  Ownership and Transfer of Units
                                                        )  How Units May Be Redeemed Without Charge
15.  Receipt and handling of payments                   )  *
     from purchasers                                    )
16.  Acquisition and Disposition of                     )  What Is The Nuveen Tax-Free Unit Trust?
     Underlying Securities                              )
                                                        )  Summary of Portfolios
                                                        )  Composition of Trusts
                                                        )  Why and How are the Bonds Insured?
                                                        )  How Units May Be Redeemed Without Charge
                                                        )  How Bonds May Be Removed From The Trusts
                                                        )  Other Information
17.  Withdrawal or redemption                           )  Market For Units
                                                        )  How Units May Be Redeemed Without Charge
                                                        )  How Units May Be Purchased By The Sponsor
18.  (a)  Receipt and disposition of income             )  Summary of Portfolios
                                                        )  When Are Distributions Made To Unitholders?
                                                        )  How Detailed Are Reports To Unitholders?
     (b)  Reinvestment of distributions                 )  Accumulation Plan
     (c)  Reserves or special funds                     )  Summary of Portfolios
                                                        )  When Are Distributions Made To Unitholders?
     (d)  Schedule of distributions                     )  *
19.  Records, accounts and reports                      )  When Are Distributions Made To Unitholders?
                                                        )  How Detailed Are Reports To Unitholders?
20.  Certain miscellaneous provisions of                )  Information About the Trustee
     Trust Agreement                                    )
                                                        )  Information About the Sponsor
                                                        )  Other Information
21.  Loans to security holders                          )  *
22.  Limitations on liability                           )  Summary of Portfolios
                                                        )  Composition of Trusts
                                                        )  Information About The Trustee
23.  Bond arrangements                                  )  *
24.  Other material provisions of Trust Agreement.      )  *
 
          III. ORGANIZATION, PERSONNEL AND AFFILIATED PERSONS OF DEPOSITOR
25.  Organization of Depositor                          )  Information About the Sponsor
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<C>  <S>  <C>                                          <C> <C>
26.  Fees received by Depositor                         )  *
27.  Business of Depositor                              )  Information About the Sponsor
28.  Certain information as to officials                )  *
     and affiliated persons of Depositor                )
29.  Voting Securities of Depositor                     )  Information About the Sponsor
30.  Persons controlling Depositor                      )
31.  Payments by Depositor for certain                  )
     services rendered to trust                         )
32.  Payments by Depositor for certain                  )  *
     other services rendered to trust                   )
33.  Remuneration of employees of Depositor             )
     for certain services rendered to trust             )
34.  Remuneration of other persons for                  )
     certain services rendered to trust                 )
 
          IV. DISTRIBUTION AND REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES
35.  Distribution of trust's securities by states       )  *
36.  Suspension of sales of trust's securities          )
37.  Revocation of authority to distribute              )
38.  (a)  Method of distribution                        )
     (b)  Underwriting agreements                       )  How Units of The Trusts Are
                                                        )  Distributed To The Public
     (c)  Selling agreement                             )
39.  (a)  Organization of principal underwriter         )  Information About The Sponsor
     (b)  NASD membership of principal underwriter      )
40.  Certain fees received by principal underwriter     )  *
41.  (a)  Business of principal underwriter             )
     (b)  Branch offices of principal underwriter       )  *
     (c)  Salesmen of principal underwriter             )
42.  Ownership of trust's securities by                 )  *
     certain persons                                    )
43.  Certain brokerage commissions received             )  *
     by principal underwriter                           )
44.  (a)  Method of valuation                           )  Part A -- Essential Information
                                                        )  How Is The Public Offering Price Determined?
                                                        )  How Was The Price Of The Bonds
                                                        )  Determined At The Date of Deposit?
                                                        )  What Are Normal Trust Operating Expenses?
     (b)  Schedule as to offering price                 )  *
     (c)  Variation in offering price to                )  How Is the Public Offering Price
          certain persons                               )  Determined?
                                                        )  What Is Accrued Interest?
                                                        )  How Was The Price Of The Bonds
                                                        )  Determined At The Date of Deposit?
45.  Suspension of redemption rights                    )  *
46.  (a)  Redemption valuation                          )  Unit Value and Evaluation
                                                        )  How Units May Be Redeemed Without Charge
                                                        )  How Units May Be Purchased By The Sponsor
     (b)  Schedule as to redemption price               )  *
47.  Maintenance of position in underlying              )  How Is the Public Offering Price
     securities                                         )  Determined?
                                                        )  How Units May Be Purchased By The Sponsor
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<C>  <S>  <C>                                          <C> <C>
          V. INFORMATION CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE OR CUSTODIAN
48.  Organization and regulation of Trustee             )  Information About The Trustee
49.  Fees and expenses of Trustee                       )  Part A -- Essential Information
                                                        )  What Are Normal Trust Operating Expenses?
50.  Trustee's lien                                     )  What Are Normal Trust Operating Expenses?
                                                        )  When Are Distributions Made To Unitholders?
 
          VI. INFORMATION CONCERNING INSURANCE OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
51.  Insurance of holders of trust's securities         )  *
 
          VII. POLICY OF REGISTRANT
52.  (a)  Provisions of trust agreement with            )  What Are Normal Trust Operating
          respect to selection or elimination           )  Expenses?
          of underlying securities                      )
                                                        )  How Units May Be Redeemed Without Charge
                                                        )  How Bonds May Be Removed From The Trusts
     (b)  Transactions involving elimination            )  *
          of underlying securities                      )
     (c)  Policy regarding substitution or              )  Summary of Portfolios
          elimination of underlying securities          )
                                                        )  Composition of Trusts
                                                        )  How Bonds May Be Removed From The Trusts
     (d)  Fundamental policy not otherwise covered      )  *
53.  Tax status of trust                                )  What Is The Tax Status Of Unitholders?
 
          VIII. FINANCIAL AND STATISTICAL INFORMATION
54.  Trust's securities during last ten years           )  *
55.                                                     )
56.  Certain information regarding                      )  *
     periodic payment certificate                       )
57.                                                     )
58.                                                     )
</TABLE>
 
- ---------
 
* Inapplicable, omitted, answer negative or not required.
<PAGE>
   
                                 APRIL 8, 1998
                             SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
    
                                           A
   
NUVEEN              NUVEEN CONNECTICUT TRADITIONAL TRUST 292
                    (NUVEEN TAX-FREE UNIT TRUST, SERIES 993)
    
 
                                               CUSIP NUMBERS:
   
                                               Monthly:               67064X 463
                                               Quarterly:             67064X 471
                                               Semi-Annually:         67064X 489
    
 
   
              PROSPECTUS--PART A (SPECIFIC TERMS) -- APRIL 8, 1998
 THIS PART A OF THE PROSPECTUS MAY NOT BE DISTRIBUTED UNLESS ACCOMPANIED BY THE
                                   PART B OF
  THE NUVEEN TAX-FREE UNIT TRUSTS PROSPECTUS DATED JULY 8, 1997, TO WHICH SUCH
                                   REFERENCE
   HEREIN APPLIES. BOTH PARTS OF THE PROSPECTUS SHOULD BE RETAINED FOR FUTURE
                                   REFERENCE.
    
 
   
    Connecticut  Traditional Trust 292 (the "Trust")  consists of a portfolio of
interest-bearing obligations issued by or on behalf of the State of Connecticut,
certain United  States Territories  or  authorities and  political  subdivisions
thereof  which,  in  the  opinion  of recognized  bond  counsel  to  the issuing
authorities, provide  income  which  is  exempt  from  Federal  income  tax  and
Connecticut income tax to the extent indicated below.
    
 
    The  objectives of the Trust are income exempt from Federal and state income
taxes, and conservation  of capital.  The objectives are,  of course,  dependent
upon  the continuing  ability of the  issuers, obligors and/or  insurers to meet
their respective obligations.
 
   
    The Portfolio of  the Trust  consists of  7 obligations  issued by  entities
located  in Connecticut and  one obligation issued  by an entity  located in the
Territory of Puerto Rico. The Bonds in the Trust are either general  obligations
of  the governmental  entity issuing  them and  are backed  by the  taxing power
thereof or  are payable  as  to principal  and interest  from  the income  of  a
specific  project or authority  and are not  supported by the  issuer's power to
levy taxes. The sources of payment for the Bonds are divided as follows:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
     NUMBER OF                                              PORTFOLIO
      ISSUES                PURPOSE OF ISSUE                PERCENTAGE
  ---------------  ----------------------------------------------------
  <C>              <S>                                     <C>
         5         General Obligation                           57.7   %
         1         Dedicated-Tax Supported Revenue              14.3
         1         Education Revenue                            14.3
         1         Health Care Facility Revenue                 13.7
</TABLE>
    
 
   
    Approximately 14.3% of the  aggregate principal amount of  the Bonds in  the
Trust (accounting for approximately 14.2% of the aggregate offering price of the
Bonds)  are original issue discount bonds. See  "RISK FACTORS" in Part B of this
Prospectus for a discussion  of the characteristics of  such obligations and  of
the risks associated therewith.
    
 
    For  a discussion of the  risks associated with investments  in the bonds of
various issuers, see "RISK FACTORS" in Part B of this Prospectus. Certain of the
Bonds may be insured by a commercial insurer, see "Schedule of Investments"  and
"WHY AND HOW ARE THE BONDS INSURED?" in Part B of this Prospectus.
 
   
                             ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
             REGARDING THE NUVEEN CONNECTICUT TRADITIONAL TRUST 292
        ON THE BUSINESS DAY PRIOR TO THE DATE OF DEPOSIT, APRIL 7, 1998
    
         Sponsor and Evaluator.......... John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated
         Trustee.............................. The Chase Manhattan Bank
                  -------------------------------------------
 
The  income, expense and distribution data  set forth below have been calculated
for  Unitholders  receiving  monthly,  quarterly  or  semi-annual   distribution
options.
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                   <C>
Principal Amount of Bonds in Trust..................  $     1,750,000
Number of Units.....................................           17,500
Fractional Undivided Interest in Trust Per Unit.....         1/17,500
Public Offering Price--Less than 500 Units
    Aggregate Offering Price of Bonds in Trust......  $     1,731,575
    Divided by Number of Units......................  $         98.95
    Plus Sales Charge 4.9% (5.152% of the Aggregate
     Offering Price of the Bonds per Unit)..........  $          5.10
    Public Offering Price Per Unit(1)...............  $        104.05
Redemption Price Per Unit (exclusive of accrued
  interest).........................................  $         98.61
Sponsor's Initial Repurchase Price Per Unit
  (exclusive of accrued interest)...................  $         98.95
Excess of Public Offering Price Per Unit over
  Redemption Price Per Unit.........................  $          5.44
Excess of Public Offering Price Per Unit over
  Sponsor's Repurchase Price Per Unit...............  $          5.10
Average Maturity of Bonds in the Trust(2)...........       23.0 years
</TABLE>
    
 
- ----------
 
THESE  SECURITIES HAVE  NOT BEEN APPROVED  OR DISAPPROVED BY  THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR HAS THE COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR  ADEQUACY
OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
Information   contained  herein  is  subject   to  completion  or  amendment.  A
registration statement  relating to  these securities  has been  filed with  the
Securities  and Exchange  Commission. These securities  may not be  sold nor may
offers to buy be accepted prior  to the time the registration statement  becomes
effective.  This  Prospectus  shall  not  constitute an  offer  to  sell  or the
solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these  securities
in  any State in which such offer,  solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior
to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any State.
 
                                     1 of 7
<PAGE>
                         ESSENTIAL INFORMATION (CONT.)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  MONTHLY        QUARTERLY      SEMI-ANNUAL
                                                -----------     -----------     -----------
  <S>                                           <C>             <C>             <C>
  Calculation of Estimated Net Annual
    Interest Income Per Unit
      Annual Interest Income(3)............        $ 4.9993        $ 4.9993       $ 4.9993
      Less Estimated Annual Expense........         $ .2575         $ .2255        $ .2065
                                                -----------     -----------     -----------
      Estimated Net Annual Interest
        Income(4)..........................        $ 4.7418        $ 4.7738       $ 4.7928
  Daily Rate of Accrual Per Unit...........        $ .01317        $ .01326       $ .01331
  ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN(5)..............            4.56%           4.59%          4.61 %
  ESTIMATED LONG TERM RETURN(5)............            4.52%           4.55%          4.57 %
  Trustee's Annual Fees(6).................        $ 1.4827        $ 1.1627       $ 0.9727
Date of Deposit......................................................................................April 8, 1998
Settlement Date.....................................................................................April 14, 1998
Mandatory Termination Date....................................See "OTHER INFORMATION" in Part B of this Prospectus
Minimum Value of Each Trust...................................See "OTHER INFORMATION" in Part B of this Prospectus
Sponsor's Annual Evaluation Fee.........................................$0.17 per $1,000 principal amount of Bonds
Estimated Annual Organizational and Offering Expenses(7)..........................................$.02971 per Unit
- ----------
</TABLE>
    
 
The evaluation time for purpose  of sale, purchase or  redemption of Units is  4
p.m. Eastern time or as of any earlier time at which the New York Stock Exchange
closes.  (See "HOW IS THE  PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE DETERMINED?"  in Part B of this
Prospectus.)
 
   
(1) Units are offered at  the Public Offering Price  plus accrued interest  from
    the  preceding Record  Date to,  but not  including, the  date of settlement
    (normally three business days  after purchase). The Date  of Deposit of  the
    Fund  has  been  designated  as  the First  Record  Date  for  all  plans of
    distribution of the Trust and, accordingly, for Units purchased on the  Date
    of Deposit, $.08 of accrued interest to the Settlement Date will be added to
    the  Public Offering Price.  (See "WHAT IS  ACCRUED INTEREST?" in  Part B of
    this Prospectus.)
    
 
(2) The Average Maturity  of Bonds  in the Trust  is calculated  based upon  the
    stated  maturities of the Bonds in the  Trust (or, with respect to Bonds for
    which funds or securities have been placed in escrow to redeem such Bonds on
    a stated call  date, based  upon such call  date). The  Average Maturity  of
    Bonds  in the  Trust may  increase or  decrease from  time to  time as Bonds
    mature or are called or sold.
 
(3) Assumes delivery of  all Bonds.  (See "COMPOSITION OF  TRUSTS" appearing  in
    Part  B of this  Prospectus.) Interest income does  not include accretion of
    original issue  discount on  "zero coupon"  Bonds, Stripped  Obligations  or
    other  original issue discount Bonds. (See "RISK  FACTORS" in Part B of this
    Prospectus.)
 
(4) The amount and  timing of interest  distributions from the  Trust under  the
    various  plans of distribution  are set forth below.  It is anticipated that
    the amount of interest to  be distributed per Unit  in each year under  each
    plan  of distribution will initially be substantially equal to the Estimated
    Net Annual Interest Income per Unit for that plan. The amount of interest to
    be distributed  annually  per  Unit,  will generally  change  as  Bonds  are
    redeemed, mature or are sold or as fees and expenses increase or decrease.
 
(5) Estimated  Long  Term Return  for the  Trust represents  the average  of the
    yields to  maturity  (or  call)  of  the  Bonds  in  the  Trust's  portfolio
    calculated  in  accordance  with  accepted bond  practices  and  adjusted to
    reflect a compounding factor, expenses and sales charges. Estimated  Current
    Return  is computed by dividing  the Net Annual Interest  Income per Unit by
    the Public Offering  Price, and in  contrast to Estimated  Long Term  Return
    does  not reflect the  amortization of premium or  accretion of discount, if
    any. For  more information  see "WHAT  ARE ESTIMATED  LONG TERM  RETURN  AND
    ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN?" in Part B of this Prospectus.
 
(6) Each  Trustee annual  fee is per  $1,000 principal amount  of the underlying
    Bonds in  the  Trust  for  that  portion of  the  Trust  that  represents  a
    particular plan of distribution.
 
(7) The  Trust (and  therefore Unitholders)  will bear all  or a  portion of its
    organizational  and  offering  costs  (including  costs  of  preparing   the
    registration  statements, the  trust indenture and  other closing documents,
    registering Units with  the Securities and  Exchange Commission and  states,
    the  initial audit  of the Trust  portfolio, initial  evaluation fees, legal
    fees and the initial fees and expenses of the Trustee but not including  the
    expenses incurred in the printing of preliminary and final prospectuses, and
    expenses  incurred in  the preparation and  printing of  brochures and other
    advertising materials  and any  other  selling expenses)  as is  common  for
    mutual  funds. Total organizational  expenses will be  amortized over a five
    year period. See "WHAT  ARE NORMAL TRUST OPERATING  EXPENSES?" in Part B  of
    this  Prospectus and "Statement of Condition." Historically, the sponsors of
    unit investment trusts have paid all the costs of establishing such trusts.
 
                                     2 of 7
<PAGE>
                             INTEREST DISTRIBUTION
 
    Details of interest distributions  per Unit of the  Trust under the  various
plans  appear in  the following table  based upon estimated  Net Annual Interest
Income at the Date of Deposit:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                          NORMAL
                                                                                                      DISTRIBUTIONS
                                                         1998                          1999              PER YEAR
<S>                                     <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------------
Record Date*..........................        5/1            8/1           11/1            2/1
Distribution Date.....................       5/15           8/15          11/15           2/15
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monthly Distribution Plan.............  $   .3029(1)                                                  $  4.7418
                                                            --------$.3951 every month--------
Quarterly Distribution Plan...........  $   .3029(1)   $  1.1934(2)   $  1.1934      $  1.1934        $  4.7738
Semi-Annual Distribution Plan.........  $   .3029(1)                  $  2.3958(3)                    $  4.7928
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
    
 
_*_ Record Dates for  semi-annual distributions are  May 1 and  November 1;  for
    quarterly  distributions, they are February 1,  May 1, August 1 and November
    1. Record Dates for monthly distributions  are the first day of each  month.
    Distribution Dates under each distribution plan are the fifteenth day of the
    month   in  which  the  respective  Record  Date  occurred.  For  additional
    information see "WHEN ARE DISTRIBUTIONS MADE  TO UNITHOLDERS?" in Part B  of
    this Prospectus.
 
(1)_ The  first distribution will be paid  to all Unitholders, regardless of the
     distribution plan selected. Such  distribution may be more  or less than  a
     regular monthly distribution.
 
(2)_ Regular 3-month distribution.
 
(3) Regular 6-month distribution.
 
                            CONNECTICUT RISK FACTORS
 
    The  financial condition of the State  of Connecticut is affected by various
national,  economic,   social  and   environmental  policies   and   conditions.
Additionally,  Constitutional and statutory limitations imposed on the State and
its local governments concerning taxes, bond indebtedness and other matters  may
constrain the revenue-generating capacity of the State and its local governments
and,  therefore,  the ability  of  the issuers  of  the Bonds  to  satisfy their
obligations.
 
    The economic vitality of the State  and its various regions and,  therefore,
the  ability of the  State and its  local governments to  satisfy the Bonds, are
affected  by  numerous  factors.  The  State's  economic  base  is  diversified,
consisting  of manufacturing, construction  and service industries, supplemented
by rural areas with selective commercial agriculture. The State has a relatively
high wage  labor  market which  has  resulted  in the  State's  business  sector
becoming more vulnerable to competitive pressures.
 
    The State is a party to numerous lawsuits in which an adverse final decision
could materially affect the State's governmental operations and consequently its
ability to pay debt service on its obligations.
 
    The  State of Connecticut  currently maintains a "AA-",  "Aa3" and "AA" bond
rating from Standard  & Poor's,  Moody's and  Fitch IBCA,  Inc. (formerly  Fitch
Investors Service, L.P.), respectively, on its general obligation indebtedness.
 
    Further information concerning Connecticut risk factors may be obtained upon
written   or  telephonic  request   to  the  Trustee   as  described  in  "OTHER
INFORMATION--Supplemental Information" appearing in Part B of this Prospectus.
 
                                   TAX STATUS
 
    For a discussion of the Federal tax status of income earned on Trust  Units,
see  "WHAT IS  THE TAX  STATUS OF  UNITHOLDERS?" in  Part B  of this Prospectus.
Investors should  be aware  that on  August 5,  1997, the  President signed  the
Taxpayer  Relief Act  of 1997  (the "Act"). The  Act reduces  the maximum stated
marginal tax rate for capital gains  for certain investments held for more  than
18  months to  20 percent (10  percent in the  case of certain  taxpayers in the
lowest tax bracket). The Act also  includes provisions that would treat  certain
transactions  designed to reduce or eliminate risk of loss and opportunities for
gain (e.g., short  sales, offsetting  notional principal  contracts, futures  or
forward  contracts, or similar transactions)  as constructive sales for purposes
of recognition  of gain  (and not  loss)  and for  purposes of  determining  the
holding  period.  Potential  investors  should consult  their  own  tax advisors
regarding the potential effect of the Act on their investment in Units.
 
    The assets of the Trust will consist  of obligations issued by or on  behalf
of   the  State  of   Connecticut  or  its   political  subdivisions  or  public
instrumentalities, state  or local  authorities,  districts, or  similar  public
entities  created under the laws of the State  of Connecticut or by or on behalf
of a United States  territory or possession the  interest on the obligations  of
which Federal law would prohibit Connecticut from taxing if received directly by
a  Unitholder (the "Bonds"). Certain Bonds in  the Trust that were issued by the
State of Connecticut or governmental authorities located in Connecticut may have
been issued prior to the enactment of  a Connecticut tax on the interest  income
of individuals; therefore, bond counsel to the issuers of such Connecticut Bonds
did not opine as to the exemption of the interest on such Connecticut Bonds from
such tax. However, the Sponsor and special counsel to the Trusts for Connecticut
tax matters believe that such interest will be so
 
                                     3 of 7
<PAGE>
exempt.  Interest on Connecticut Bonds in the  Trust issued by other issuers, if
any, is, in  the opinion  of bond  counsel to  such issuers,  exempt from  state
taxation.
 
    In the opinion of Day, Berry & Howard LLP, special counsel to the Series for
Connecticut  tax matters, which relies explicitly  on the opinion of Chapman and
Cutler regarding Federal income tax matters, under existing Connecticut law:
 
        The Trust is not subject to any tax on or measured by net income imposed
    by the State of Connecticut.
 
        Interest income from a Bond held by  the Trust is not taxable under  the
    Connecticut  tax on the  Connecticut taxable income  of individuals, trusts,
    and estates (the "Connecticut Income  Tax"), when such interest is  received
    by the Trust or distributed by it to a Unitholder.
 
        Gains  and  losses recognized  by a  Unitholder  for Federal  income tax
    purposes upon the maturity,  redemption, sale, or  other disposition by  the
    Trust  of a Bond  held by the Trust  or upon the  redemption, sale, or other
    disposition of a  Unit of  the Trust  held by  a Unitholder  are taken  into
    account  as gains or  losses, respectively, for  purposes of the Connecticut
    Income Tax, except that, in the case  of a Unitholder holding a Unit of  the
    Trust  as  a  capital  asset,  such gains  and  losses  recognized  upon the
    maturity, redemption, sale or exchange of a  Bond issued by or on behalf  of
    the  State  of Connecticut,  any  political subdivision  thereof,  or public
    instrumentality, state  or  local  authority, district,  or  similar  public
    entity  created under the  laws of the State  of Connecticut (a "Connecticut
    Bond") held  by the  Trust are  excluded from  gains and  losses taken  into
    account  for purposes  of such  tax and  no opinion  is expressed  as to the
    treatment for purposes of  such tax of gains  and losses recognized, to  the
    extent  attributable  to Connecticut  Bonds, upon  the redemption,  sale, or
    other disposition by a Unitholder of a Unit of the Trust held by him.
 
        The portion of any interest income or capital gain of the Trust that  is
    allocable  to a  Unitholder that is  subject to  the Connecticut corporation
    business tax  is includable  in  the gross  income  of such  Unitholder  for
    purposes of such tax.
 
        An interest in a Unit of the Trust that is owned by or attributable to a
    Connecticut  resident at the  time of his  death is includable  in his gross
    estate for purposes of  the Connecticut succession  tax and the  Connecticut
    estate tax.
 
                                 TAX DISCLOSURE
 
    Generally,  a  Unitholder  recognizes  gain  or  loss  for  purposes  of the
Connecticut Income Tax to the same extent the Unitholder recognizes gain or loss
for Federal income tax  purposes. Ordinarily this would  mean that gain or  loss
would  be recognized  by a  Unitholder upon  the maturity,  redemption, sale, or
other disposition by the  Trust of a  Bond held by it,  or upon the  redemption,
sale,  or  other disposition  of a  Unit of  the Trust  held by  the Unitholder.
However, gains and losses from the sale or exchange of Connecticut Bonds held as
capital assets are not taken into account for purposes of the Connecticut Income
Tax. Regulations indicate that this rule would apply to gain or loss  recognized
by  a  Unitholder holding  a  Unit of  the  Trust as  a  capital asset  upon the
maturity, redemption, sale, or other disposition  of a Connecticut Bond held  by
the  Trust. However, it is not clear whether  this rule would also apply, to the
extent attributable to  Connecticut Bonds  held by the  Trust, to  gain or  loss
recognized  by a Unitholder upon the redemption, sale, or other disposition of a
Unit of the Trust held by the Unitholder. Unitholders are urged to consult their
own tax advisors concerning these matters.
 
                                     4 of 7
<PAGE>
   
                    NUVEEN CONNECTICUT TRADITIONAL TRUST 292
                    (NUVEEN TAX-FREE UNIT TRUST, SERIES 993)
         SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS AT THE DATE OF DEPOSIT, APRIL 8, 1998
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          Ratings(3)           Trustee's
                                                                      Optional       ---------------------   Determination
 Aggregate        Name of Issuer and Title of Issue Represented      Redemption       Standard                of Offering
 Principal         by Sponsor's Contracts to Purchase Bonds(1)      Provisions(2)     & Poor's    Moody's        Price
<C>          <C> <S>                                              <C>                <C>         <C>        <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$   250,000      State of Connecticut, General Obligation Bonds      2008 at 101        AA-         Aa3     $       248,438
                   (1998 Series B), 5.00% Due 3/15/18.
    250,000      State of Connecticut Health and Educational         2007 at 101        AAA         Aaa             245,085
                   Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Choate
                   Rosemary Hall Issue, Series B, 5.00% Due
                   7/1/27. (Original issue discount bonds
                   delivered on or about July 8, 1997 at a price
                   of 93.809% of principal amount.)(MBIA
                   Insured.)
    240,000      State of Connecticut Health and Educational         2007 at 101         --         Aaa             237,600
                   Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds,
                   Middlesex Hospital Issue, Series H, 5.125%
                   Due 7/1/27. (MBIA Insured.)
    250,000      State of Connecticut, Special Tax Obligation        2007 at 101        AA-         A1              248,750
                   Bonds, Transportation Infrastructure
                   Purposes, 1997 Series A, 5.00% Due 11/1/17.
    200,000      Regional School District Number 5 of the State      2007 at 100         --         Aa3             198,750
                   of Connecticut (Towns of Bethany, Orange and
                   Woodbridge), General Obligation Bonds, 5.00%
                   Due 3/1/18.
    250,000      Town of New Canaan, Connecticut, General            2007 at 100         --         Aaa             246,195
                   Obligation Bonds, 4.875% Due 3/1/17.
    160,000      Town of South Windsor, Connecticut, General         2007 at 100         AA         Aa3
                   Obligation Bonds,
                 60M-5.00% Due 3/15/17,                                                                              59,635
                 100M-5.00% Due 3/15/18.                                                                             99,372
    150,000      Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Public Improvement     2008 at 101        AAA         Aaa             147,750
                   Refunding Bonds, Series 1998 (General
                   Obligation Bonds), 5.00% Due 7/1/26. (MBIA
                   Insured.)
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
$ 1,750,000                                                                                                 $     1,731,575
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------
 
    (1) The Sponsor's contracts to purchase  Bonds were entered into during  the
period  from March 18,  1998 to April  7, 1998. Other  information regarding the
Bonds in the Trust on the Date of Deposit is as follows:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           PROFIT (OR
                                              COST TO         LOSS)       ANNUAL INTEREST   BID PRICE
                   TRUST                      SPONSOR      TO SPONSOR     INCOME TO TRUST   OF BONDS
  ----------------------------------------  -----------  ---------------  ---------------  -----------
  <S>                                       <C>          <C>              <C>              <C>
  Connecticut Traditional Trust 292.......  $ 1,726,316  $       5,259    $    87,488      $ 1,725,685
</TABLE>
    
 
   
In addition,  the difference  between the  Trustee's determination  of  Offering
Price  and Bid Price (as a percentage of principal amount) is .34%. Neither cost
to Sponsor nor  profit (or  loss) to  Sponsor reflects  underwriting profits  or
losses  received  or  incurred  by  the  Sponsor  through  its  participation in
underwriting syndicates.  The Sponsor  did not  participate as  either the  sole
underwriter  or as a manager or member of a syndicate that acted as the original
underwriter of any of the Bonds.
    
 
    (2) The Bonds are first subject to optional redemption in the years, and  at
the  prices,  shown. Unless  otherwise indicated,  the  Bonds, except  for Bonds
issued at a  substantial original  issue discount, are  redeemable at  declining
prices  (but not below  par value) in subsequent  years. Original issue discount
bonds, including zero coupon bonds, are generally redeemable at prices based  on
the  issue  price  plus  the  amount  of  original  issue  discount  accreted to
redemption plus, if applicable, some premium,  the amount of which will  decline
in  subsequent years. The Bonds  may also be subject  to sinking fund redemption
without premium  prior to  the dates  shown.  Certain Bonds  may be  subject  to
redemption  without  premium prior  to  the date  shown  pursuant to  special or
mandatory call provisions specified in  the instruments setting forth the  terms
and  provisions of  such Bonds.  See "COMPOSITION OF  TRUSTS", "WHAT  IS THE TAX
STATUS OF UNITHOLDERS?" and "RISK FACTORS" in Part B of this Prospectus.
 
    (3) Certain of the Bonds in a  Traditional Trust, as insured by an  Insurer,
may  be rated AAA by  Standard & Poor's and/or Aaa  by Moody's. The insurance on
such Bonds guarantees the payment of  interest and principal on such Bonds  when
due  but  does  not cover  certain  market  risks associated  with  fixed income
securities such as accelerated payments, mandatory redemptions or interest  rate
risks.  (See "WHY AND HOW  ARE THE BONDS INSURED?" in  Part B of this Prospectus
and "Description of Ratings" in the Information Supplement.)
 
                                     5 of 7
<PAGE>
                             Statement of Condition
 
   
                    NUVEEN CONNECTICUT TRADITIONAL TRUST 292
    
 
   
                    (Nuveen Tax-Free Unit Trust, Series 993)
    
 
   
                              AS OF APRIL 8, 1998
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                 <C>
    TRUST PROPERTY
Sponsor's contracts to purchase Bonds, backed by
  an irrevocable letter of credit(1)(2)...........  $    1,731,575
Accrued interest to April 8, 1998 on underlying
  Bonds(1)........................................          22,108
Organizational costs(3)...........................           2,600
                                                    --------------
            Total.................................  $    1,756,283
                                                    --------------
                                                    --------------
   LIABILITIES AND INTEREST OF UNITHOLDERS
LIABILITIES:
    Accrued interest to April 8, 1998 on
     underlying Bonds(4)..........................  $       22,108
    Accrued organizational and offering
     costs(3).....................................           2,600
                                                    --------------
            Total.................................  $       24,708
                                                    --------------
                                                    --------------
INTEREST OF UNITHOLDERS:
    Units of fractional undivided interest
     outstanding (17,500)
      Cost to investors(5)........................  $    1,820,786
        Less: Gross underwriting commission(6)....         (89,211)
                                                    --------------
    Net amount applicable to investors............  $    1,731,575
                                                    --------------
            Total.................................  $    1,756,283
                                                    --------------
                                                    --------------
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------
 
(1) Represented by contracts to  purchase Bonds which  include "when issued"  or
    "regular  way"  or "delayed  delivery"  contracts for  which  an irrevocable
    letter of credit issued by a  major commercial bank has been deposited  with
    the  Trustee on the Date of Deposit. The amount of such letter of credit and
    any cash deposited  exceeds the  amount necessary  for the  purchase of  the
    Bonds  plus accrued interest to the Date of Deposit. At the Date of Deposit,
    Bonds may have been  delivered to the Sponsor  pursuant to certain of  these
    contracts;  the Sponsor has assigned to the Trustee all of its rights, title
    and interest in and to such Bonds.
 
(2) Aggregate value (at offering prices) as of the Date of Deposit of the  Bonds
    listed  under "Schedule of Investments" herein,  and their aggregate cost to
    the Trust are the  same. Such offering prices  were determined by Kenny  S&P
    Evaluation Services, a division of J. J. Kenny Co., Inc., as of the close of
    business on the business day prior to the Date of Deposit. (See "HOW WAS THE
    PRICE  OF THE BONDS  DETERMINED AT THE DATE  OF DEPOSIT?" in  Part B of this
    Prospectus.) Insurance coverage providing for the timely payment, when  due,
    of  all principal of and  interest on certain of  the Bonds in a Traditional
    Trust may have been obtained by  the issuers of such Bonds. Such  insurance,
    if any, does not guarantee the market value of the Bonds or the value of the
    Units.  Both the bid and the offering  prices of the underlying Bonds and of
    the Units may include value attributable  to such policies of insurance,  if
    any.
 
(3) The  Trust (and  therefore Unitholders)  will bear all  or a  portion of its
    estimated organizational  and  offering costs  which  will be  deferred  and
    amortized over five years from the Date of Deposit.
 
(4) Representing,  as set forth in "WHAT IS ACCRUED INTEREST?" in Part B of this
    Prospectus, advancement by  the Trustee of  an amount equal  to the  accrued
    Bond interest as of the Date of Deposit.
 
(5) Aggregate  Public Offering Price (exclusive of accrued interest) computed as
    set forth under "HOW IS THE PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE DETERMINED?" in Part B  of
    this Prospectus.
 
(6) The  gross underwriting commission of 4.90% of the Public Offering Price has
    been calculated on the assumption that the  Units sold are not subject to  a
    reduction  of sales  charge for  quantity purchases.  In single transactions
    involving 500 Units or more, the sales  charge is reduced. (See "HOW IS  THE
    PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE DETERMINED?" in Part B of this Prospectus.)
 
                                     6 of 7
<PAGE>
                    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
   
TO  THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF JOHN  NUVEEN & CO. INCORPORATED AND UNITHOLDERS OF
CONNECTICUT TRADITIONAL TRUST 292:
    
 
   
    We have audited the accompanying statement of condition and the schedule  of
investments  at  date of  deposit (included  in  Part A  of this  Prospectus) of
Connecticut Traditional  Trust 292  (contained in  Nuveen Tax-Free  Unit  Trust,
Series   993),  as  of  April  8,  1998.  These  financial  statements  are  the
responsibility of the Sponsor.  Our responsibility is to  express an opinion  on
these financial statements based on our audit.
    
 
    We  conducted  our  audit  in accordance  with  generally  accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to  obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included
confirmation of the irrevocable letter of credit arrangement for the purchase of
securities,  described  in  Note   (1)  to  the   statement  of  condition,   by
correspondence with the Trustee. An audit also includes assessing the accounting
principles  used  and significant  estimates  made by  the  Sponsor, as  well as
evaluating the overall  financial statement  presentation. We  believe that  our
audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
   
    In  our opinion, the statement of  condition and the schedule of investments
at date of deposit referred to  above present fairly, in all material  respects,
the financial position of Connecticut Traditional Trust 292 as of April 8, 1998,
in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
    
 
                                                             ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 
   
Chicago, Illinois,
April 8, 1998.
    
 
                                     7 of 7
<PAGE>
                                 APRIL 8, 1998
                             SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
                                           A
   
NUVEEN                NUVEEN NEW JERSEY INSURED TRUST 228
                    (NUVEEN TAX-FREE UNIT TRUST, SERIES 993)
    
                                               CUSIP NUMBERS:
   
                                               Monthly:               6706LC 312
                                               Quarterly:             6706LC 320
                                               Semi-Annually:         6706LC 338
    
   
              PROSPECTUS--PART A (SPECIFIC TERMS) -- APRIL 8, 1998
 THIS PART A OF THE PROSPECTUS MAY NOT BE DISTRIBUTED UNLESS ACCOMPANIED BY THE
                                   PART B OF
  THE NUVEEN TAX-FREE UNIT TRUSTS PROSPECTUS DATED JULY 8, 1997, TO WHICH SUCH
                                   REFERENCE
   HEREIN APPLIES. BOTH PARTS OF THE PROSPECTUS SHOULD BE RETAINED FOR FUTURE
                                   REFERENCE.
    
 
   
    New  Jersey  Insured Trust  228  (the "Trust")  consists  of a  portfolio of
interest-bearing obligations issued by or on behalf of the State of New  Jersey,
certain  United  States Territories  or  authorities and  political subdivisions
thereof which,  in  the  opinion  of recognized  bond  counsel  to  the  issuing
authorities,  provide income  which is  exempt from  Federal income  tax and New
Jersey income tax, to the extent indicated below.
    
    The objectives of the Trust are income exempt from Federal and state  income
taxes,  and conservation  of capital. The  objectives are,  of course, dependent
upon the continuing  ability of the  issuers, obligors and/or  insurers to  meet
their respective obligations.
   
    The  Portfolio of  the Trust  consists of  8 obligations  issued by entities
located in New Jersey. The Bonds in the Trust are either general obligations  of
the  governmental entity issuing them and are backed by the taxing power thereof
or are  payable as  to principal  and interest  from the  income of  a  specific
project  or authority and are not supported by the issuer's power to levy taxes.
The sources of payment for the Bonds are divided as follows:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
     NUMBER OF                                              PORTFOLIO
      ISSUES                PURPOSE OF ISSUE                PERCENTAGE
  ---------------  ----------------------------------------------------
  <C>              <S>                                     <C>
         3         Education Revenue                            42.9   %
         2         Health Care Facility Revenue                 27.7
         2         Municipal Lease Revenue                      15.1
         1         Transportation                               14.3
</TABLE>
    
 
   
    Approximately 33.4% of the  aggregate principal amount of  the Bonds in  the
Trust (accounting for approximately 31.1% of the aggregate offering price of the
Bonds)  are original issue discount obligations. Certain of these original issue
discount obligations, amounting to  5.7% of the  aggregate principal amount  and
2.0%  of  the aggregate  offering price  of the  Bonds in  the Trust,  are "zero
coupon" bonds. See "RISK FACTORS" in Part B of this Prospectus for a  discussion
of  the  characteristics  of  such  obligations  and  of  the  risks  associated
therewith.
    
    All of the Bonds in the Trust are covered by policies of insurance  obtained
from  the  MBIA  Insurance  Corporation guaranteeing  payment  of  principal and
interest when due. As a  result of such insurance, the  Bonds in the Trust  have
received  a rating of "Aaa" by Moody's, "AAA" by Fitch, and/or "AAA" by Standard
& Poor's. Insurance does not guarantee the market value of the Bonds or of Trust
Units.
   
    The Trust is  considered to be  concentrated in Bonds  of Education  Revenue
Issuers  whose  revenues  are subject  to  certain risks  including  declines in
"college age" individuals and the possible inability to raise tuition and  fees.
The Trust is also considered to be concentrated in Bonds of Health Care Facility
Revenue  Issuers whose revenues are subject to certain risks including increased
governmental regulation, fluctuating occupancy levels and increased competition.
For a  discussion of  the risks  associated  with investments  in the  bonds  of
various issuers, see "RISK FACTORS" in Part B of this Prospectus.
    
   
                             ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
               REGARDING THE NUVEEN NEW JERSEY INSURED TRUST 228
        ON THE BUSINESS DAY PRIOR TO THE DATE OF DEPOSIT, APRIL 7, 1998
    
         Sponsor and Evaluator.......... John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated
         Trustee.............................. The Chase Manhattan Bank
                  -------------------------------------------
 
The  income, expense and distribution data  set forth below have been calculated
for  Unitholders  receiving  monthly,  quarterly  or  semi-annual   distribution
options.
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                   <C>
Principal Amount of Bonds in Trust..................  $     1,750,000
Number of Units.....................................           17,500
Fractional Undivided Interest in Trust Per Unit.....         1/17,500
Public Offering Price--Less than 500 Units
    Aggregate Offering Price of Bonds in Trust......  $     1,680,806
    Divided by Number of Units......................  $         96.05
    Plus Sales Charge 4.9% (5.152% of the Aggregate
     Offering Price of the Bonds per Unit)..........  $          4.95
    Public Offering Price Per Unit(1)...............  $        101.00
Redemption Price Per Unit (exclusive of accrued
  interest).........................................  $         95.65
Sponsor's Initial Repurchase Price Per Unit
  (exclusive of accrued interest)...................  $         96.05
Excess of Public Offering Price Per Unit over
  Redemption Price Per Unit.........................  $          5.35
Excess of Public Offering Price Per Unit over
  Sponsor's Repurchase Price Per Unit...............  $          4.95
Average Maturity of Bonds in the Trust(2)...........       27.8 years
</TABLE>
    
 
- ----------
 
THESE  SECURITIES HAVE  NOT BEEN APPROVED  OR DISAPPROVED BY  THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR HAS THE COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR  ADEQUACY
OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
Information   contained  herein  is  subject   to  completion  or  amendment.  A
registration statement  relating to  these securities  has been  filed with  the
Securities  and Exchange  Commission. These securities  may not be  sold nor may
offers to buy be accepted prior  to the time the registration statement  becomes
effective.  This  Prospectus  shall  not  constitute an  offer  to  sell  or the
solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these  securities
in  any State in which such offer,  solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior
to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any State.
 
                                     1 of 7
<PAGE>
                         ESSENTIAL INFORMATION (CONT.)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  MONTHLY        QUARTERLY      SEMI-ANNUAL
                                                -----------     -----------     -----------
  <S>                                           <C>             <C>             <C>
  Calculation of Estimated Net Annual
    Interest Income Per Unit
      Annual Interest Income(3)............         $4.8036         $4.8036        $4.8036
      Less Estimated Annual Expense........          $.2524          $.2204         $.2014
                                                -----------     -----------     -----------
      Estimated Net Annual Interest
        Income(4)..........................         $4.5512         $4.5832        $4.6022
  Daily Rate of Accrual Per Unit...........         $.01264         $.01273        $.01278
  ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN(5)..............            4.51%           4.54%          4.56 %
  ESTIMATED LONG TERM RETURN(5)............            4.55%           4.58%          4.60 %
  Trustee's Annual Fees(6).................         $1.4435         $1.1235        $0.9335
Date of Deposit......................................................................................April 8, 1998
Settlement Date.....................................................................................April 14, 1998
Mandatory Termination Date....................................See "OTHER INFORMATION" in Part B of this Prospectus
Minimum Value of Each Trust...................................See "OTHER INFORMATION" in Part B of this Prospectus
Sponsor's Annual Evaluation Fee.........................................$0.17 per $1,000 principal amount of Bonds
Estimated Annual Organizational and Offering Expenses(7)..........................................$.02857 per Unit
- ----------
</TABLE>
    
 
The evaluation time for purpose  of sale, purchase or  redemption of Units is  4
p.m. Eastern time or as of any earlier time at which the New York Stock Exchange
closes.  (See "HOW IS THE  PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE DETERMINED?"  in Part B of this
Prospectus.)
 
   
(1) Units are offered at  the Public Offering Price  plus accrued interest  from
    the  preceding Record  Date to,  but not  including, the  date of settlement
    (normally three business days  after purchase). The Date  of Deposit of  the
    Fund  has  been  designated  as  the First  Record  Date  for  all  plans of
    distribution of the Trust and, accordingly, for Units purchased on the  Date
    of Deposit, $.08 of accrued interest to the Settlement Date will be added to
    the  Public Offering Price.  (See "WHAT IS  ACCRUED INTEREST?" in  Part B of
    this Prospectus.)
    
 
(2) The Average Maturity  of Bonds  in the Trust  is calculated  based upon  the
    stated  maturities of the Bonds in the  Trust (or, with respect to Bonds for
    which funds or securities have been placed in escrow to redeem such Bonds on
    a stated call  date, based  upon such call  date). The  Average Maturity  of
    Bonds  in the  Trust may  increase or  decrease from  time to  time as Bonds
    mature or are called or sold.
 
(3) Assumes delivery of  all Bonds.  (See "COMPOSITION OF  TRUSTS" appearing  in
    Part  B of this  Prospectus.) Interest income does  not include accretion of
    original issue  discount on  "zero coupon"  Bonds, Stripped  Obligations  or
    other  original issue discount Bonds. (See "RISK  FACTORS" in Part B of this
    Prospectus.)
 
(4) The amount and  timing of interest  distributions from the  Trust under  the
    various  plans of distribution  are set forth below.  It is anticipated that
    the amount of interest to  be distributed per Unit  in each year under  each
    plan  of distribution will initially be substantially equal to the Estimated
    Net Annual Interest Income per Unit for that plan. The amount of interest to
    be distributed  annually  per  Unit,  will generally  change  as  Bonds  are
    redeemed, mature or are sold or as fees and expenses increase or decrease.
 
(5) Estimated  Long  Term Return  for the  Trust represents  the average  of the
    yields to  maturity  (or  call)  of  the  Bonds  in  the  Trust's  portfolio
    calculated  in  accordance  with  accepted bond  practices  and  adjusted to
    reflect a compounding factor, expenses and sales charges. Estimated  Current
    Return  is computed by dividing  the Net Annual Interest  Income per Unit by
    the Public Offering  Price, and in  contrast to Estimated  Long Term  Return
    does  not reflect the  amortization of premium or  accretion of discount, if
    any. For  more information  see "WHAT  ARE ESTIMATED  LONG TERM  RETURN  AND
    ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN?" in Part B of this Prospectus.
 
(6) Each  Trustee annual  fee is per  $1,000 principal amount  of the underlying
    Bonds in  the  Trust  for  that  portion of  the  Trust  that  represents  a
    particular plan of distribution.
 
(7) The  Trust (and  therefore Unitholders)  will bear all  or a  portion of its
    organizational  and  offering  costs  (including  costs  of  preparing   the
    registration  statements, the  trust indenture and  other closing documents,
    registering Units with  the Securities and  Exchange Commission and  states,
    the  initial audit  of the Trust  portfolio, initial  evaluation fees, legal
    fees and the initial fees and expenses of the Trustee but not including  the
    expenses incurred in the printing of preliminary and final prospectuses, and
    expenses  incurred in  the preparation and  printing of  brochures and other
    advertising materials  and any  other  selling expenses)  as is  common  for
    mutual  funds. Total organizational  expenses will be  amortized over a five
    year period. See "WHAT  ARE NORMAL TRUST OPERATING  EXPENSES?" in Part B  of
    this  Prospectus and "Statement of Condition." Historically, the sponsors of
    unit investment trusts have paid all the costs of establishing such trusts.
 
                                     2 of 7
<PAGE>
                             INTEREST DISTRIBUTION
 
    Details of interest distributions  per Unit of the  Trust under the  various
plans  appear in  the following table  based upon estimated  Net Annual Interest
Income at the Date of Deposit:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                          NORMAL
                                                                                                      DISTRIBUTIONS
                                                         1998                          1999              PER YEAR
<S>                                     <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------------
Record Date*..........................        5/1            8/1           11/1            2/1
Distribution Date.....................       5/15           8/15          11/15           2/15
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monthly Distribution Plan.............  $   .2907(1)                                                  $  4.5512
                                                            --------$.3792 every month--------
Quarterly Distribution Plan...........  $   .2907(1)   $  1.1457(2)   $  1.1457      $  1.1457        $  4.5832
Semi-Annual Distribution Plan.........  $   .2907(1)                  $  2.3004(3)                    $  4.6022
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
    
 
 * Record Dates for  semi-annual distributions  are May  1 and  November 1;  for
   quarterly distributions, they are February 1, May 1, August 1 and November 1.
   Record  Dates  for monthly  distributions are  the first  day of  each month.
   Distribution Dates under each distribution plan are the fifteenth day of  the
   month   in  which  the  respective   Record  Date  occurred.  For  additional
   information see "WHEN ARE  DISTRIBUTIONS MADE TO UNITHOLDERS?"  in Part B  of
   this Prospectus.
 
(1) The  first distribution will  be paid to all  Unitholders, regardless of the
    distribution plan selected.  Such distribution may  be more or  less than  a
    regular monthly distribution.
 
(2) Regular 3-month distribution.
 
(3) Regular 6-month distribution.
 
                            NEW JERSEY RISK FACTORS
 
    The  financial condition of the  State of New Jersey  is affected by various
national,  economic,   social  and   environmental  policies   and   conditions.
Additionally,  Constitutional and statutory limitations imposed on the State and
its local governments concerning taxes, bond indebtedness and other matters  may
constrain the revenue-generating capacity of the State and its local governments
and,  therefore,  the ability  of  the issuers  of  the Bonds  to  satisfy their
obligations.
 
    The economic vitality of the State  and its various regions and,  therefore,
the  ability of the  State and its  local governments to  satisfy the Bonds, are
affected  by  numerous  factors.  The  State's  economic  base  is  diversified,
consisting  of manufacturing, construction  and service industries, supplemented
by rural areas with selective commercial agriculture. The State has a relatively
high wage  labor  market which  has  resulted  in the  State's  business  sector
becoming more vulnerable to competitive pressures.
 
    The State is a party to numerous lawsuits in which an adverse final decision
could materially affect the State's governmental operations and consequently its
ability to pay debt service on its obligations.
 
    All  outstanding general  obligation bonds of  the State are  rated "AA+" by
Standard and Poor's and "Aa1" by Moody's.
 
    Further information concerning New Jersey risk factors may be obtained  upon
written  or telephonic request to the Trustee as described in "OTHER INFORMATION
- -- Supplemental Information" appearing in Part B of this Prospectus.
 
                                   TAX STATUS
 
    For a discussion of the Federal tax status of income earned on Trust  Units,
see  "WHAT IS  THE TAX  STATUS OF  UNITHOLDERS?" in  Part B  of this Prospectus.
Investors should  be aware  that on  August 5,  1997, the  President signed  the
Taxpayer  Relief Act  of 1997  (the "Act"). The  Act reduces  the maximum stated
marginal tax rate for capital gains  for certain investments held for more  than
18  months to  20 percent (10  percent in the  case of certain  taxpayers in the
lowest tax bracket). The Act also  includes provisions that would treat  certain
transactions  designed to reduce or eliminate risk of loss and opportunities for
gain (e.g., short  sales, offsetting  notional principal  contracts, futures  or
forward  contracts, or similar transactions)  as constructive sales for purposes
of recognition  of gain  (and not  loss)  and for  purposes of  determining  the
holding  period.  Potential  investors  should consult  their  own  tax advisors
regarding the potential effect of the Act on their investment in Units.
 
    The assets of the Trust will consist of interest-bearing obligations  issued
by  or  on behalf  of  the State  of  New Jersey  and  counties, municipalities,
authorities and other political subdivisions thereof, and certain territories of
the United  States, including  Puerto Rico,  Guam, the  Virgin Islands  and  the
Northern Mariana Islands (the "New Jersey Bonds").
 
    In the opinion of Pitney, Hardin, Kipp & Szuch, special counsel to the Trust
for New Jersey tax matters, under existing law:
 
        The  Trust will be recognized as a  Trust and not an association taxable
    as a  corporation.  The  Trust  will  not  be  subject  to  the  New  Jersey
    Corporation Business Tax or the New Jersey Corporation Income Tax.
 
        With  respect to the non-corporate Unitholders  who are residents of New
    Jersey, the  income of  the Trust  will be  treated as  the income  of  such
    Unitholders  under  the  New  Jersey  Gross  Income  Tax.  Interest  on  the
    underlying New
 
                                     3 of 7
<PAGE>
    Jersey Bonds which is exempt from tax under the New Jersey Gross Income  Tax
    Law when received by the Trust will retain its status as tax-exempt interest
    when distributed to the Unitholders.
 
        A  non-corporate Unitholder will not be  subject to the New Jersey Gross
    Income Tax on  any gain realized  either when  the Trust disposes  of a  New
    Jersey  Bond (whether by sale, exchange, redemption, or payment at maturity)
    or when the Unitholder redeems or sells his Units. Any loss realized on such
    disposition may not be utilized to offset gains realized by such  Unitholder
    on  the disposition of assets the gain on which is subject to the New Jersey
    Gross Income Tax.
 
        Units of the Trust may be taxable on the death of a Unitholder under the
    New Jersey Transfer Inheritance Tax Law or the New Jersey Estate Tax Law.
 
        If a Unitholder is a corporation  subject to the New Jersey  Corporation
    Business  Tax or New Jersey Corporation  Income Tax, interest from the Bonds
    in the Trust which  is allocable to such  corporation will be includable  in
    its  entire net income  for purposes of the  New Jersey Corporation Business
    Tax or New Jersey Corporation Income Tax, less any interest expense incurred
    to carry such investment  to the extent such  interest expense has not  been
    deducted  in computing  Federal taxable  income. Net  gains derived  by such
    corporation on the disposition of  the New Jersey Bonds  by the Trust or  on
    the  disposition of its Units will be  included in its entire net income for
    purposes  of  the  New  Jersey  Corporation  Business  Tax  or  New   Jersey
    Corporation Income Tax.
 
                                     4 of 7
<PAGE>
   
                      NUVEEN NEW JERSEY INSURED TRUST 228
                    (NUVEEN TAX-FREE UNIT TRUST, SERIES 993)
         SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS AT THE DATE OF DEPOSIT, APRIL 8, 1998
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          Ratings(3)           Trustee's
                                                                      Optional       ---------------------   Determination
 Aggregate        Name of Issuer and Title of Issue Represented      Redemption       Standard                of Offering
 Principal         by Sponsor's Contracts to Purchase Bonds(1)      Provisions(2)     & Poor's    Moody's        Price
<C>          <C> <S>                                              <C>                <C>         <C>        <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$   250,000      New Jersey Educational Facilities Authority,        2008 at 100        AAA         Aaa     $       250,000
                   Revenue Bonds, Richard Stockton College of
                   New Jersey Issue, Series 1998 C, 5.125% Due
                   7/1/28.
    250,000      New Jersey Educational Facilities Authority,        2006 at 101        AAA         Aaa             251,463
                   Revenue Bonds, Trenton State College Issue,
                   Series 1996 A, 5.125% Due 7/1/24.
    235,000      New Jersey Health Care Facilities Financing         2007 at 102        AAA         Aaa             231,430
                   Authority, Revenue and Refunding Bonds, AHS
                   Hospital Corporation Issue, Series 1997 A,
                   5.00% Due 7/1/27. (Original issue discount
                   bonds delivered on or about September 11,
                   1997 at a price of 92.705% of principal
                   amount.)
    250,000      The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey,      2007 at 101        AAA         Aaa             256,665
                   Consolidated Bonds, One Hundred Ninth Series,
                   5.375% Due 1/15/32. (Original issue discount
                   bonds delivered on or about February 5, 1997
                   at a price of 93.239% of principal amount.)
    165,000      New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Authority,     2008 at 100        AAA         Aaa             163,951
                   Transportation System Bonds, 1997 Series A,
                   5.00% Due 6/15/18.
    250,000      University of Medicine and Dentistry of New         2008 at 102        AAA         Aaa             248,245
                   Jersey, Certificates of Participation, Series
                   A, 5.00% Due 9/1/22.
    250,000      Camden County Improvement Authority (New            2008 at 102        AAA         Aaa             245,000
                   Jersey), Health System Revenue Bonds,
                   Catholic Health East Issue, Series 1998B,
                   5.00% Due 11/15/28.
    100,000      The County of Middlesex, New Jersey,             No Optional Call      AAA         Aaa              34,052
                   Certificates of Participation, Series 1998,
                   0.00% Due 6/15/19. (Original issue discount
                   bonds will be delivered on or about April 9,
                   1998 at a price of 33.707% of principal
                   amount.)(When issued.)
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
$ 1,750,000                                                                                                 $     1,680,806
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------
 
    (1)  The Sponsor's contracts to purchase  Bonds were entered into during the
period from April  3, 1998  to April 7,  1998. Other  information regarding  the
Bonds in the Trust on the Date of Deposit is as follows:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           PROFIT (OR
                                              COST TO         LOSS)       ANNUAL INTEREST   BID PRICE
                   TRUST                      SPONSOR      TO SPONSOR     INCOME TO TRUST   OF BONDS
  ----------------------------------------  -----------  ---------------  ---------------  -----------
  <S>                                       <C>          <C>              <C>              <C>
  New Jersey Insured Trust 228............  $ 1,675,317  $       5,489    $    84,063      $ 1,673,871
</TABLE>
    
 
   
In  addition,  the difference  between the  Trustee's determination  of Offering
Price and Bid Price (as a percentage of principal amount) is .40%. Neither  cost
to  Sponsor nor  profit (or  loss) to  Sponsor reflects  underwriting profits or
losses received  or  incurred  by  the  Sponsor  through  its  participation  in
underwriting  syndicates. The  Sponsor did  not participate  as either  the sole
underwriter or as a manager or member of a syndicate that acted as the  original
underwriter of any of the Bonds.
    
 
    (2)  The Bonds are first subject to optional redemption in the years, and at
the prices,  shown. Unless  otherwise  indicated, the  Bonds, except  for  Bonds
issued  at a  substantial original issue  discount, are  redeemable at declining
prices (but not below  par value) in subsequent  years. Original issue  discount
bonds,  including zero coupon bonds, are generally redeemable at prices based on
the issue  price  plus  the  amount  of  original  issue  discount  accreted  to
redemption  plus, if applicable, some premium,  the amount of which will decline
in subsequent years. The  Bonds may also be  subject to sinking fund  redemption
without  premium  prior to  the dates  shown.  Certain Bonds  may be  subject to
redemption without  premium prior  to  the date  shown  pursuant to  special  or
mandatory  call provisions specified in the  instruments setting forth the terms
and provisions of  such Bonds.  See "COMPOSITION OF  TRUSTS", "WHAT  IS THE  TAX
STATUS OF UNITHOLDERS?" and "RISK FACTORS" in Part B of this Prospectus.
 
    (3)  All the  Bonds in the  Insured Trusts,  as insured by  the Insurer, are
rated AAA  by  Standard &  Poor's,  AAA by  Fitch  and/or Aaa  by  Moody's.  The
insurance obtained by the Trust guarantees the payment of interest and principal
on  the Bonds when due  but does not cover  certain market risks associated with
fixed income  securities  such  as accelerated  payments,  premiums  payable  on
mandatory  redemptions or interest rate  risks. (See "WHY AND  HOW ARE THE BONDS
INSURED?" in  Part B  of this  Prospectus and  "Description of  Ratings" in  the
Information Supplement.)
 
                                     5 of 7
<PAGE>
                             Statement of Condition
 
   
                      NUVEEN NEW JERSEY INSURED TRUST 228
    
 
   
                    (Nuveen Tax-Free Unit Trust, Series 993)
    
 
                              AS OF APRIL 8, 1998
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                 <C>
    TRUST PROPERTY
Sponsor's contracts to purchase Bonds, backed by
  an irrevocable letter of credit(1)(2)...........  $    1,680,806
Accrued interest to April 8, 1998 on underlying
  Bonds(1)........................................          16,015
Organizational costs(3)...........................           2,500
                                                    --------------
            Total.................................  $    1,699,321
                                                    --------------
                                                    --------------
   LIABILITIES AND INTEREST OF UNITHOLDERS
LIABILITIES:
    Accrued interest to April 8, 1998 on
     underlying Bonds(4)..........................  $       16,015
    Accrued organizational costs(3)...............           2,500
                                                    --------------
            Total.................................  $       18,515
                                                    --------------
                                                    --------------
INTEREST OF UNITHOLDERS:
    Units of fractional undivided interest
     outstanding (17,500)
      Cost to investors(5)........................  $    1,767,401
        Less: Gross underwriting commission(6)....         (86,595)
                                                    --------------
    Net amount applicable to investors............  $    1,680,806
                                                    --------------
            Total.................................  $    1,699,321
                                                    --------------
                                                    --------------
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------
 
(1) Represented  by contracts to  purchase Bonds which  include "when issued" or
    "regular way"  or  "delayed delivery"  contracts  for which  an  irrevocable
    letter  of credit issued by a major  commercial bank has been deposited with
    the Trustee on the Date of Deposit. The amount of such letter of credit  and
    any  cash deposited  exceeds the  amount necessary  for the  purchase of the
    Bonds plus accrued interest to the Date of Deposit. At the Date of  Deposit,
    Bonds  may have been delivered  to the Sponsor pursuant  to certain of these
    contracts; the Sponsor has assigned to the Trustee all of its rights,  title
    and interest in and to such Bonds.
 
(2) Aggregate  value (at offering prices) as of the Date of Deposit of the Bonds
    listed under "Schedule of Investments"  herein, and their aggregate cost  to
    the  Trust are the same.  Such offering prices were  determined by Kenny S&P
    Evaluation Services, a division of J. J. Kenny Co., Inc., as of the close of
    business on the business day prior to the Date of Deposit. (See "HOW WAS THE
    PRICE OF THE BONDS  DETERMINED AT THE  DATE OF DEPOSIT?" in  Part B of  this
    Prospectus.)  Insurance coverage providing for the timely payment, when due,
    of all principal of and interest on  the Bonds in an Insured Trust has  been
    obtained by the Sponsor or by the issuers of such Bonds. Such insurance does
    not  guarantee the market value of the Bonds or the value of the Units. Both
    the bid and the offering prices of the underlying Bonds and of the Units may
    include value attributable to such policies of insurance.
 
(3) The Trust (and  therefore Unitholders)  will bear all  or a  portion of  its
    estimated  organizational  and offering  costs  which will  be  deferred and
    amortized over five years from the Date of Deposit.
 
(4) Representing, as set forth in "WHAT IS ACCRUED INTEREST?" in Part B of  this
    Prospectus,  advancement by  the Trustee of  an amount equal  to the accrued
    Bond interest as of the Date of Deposit.
 
(5) Aggregate Public Offering Price (exclusive of accrued interest) computed  as
    set  forth under "HOW IS THE PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE DETERMINED?" in Part B of
    this Prospectus.
 
(6) The gross underwriting commission of 4.90% of the Public Offering Price  has
    been  calculated on the assumption that the  Units sold are not subject to a
    reduction of sales  charge for  quantity purchases.  In single  transactions
    involving  500 Units or more, the sales  charge is reduced. (See "HOW IS THE
    PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE DETERMINED?" in Part B of this Prospectus.)
 
                                     6 of 7
<PAGE>
                    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
   
TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF JOHN  NUVEEN & CO. INCORPORATED AND UNITHOLDERS  OF
NEW JERSEY INSURED TRUST 228:
    
 
   
    We  have audited the accompanying statement of condition and the schedule of
investments at date of deposit  (included in Part A  of this Prospectus) of  New
Jersey  Insured Trust 228 (contained in Nuveen Tax-Free Unit Trust, Series 993),
as of April 8,  1998. These financial statements  are the responsibility of  the
Sponsor.  Our  responsibility  is  to  express  an  opinion  on  these financial
statements based on our audit.
    
 
    We conducted  our  audit  in accordance  with  generally  accepted  auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence  supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included
confirmation of the irrevocable letter of credit arrangement for the purchase of
securities,   described  in  Note   (1)  to  the   statement  of  condition,  by
correspondence with the Trustee. An audit also includes assessing the accounting
principles used  and significant  estimates  made by  the  Sponsor, as  well  as
evaluating  the overall  financial statement  presentation. We  believe that our
audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
   
    In our opinion, the statement of  condition and the schedule of  investments
at  date of deposit referred to above  present fairly, in all material respects,
the financial position of New Jersey Insured  Trust 228 as of April 8, 1998,  in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
    
 
                                                             ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 
Chicago, Illinois,
April 8, 1998.
 
                                     7 of 7
<PAGE>

<PAGE>
                                           B
 
NUVEEN  Tax-Free Unit Trusts
             PROSPECTUS -- PART B
            (GENERAL TERMS)
   
              JULY 8, 1997
    
 
THIS  PART B OF THE PROSPECTUS MAY NOT BE DISTRIBUTED UNLESS ACCOMPANIED BY PART
A. BOTH PARTS OF THIS PROSPECTUS SHOULD BE RETAINED FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
   
FURTHER DETAIL REGARDING CERTAIN OF  THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE  PROSPECTUS
MAY  BE OBTAINED WITHIN FIVE  BUSINESS DAYS OF WRITTEN  OR TELEPHONIC REQUEST TO
THE TRUSTEE AT 4 NEW YORK PLAZA, NEW YORK, NY 10004-2413 OR (800) 257-8787.
    
INTEREST INCOME TO A TRUST AND TO UNITHOLDERS, IN THE OPINION OF COUNSEL,  UNDER
EXISTING  LAW IS  EXEMPT FROM  FEDERAL INCOME  TAX. CAPITAL  GAINS, IF  ANY, ARE
SUBJECT TO TAX. IN ADDITION, INTEREST INCOME OF STATE TRUSTS IS, IN THE  OPINION
OF  COUNSEL,  EXEMPT,  TO THE  EXTENT  INDICATED,  FROM STATE  AND  LOCAL TAXES.
INTEREST INCOME OF ANY TRUST  OTHER THAN A STATE TRUST  MAY BE SUBJECT TO  STATE
AND LOCAL TAXES.
 
CURRENTLY  OFFERED AT PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE PLUS INTEREST ACCRUED TO THE DATE OF
SETTLEMENT. MINIMUM PURCHASE--EITHER $5,000 OR 50 UNITS, WHICHEVER IS LESS.
 
   
THIS NUVEEN TAX-FREE UNIT TRUST SERIES consists of the underlying separate  unit
investment  trusts set forth in Part A  to this Prospectus. Each Trust initially
consists of delivery  statements relating  to contracts to  purchase Bonds  and,
thereafter,  will consist of a diversified portfolio of obligations issued by or
on behalf of  states and territories  of the United  States and authorities  and
political  subdivisions thereof (see "Schedule of Investments" appearing in Part
A of this Prospectus). Except in specific  instances as noted in Part A of  this
Prospectus,  the information contained in this Part  B shall apply to each Trust
in its entirety.  All obligations  in each Traditional  Trust are  rated in  the
category  "A" or  better by  Standard &  Poor's, a  division of  The McGraw Hill
Companies ("Standard & Poor's"), Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's")  or
Fitch  Investors Service, Inc. ("Fitch") on the Date of Deposit. All obligations
in each Insured  Trust are covered  by policies of  insurance obtained from  the
MBIA  Insurance Corporation guaranteeing payment  of principal and interest when
due. All such policies of insurance remain effective so long as the  obligations
are  outstanding. As a result of such  insurance, the Bonds in each portfolio of
the Insured Trusts have received  a rating of "Aaa"  by Moody's, "AAA" by  Fitch
and/  or "AAA" by Standard & Poor's. INSURANCE  RELATES ONLY TO THE BONDS IN THE
INSURED TRUSTS AND NOT  TO THE UNITS  OFFERED HEREBY OR  TO THEIR MARKET  VALUE.
(See "WHY AND HOW ARE THE BONDS INSURED?")
    
 
   
THE  OBJECTIVES of  a Trust  are tax-exempt  income and  conservation of capital
through a diversified investment  in tax-exempt Bonds.  The payment of  interest
and  the preservation of principal are, of course, dependent upon the continuing
ability of  the issuers  of  Bonds and  of any  insurer  thereof to  meet  their
obligations  thereunder. There is no guarantee that a Trust's objectives will be
achieved. (See "RISK FACTORS.")
    
 
DISTRIBUTIONS of interest received by a Trust will be made semi-annually  unless
the  Unitholder  elects to  receive them  monthly or  quarterly. (See  "WHEN ARE
DISTRIBUTIONS MADE  TO UNITHOLDERS?")  Distribution of  funds in  the  Principal
Account, if any, will ordinarily be made semi-annually.
 
   
FOR  ESTIMATED LONG TERM RETURNS AND ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURNS to Unitholders on
the business day prior to the Date of Deposit, see Part A of this Prospectus and
"WHAT ARE ESTIMATED LONG TERM RETURN AND ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN?"
    
 
   
THE PUBLIC OFFERING  PRICE per Unit  of each Trust  during the initial  offering
period  is equal to a pro rata share of the OFFERING prices of the Bonds in such
Trust's portfolio plus  a sales charge  of up  to 4.90% of  the Public  Offering
Price  (equivalent to 5.152%  of the net  amount invested); the  sales charge is
somewhat lower on Trusts with lesser average maturities. (See "HOW IS THE PUBLIC
OFFERING PRICE DETERMINED?") The Secondary Market Public Offering Price per Unit
for each Trust will be equal to a pro rata share of the sum of BID prices of the
Bonds in such Trust  plus the sales  charges determined based  on the number  of
years  remaining  to  the  maturity  of each  Bond.  Accrued  interest  from the
preceding Record Date to, but not including, the settlement date (normally three
business days after purchase) is added  to the Public Offering Price. The  sales
charge  is reduced on a graduated scale  for sales involving at least $50,000 or
500 Units  and will  be applied  on whichever  basis is  more favorable  to  the
purchaser. (See "HOW IS THE PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE DETERMINED?")
    
 
   
A  UNITHOLDER MAY REDEEM UNITS at the office of the Trustee at prices based upon
the BID prices of the Bonds. The  price received upon redemption may be more  or
less  than the amount paid by Unitholders, depending upon the value of the Bonds
on the date of tender  for redemption. (See "HOW  UNITS MAY BE REDEEMED  WITHOUT
CHARGE.")  The  Sponsor, although  not  required to  do  so, intends  to  make a
secondary market for the Units of the Trusts at prices based upon the BID prices
of the Bonds in the respective Trusts. (See "MARKET FOR UNITS.")
    
 
RISK FACTORS. An investment in a Trust  should be made with an understanding  of
the risks associated therewith, including, among other factors, the inability of
the issuer or an insurer to pay the principal of or interest on a Bond when due,
volatile interest rates, early call provisions, and changes to the tax status of
the Bonds. See Part A of this Prospectus and "RISK FACTORS."
 
UNITS OF THE TRUST ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, OR GUARANTEED OR ENDORSED
BY, ANY BANK AND ARE NOT FEDERALLY INSURED OR OTHERWISE PROTECTED BY THE FEDERAL
DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD OR ANY OTHER AGENCY AND
INVOLVE INVESTMENT RISK, INCLUDING THE POSSIBLE LOSS OF PRINCIPAL.
 
THESE  SECURITIES HAVE  NOT BEEN APPROVED  OR DISAPPROVED BY  THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE
COMMISSION OR  ANY  STATE  SECURITIES  COMMISSION NOR  HAS  THE  SECURITIES  AND
EXCHANGE
COMMISSION  OR  ANY  STATE SECURITIES  COMMISSION  PASSED UPON  THE  ACCURACY OR
ADEQUACY OF
THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<PAGE>
  NUVEEN  Tax-Free Unit Trusts
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      TABLE OF CONTENTS                                  PAGE
<C>   <S>                                                <C>
      WHAT IS THE NUVEEN TAX-FREE UNIT TRUST?            4
      WHAT ARE THE OBJECTIVES OF THE TRUSTS?             4
      SUMMARY OF PORTFOLIOS                              4
      RISK FACTORS                                       5
      COMPOSITION OF TRUSTS                              6
      WHY AND HOW ARE THE BONDS INSURED?                 8
      HOW IS THE PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE DETERMINED?       9
      MARKET FOR UNITS                                   11
      WHAT IS ACCRUED INTEREST?                          12
      WHAT ARE ESTIMATED LONG TERM RETURN AND ESTIMATED
      CURRENT RETURN?                                    12
      HOW WAS THE PRICE OF THE BONDS DETERMINED AT THE
      DATE
      OF DEPOSIT?                                        13
      WHAT IS THE TAX STATUS OF UNITHOLDERS?             13
      WHAT ARE NORMAL TRUST OPERATING EXPENSES?          15
      WHEN ARE DISTRIBUTIONS MADE TO UNITHOLDERS?        16
      ACCUMULATION PLAN                                  17
      HOW DETAILED ARE REPORTS TO UNITHOLDERS?           17
      UNIT VALUE AND EVALUATION                          17
      HOW UNITS OF THE TRUSTS ARE DISTRIBUTED TO THE
      PUBLIC                                             18
      OWNERSHIP AND TRANSFER OF UNITS                    19
      HOW UNITS MAY BE REDEEMED WITHOUT CHARGE           20
      HOW UNITS MAY BE PURCHASED BY THE SPONSOR          21
      HOW BONDS MAY BE REMOVED FROM THE TRUSTS           21
      INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRUSTEE                      21
      INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPONSOR                      22
      OTHER INFORMATION                                  22
</TABLE>
    
 
                  2
<PAGE>
  NUVEEN  Tax-Free Unit Trusts
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      TOPICAL INDEX                                              PAGE
<C>   <S>                                               <C>      <C>
      Accrued Interest                                           12
      Accumulation Plan                                          17
                                                           Information
      Bond Ratings, Description of                         Supplement
      Bonds, Initial Determination of Offering Price             13
      Bonds, How Selected                                        4
      Bonds, Limited Right of Substitution                       7
      Bonds, Removal from a Trust                                21
      Call Provisions of Portfolio Bonds                         7
      Capital Gains Taxability                                   14
      Composition of Trusts                                      7
      Dealer Discounts                                           18
      Distributions to Unitholders                               16
                                                                 Part
      Distribution Payment Dates                                 A,16
      Distribution of Units to the Public                        18
                                                                 Part
      Essential Information Regarding the Trusts                 A,12
                                                                 Part
      Estimated Long Term Return and Estimated Current Return    A,12
      Evaluation                                                 17
      Expenses for Normal Trust Operation                        15
      Indenture, Amendment of                                    22
      Indenture, Termination of                                  22
      Insurance on the Bonds                                     8
      Interest Account Distributions                             Part A
      Legal Opinion                                              23
      Limitations on Liabilities of Sponsor and Trustee          21
      Market for Units                                           11
      Minimum Transaction                                        18
      Objectives of the Trusts                                   4
      Optional Distribution Plan                                 16
      Other Information                                          22
      Ownership and Transfer of Units                            19
      Principal Account Distributions                            16
      Public Offering Price of Units                             9
      Purchase of Units by Sponsor                               21
      Quantity Purchases                                         9
                                                                 Part
      Record Dates                                               A,16
      Redemption of Units Without Charge                         20
      Report of Independent Public Accountants                   Part A
      Reports to Unitholders                                     17
      Risk Factors                                               5
      Sales Charge                                               10
      Schedules of Investments                                   Part A
      Sponsor, Information About                                 22
      State Tax Status                                           Part A
      Statements of Condition                                    Part A
      Successor Trustees and Sponsors                            22
      Supplemental Information                                   23
      Tax Status of Unitholders                                  13
      Trustee, Information About                                 21
      Units, Description of                                      4
</TABLE>
    
 
                  3
<PAGE>
WHAT IS THE NUVEEN TAX-FREE UNIT TRUST?
 
   
This Nuveen Tax-Free  Unit Trust  is one  of a  series of  separate but  similar
investment  companies created by the  Sponsor, each of which  is designated by a
different Series number. The underlying unit investment trusts contained in this
Series  are  combined  under  one   Trust  Indenture  and  Agreement.   Specific
information  regarding this Trust is set forth in Part A of this Prospectus. The
various Nuveen Tax-Free Unit Trusts are  collectively referred to herein as  the
"Trusts"; the trusts in which few or none of the Bonds are insured are sometimes
referred  to as the "Traditional  Trusts," the trusts in  which all of the Bonds
are insured  as described  herein  are sometimes  referred  to as  the  "Insured
Trusts,"  and  the state  trusts (both  Traditional  and Insured)  are sometimes
referred to as the "State Trusts." This Series was created under the laws of the
State of New York pursuant to a Trust Indenture and Agreement dated the Date  of
Deposit  (the "Indenture") between  John Nuveen &  Co. Incorporated ("Nuveen" or
the "Sponsor") and The Chase Manhattan Bank (the "Trustee").
    
 
   
    The Sponsor has deposited with  the Trustee delivery statements relating  to
contracts  for the  purchase of municipal  debt obligations  together with funds
represented by an irrevocable letter of credit issued by a major commercial bank
in the amount, including accrued interest,  required for their purchase (or  the
obligations  themselves) (the "Bonds"). See "Schedule  of Investments" in Part A
of this Prospectus, for  a description of  the Bonds deposited  in a Trust.  See
"SUMMARY OF PORTFOLIOS" and "RISK FACTORS" for a discussion of zero coupon bonds
and  stripped obligations included in  the Trusts, if any.  Some of the delivery
statements may relate to  contracts for the purchase  of "when issued" or  other
Bonds  with delivery dates after  the date of settlement  for a purchase made on
the Date  of Deposit.  See  the "Schedule  of Investments"  in  Part A  of  this
Prospectus  and  "COMPOSITION  OF TRUSTS."  For  a discussion  of  the Sponsor's
obligations in the event of a failure of any contract for the purchase of any of
the Bonds and its limited right to substitute other bonds to replace any  failed
contract, see "COMPOSITION OF TRUSTS."
    
 
   
    Payment  of interest on the Bonds in each Insured Trust, and of principal at
maturity, is guaranteed under policies of  insurance obtained by the Sponsor  or
by  the issuers of  the Bonds. (See "WHY  AND HOW ARE THE  BONDS INSURED?") AS A
GENERAL MATTER, NEITHER THE ISSUER NOR  THE SPONSOR HAS OBTAINED INSURANCE  WITH
RESPECT TO THE BONDS IN ANY TRADITIONAL TRUST.
    
 
    The  Trustee has delivered  to the Sponsor  registered Units which represent
ownership of  the  entire  Trust,  and  which  are  offered  for  sale  by  this
Prospectus.  Each Unit of a Trust  represents a fractional undivided interest in
the principal and net income of such Trust in the ratio set forth in  "Essential
Information"  in Part A of this Prospectus. Units  may only be sold in states in
which they  are registered.  To  the extent  that any  Units  of any  Trust  are
redeemed by the Trustee, the aggregate value of the Trust's assets will decrease
by  the amount  paid to the  redeeming Unitholder, but  the fractional undivided
interest of each unredeemed  Unit in such  Trust will increase  proportionately.
The  Sponsor will  initially, and  from time to  time thereafter,  hold Units in
connection with their offering.
 
WHAT ARE THE OBJECTIVES OF THE TRUSTS?
 
   
The objectives of the Trusts are income  exempt from Federal income tax and,  in
the  case of State Trusts, where applicable, state income and intangibles taxes,
and conservation of capital, through an  investment in obligations issued by  or
on  behalf of states  and territories of  the United States  and authorities and
political subdivisions thereof,  the interest  on which  is, in  the opinion  of
recognized  bond counsel  to the  issuing governmental  authorities, exempt from
Federal income tax under existing law  and for State Trusts, from certain  state
income  taxes  and intangibles  taxes,  if any,  for  purchasers who  qualify as
residents of that State  in which Bonds are  issued. Insurance guaranteeing  the
timely  payment, when due,  of all principal  and interest on  the Bonds in each
Insured Trust has been obtained by the  Sponsor or by the issuers of such  Bonds
from  MBIA Insurance Corporation, and as a result of such insurance the Bonds in
the Insured Trusts are rated  "Aaa" by Moody's, "AAA"  by Fitch and/or "AAA"  by
Standard & Poor's. (See "WHY AND HOW ARE THE BONDS INSURED?") All obligations in
each  Traditional Trust are rated in the category  "A" or better (SP-1, MIG 2 or
F-2 or better, respectively, in the case of short term obligations included in a
Short Term  Traditional  Trust)  by  Standard &  Poor's,  Moody's  and/or  Fitch
(including  provisional or conditional  ratings). In addition,  certain Bonds in
certain Traditional Trusts may be  covered by insurance guaranteeing the  timely
payment,  when  due, of  all principal  and  interest. There  is, of  course, no
guarantee that the Trusts' objectives will be achieved. For a comparison of  net
after-tax return for various tax brackets, see the "TAXABLE EQUIVALENT ESTIMATED
CURRENT  RETURN TABLES" included in the Appendices to the Information Supplement
of this Prospectus.
    
 
SUMMARY OF PORTFOLIOS
 
   
In selecting  Bonds for  the  respective Trusts,  the following  factors,  among
others, were considered: (i) the Standard & Poor's, Moody's and/or Fitch ratings
of  the Bonds (see "WHAT ARE THE OBJECTIVES OF THE TRUSTS?" for a description of
minimum rating standards), (ii) the prices of the Bonds relative to other  bonds
of  comparable quality  and maturity, (iii)  the diversification of  Bonds as to
purpose of issue and location of issuer,  (iv) the maturity dates of the  Bonds,
and  (v)  in the  case  of the  Insured Trusts  only,  the availability  of MBIA
Insurance Corporation insurance on such Bonds.  (See "WHY AND HOW ARE THE  BONDS
INSURED?")
    
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
RISK FACTORS
 
   
An  investment in Units of any Trust should be made with an understanding of the
risks that such  an investment  may entail.  Each Trust  consists of  fixed-rate
municipal  debt  obligations. As  such, the  value of  the debt  obligations and
therefore of  the  Units will  decline  with  increases in  interest  rates.  In
general,  the longer the period until the maturity of a Bond, the more sensitive
its value will be to fluctuations in interest rates. The Sponsor cannot  predict
the  extent or timing  of such fluctuations and,  accordingly, their effect upon
the value  of the  Bonds. Additional  risk factors  include the  ability of  the
issuer,  or,  if  applicable,  an  insurer, to  make  payments  of  interest and
principal when  due, "mandatory  put" features,  early call  provisions and  the
potential  for changes in the tax status of the Bonds. As set forth in Part A of
this Prospectus, the Trusts may contain or be concentrated in one or more of the
types of bonds discussed below. The following paragraphs briefly discuss certain
circumstances which may adversely affect the ability of issuers of Bonds held in
the portfolio of a Trust to make payments of principal and interest thereon, and
which also  therefore may  adversely  affect the  ratings  of such  Bonds.  With
respect  to Insured  Trusts, however, because  of the insurance  obtained by the
Sponsor or by the issuers of the Bonds, such changes should not adversely affect
an Insured Trust's receipt  of principal and interest  or the Standard &  Poor's
"AAA",  the Moody's "Aaa" or the Fitch "AAA" ratings of the Bonds in the Insured
Trust portfolio.  The  Bonds  described  below may  be  subject  to  special  or
extraordinary   redemption  provisions.  For  economic  risks  specific  to  the
individual Trusts,  see Part  A of  this Prospectus  and the  Appendices to  the
Information Supplement of this Prospectus.
    
 
   
    ESCROW  SECURED OBLIGATIONS are  typically secured by  direct obligations of
the U.S.  Government  or  in  some cases  obligations  guaranteed  by  the  U.S.
Government  placed in  an escrow  account maintained  by an  independent trustee
until maturity  or  a  predetermined  redemption  date.  These  obligations  are
generally noncallable prior to maturity or the predetermined redemption date. In
a  few isolated instances, however,  bonds which were thought  to be escrowed to
maturity have been called for redemption prior to maturity.
    
 
   
    HEALTH CARE FACILITY OBLIGATIONS are  obligations of issuers whose  revenues
are derived from services provided by hospitals or other health care facilities,
including  nursing  homes. The  ability  of such  issuers  to make  debt service
payments on  these  obligations  is  dependent  on  various  factors,  including
occupancy  levels  of the  facility, demand  for  services, wages  of employees,
overhead  expenses,  competition  from   other  similar  providers,   government
regulation,  the cost of  malpractice insurance, and  the degree of governmental
financial assistance, including Medicare and Medicaid.
    
 
    HOUSING OBLIGATIONS are obligations of issuers whose revenues are  primarily
derived  from mortgage loans on single family residences or housing projects for
low to moderate income families. Housing obligations are generally prepayable at
any time and  therefore their average  life will ordinarily  be less than  their
stated  maturities. The ability of such issuers to make debt service payments on
these obligations is dependent on  various factors, including occupancy  levels,
rental  income, mortgage default rates,  taxes, operating expenses, governmental
regulations and the appropriation of subsidies.
 
    INDUSTRIAL  REVENUE  OBLIGATIONS  are  industrial  revenue  bonds  ("IRBs"),
including  pollution  control  revenue bonds,  which  are  tax-exempt securities
issued by  states, municipalities,  public authorities  or similar  entities  to
finance  the  cost of  acquiring, constructing  or improving  various industrial
projects. Debt  service  payment on  IRBs  is dependent  upon  various  factors,
including  the creditworthiness of the corporate operator of the project and, if
applicable, corporate guarantor, revenues  generated from the project,  expenses
associated with the project and regulatory and environmental restrictions.
 
   
    UTILITY  OBLIGATIONS are obligations of issuers whose revenues are primarily
derived from the sale of several types of energy, including electric and natural
gas. The  ability  of  such issuers  to  make  debt service  payments  on  these
obligations is dependent on various factors, including the rates for electricity
and  natural gas,  the demand  for electricity  and natural  gas, the  degree of
competition, governmental regulation, overhead expenses and variable costs, such
as fuel.
    
 
    TRANSPORTATION FACILITY REVENUE OBLIGATIONS are obligations of issuers which
are payable  from  and  secured  by revenues  derived  from  the  ownership  and
operation  of airports, public transit systems and ports. The ability of issuers
to make  debt  service payments  on  airport  obligations is  dependent  on  the
capability  of airlines to  meet their obligations under  use agreements. Due to
increased competition,  deregulation, increased  fuel costs  and other  factors,
many  airlines may  have difficulty  meeting their  obligations under  these use
agreements. Bonds  that are  secured primarily  by the  revenue collected  by  a
public  transit system typically  are additionally secured by  a pledge of sales
tax receipts collected  at the state  or local level,  or of other  governmental
financial  assistance. The revenue of issuers of transit system obligations will
be affected by variations in utilization, which  in turn may be affected by  the
degree  of  local governmental  subsidization, competition  from other  forms of
transportation, and  increased costs.  Port  authorities derive  their  revenues
primarily  from fees imposed  on ships using the  facilities which may fluctuate
depending on  the local  economy  and on  competition  from competing  forms  of
transportation  such  as air,  rail and  trucks. The  revenues of  issuers which
derive their  payments  from bridge,  road  or  tunnel toll  revenues  could  be
adversely  affected  by  increases  in fuel  costs,  competition  from toll-free
vehicular bridges and roads and alternative modes of transportation.
 
   
    WATER AND/OR SEWERAGE OBLIGATIONS are obligations of issuers whose  revenues
are  payable from user fees from the sale of water and/or sewerage services. The
problems  of  such  issuers  include  the  ability  to  obtain  rate  increases,
population  declines,  the limitations  on  operations and  increased  costs and
delays attributable to environmental considerations, the difficulties  obtaining
new supplies of fresh water, the effect of conservation programs and "no-growth"
zoning ordinances.
    
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
    UNIVERSITY  AND COLLEGE REVENUE OBLIGATIONS are obligations of issuers whose
revenues are  derived  mainly  from  tuition,  dormitory  revenues,  grants  and
endowments.  General  problems faced  by such  issuers  include declines  in the
number of "college" age  individuals, possible inability  to raise tuitions  and
fees,  the uncertainty of continued receipt of Federal grants and state funding,
and government  legislation  or  regulations  which  may  adversely  affect  the
revenues or costs of such issuers.
 
    DEDICATED-TAX  SUPPORTED OBLIGATIONS  are obligations  of issuers  which are
payable from  and  secured by  tax  revenues  from a  designated  source,  which
revenues  are pledged to secure the bonds.  The various types of Bonds described
below differ in structure and with respect  to the rights of the bondholders  to
the  underlying property. Each type of dedicated-tax supported Bond has distinct
risks, only  some  of which  are  set forth  below.  One type  of  dedicated-tax
supported  Bond  is  secured by  the  incremental  tax received  on  either real
property or on sales within a  specifically defined geographical area; such  tax
generally will not provide bondholders with a lien on the underlying property or
revenues.  Another type of dedicated-tax supported  Bond is secured by a special
tax levied on real property within a defined geographical area in such a  manner
that  the  tax is  levied  on those  who benefit  from  the project;  such bonds
typically provide for  a statutory lien  on the underlying  property for  unpaid
taxes.  A third  type of dedicated-tax  supported Bond  may be secured  by a tax
levied upon the  manufacture, sale  or consumption  of commodities  or upon  the
license  to pursue  certain occupations  or upon  corporate privileges  within a
taxing jurisdiction. As  to any  of these  types of  Bonds, the  ability of  the
designated revenues to satisfy the interest and principal payments on such bonds
may  be affected by changes  in the local economy,  the financial success of the
enterprise responsible for the payment of  the taxes, the value of any  property
on which taxes may be assessed and the ability to collect such taxes in a timely
fashion.  Each of these  factors will have  a different affect  on each distinct
type of dedicated-tax supported bonds.
 
    MUNICIPAL LEASE  OBLIGATIONS  are  obligations that  are  secured  by  lease
payments  of a  governmental entity  and are  normally subject  to annual budget
appropriations of the  leasing governmental entity.  A governmental entity  that
enters  into  such  a  lease agreement  cannot  obligate  future  governments to
appropriate for and make lease payments but covenants to take such action as  is
necessary  to include  any lease  payments due  in its  budgets and  to make the
appropriations therefor. A governmental entity's failure to appropriate for  and
to  make payments under its lease  obligation could result in insufficient funds
available for payment of the obligations secured thereby.
 
    ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT OBLIGATIONS AND STRIPPED OBLIGATIONS are bonds which
were issued with  nominal interest  rates less than  the rates  then offered  by
comparable  securities and as  a consequence were originally  sold at a discount
from their face,  or par,  values. In a  stable interest  rate environment,  the
market  value of  an original  issue discount bond  would tend  to increase more
slowly in early years and in greater increments as the bond approached maturity.
 
    Certain of the original  issue discount obligations in  a Trust may be  zero
coupon  bonds. Zero coupon bonds  do not provide for  the payment of any current
interest; the buyer receives only  the right to receive  a final payment of  the
face  amount  of the  bond at  its maturity.  Zero coupon  bonds are  subject to
substantially greater  price  fluctuations  during periods  of  changing  market
interest  rates  than are  securities of  comparable  quality that  pay interest
currently.
 
    Original issue discount  obligations, including  zero coupon  bonds, may  be
subject  to redemption  at prices based  on the  issue price plus  the amount of
original issue discount accreted to  redemption (the "accreted value") plus,  if
applicable,  some premium. Pursuant  to such call  provisions, an original issue
discount bond may be called prior to its maturity date at a price less than  its
face  value.  See the  "Schedule of  Investments"  appearing in  Part A  of this
Prospectus for more information about the call provisions of portfolio Bonds.
 
    Certain of the Bonds in a Trust may be stripped obligations, which represent
evidences of  ownership with  respect to  either the  principal amount  of or  a
payment  of interest on  a tax-exempt obligation  ("Stripped Obligations"). Each
Stripped Obligation has been purchased at a discount from the amount payable  at
maturity.  A Stripped Obligation therefore  has economic characteristics similar
to zero coupon bonds, as described above.
 
    Unitholders should consult their own tax advisers with respect to the  state
and  local tax consequences of owning  original issue discount bonds or Stripped
Obligations. Under applicable  provisions governing determination  of state  and
local  taxes,  interest  on  original  issue  discount  obligations  or Stripped
Obligations may be  deemed to be  received in  the year of  accrual even  though
there is no corresponding cash payment.
 
    Certain  bonds may carry a "mandatory put" (also referred to as a "mandatory
tender" or "mandatory repurchase") feature pursuant to which the holder of  such
bonds will receive payment of the full principal amount thereof on a stated date
prior  to the maturity date unless such  holder affirmatively acts to retain the
bond. The Trustee does not have the  authority to act to retain Bonds with  such
features;  accordingly, it will receive payment  of the full principal amount of
any such Bonds on the stated put date and such date is therefore treated as  the
maturity date of such Bonds in selecting Bonds for the respective Trusts and for
purposes of calculating the average maturity of the Bonds in any Trust.
 
COMPOSITION OF TRUSTS
 
Each  Trust initially consists  of delivery statements  relating to contracts to
purchase Bonds (or of such Bonds) as are listed under "Schedule of  Investments"
in  Part A of this Prospectus and, thereafter,  of such Bonds as may continue to
be held from time to time  (including certain securities deposited in the  Trust
in    substitution   for    Bonds   not   delivered    to   a    Trust   or   in
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
exchange or  substitution  for Bonds  upon  certain refundings),  together  with
accrued  and undistributed interest thereon and undistributed cash realized from
the disposition of Bonds.
 
   
    "WHEN-ISSUED"  AND  "DELAYED  DELIVERY"  TRANSACTIONS.    The  contracts  to
purchase  Bonds delivered to  the Trustee represent an  obligation by issuers or
dealers to deliver Bonds to  the Sponsor for deposit  in the Trusts. Certain  of
the  contracts relate  to Bonds  which have not  been issued  as of  the Date of
Deposit and which are commonly referred to as "when issued" or "when, as and  if
issued"  Bonds. Although  the Sponsor  believes it  unlikely, if  such Bonds, or
replacement bonds  described below,  are not  acquired by  a Trust  or if  their
delivery  is  delayed, the  Estimated Current  Returns  and Estimated  Long Term
Returns shown  in Part  A of  this Prospectus  may be  reduced. Certain  of  the
contracts for the purchase of Bonds provide for delivery dates after the date of
settlement  for purchases made  on the Date  of Deposit. Interest  on such "when
issued" and  "delayed delivery"  Bonds  accrues to  the benefit  of  Unitholders
commencing with the first settlement date for the Units. However, in the opinion
of  counsel, Unitholders who purchase  their Units prior to  the date such Bonds
are actually delivered to the Trustee must  reduce the tax basis of their  Units
for  interest accruing on such Bonds  during the interval between their purchase
of Units and the delivery of the Bonds because such amounts constitute a  return
of  principal. As a result of such adjustment, the Estimated Current Returns set
forth in Part A of this Prospectus (which are based on the Public Offering Price
as of the business day prior to the Date of Deposit) may be slightly lower  than
that which Unitholders will receive after the first year, assuming the Portfolio
does  not change and estimated annual expense  does not vary from that set forth
under "Essential Information" in Part A of this Prospectus. Those Bonds in  each
Trust  purchased with delivery dates after  the date of settlement for purchases
made on the Date  of Deposit are  so noted in the  "Schedule of Investments"  in
Part A of this Prospectus.
    
 
    LIMITED  REPLACEMENT OF CERTAIN BONDS.   Neither the Sponsor nor the Trustee
shall be liable in any  way for any default, failure  or defect in any Bond.  In
the  event of a failure to deliver any  Bond that has been purchased for a Trust
under a contract, including those  Bonds purchased on a  when, as and if  issued
basis  ("Failed Bonds"), the Sponsor is authorized under the Indenture to direct
the Trustee to acquire  other specified Bonds ("Replacement  Bonds") to make  up
the  original corpus of the Trust within 20 days after delivery of notice of the
failed contract and the  cost to the Trust  (exclusive of accrued interest)  may
not  exceed the amount of  funds reserved for the  purchase of the Failed Bonds.
The Replacement Bonds  must satisfy  the criteria previously  described for  the
Trusts  and shall be substantially identical to the Failed Bonds they replace in
terms of (i) the exemption from  federal and state taxation; (ii) maturity  and;
(iii)  cost to the Trust. In addition,  Replacement Bonds shall not be "when, as
and if issued" Bonds. Whenever a Replacement Bond has been acquired for a Trust,
the Trustee shall, within five days after the delivery thereof, mail or  deliver
a  notice of such acquisition to all Unitholders of the Trust involved. Once the
original corpus of the Trust is acquired, the Trustee will have no power to vary
the investment of the Trust.
 
    To the extent Replacement Bonds are  not acquired, the Sponsor shall  refund
to  all Unitholders of the Trust involved  the sales charge attributable to such
Failed Bonds not replaced, and  the principal and accrued interest  attributable
to such Bonds shall be distributed not more than 30 days after the determination
of  such failure or at  such earlier time as the  Trustee in its sole discretion
deems to be in the interest of  the Unitholders. Any such accrued interest  paid
to Unitholders will be paid by the Sponsor and, accordingly, will not be treated
as  tax-exempt  income.  In the  event  Failed Bonds  in  a Trust  could  not be
replaced, the  Net Annual  Interest Income  per  Unit for  such Trust  would  be
reduced and the Estimated Current Return thereon might be lowered.
 
    SALE,  MATURITY AND REDEMPTION OF BONDS.  Certain of the Bonds may from time
to time  under certain  circumstances be  sold  or redeemed  or will  mature  in
accordance  with their terms. The proceeds from  such events will be used to pay
for  Units  redeemed   or  distributed  to   Unitholders  and  not   reinvested;
accordingly,  no assurance can be given that  a Trust will retain for any length
of time its present size and composition.
 
   
    All of the Bonds in  each Trust are subject to  being called or redeemed  in
whole  or in  part prior  to their  stated maturities  pursuant to  the optional
redemption provisions described in  the "Schedule of Investments"  in Part A  of
this  Prospectus and  in most  cases pursuant  to a  sinking fund  or special or
extraordinary redemption provisions. See the discussion of the various types  of
bond  issues,  above, for  information  on the  call  provisions of  such bonds,
particularly single family mortgage revenue bonds.
    
 
   
    The exercise of redemption or call provisions will (except to the extent the
proceeds of the called Bonds are used to pay for Unit redemptions) result in the
distribution of  principal  and may  result  in a  reduction  in the  amount  of
subsequent  interest distributions;  it may  also affect  the current  return on
Units of the Trust  involved. The exercise of  redemption or call provisions  is
more  likely  to occur  in  situations where  the  Bonds have  an  offering side
evaluation which represents a  premium over par (as  opposed to a discount  from
par).  (In  the  case  of  original issue  discount  bonds,  such  redemption is
generally to  be made  at the  issue price  plus the  amount of  original  issue
discount accreted to the date of redemption; such price is referred to herein as
"accreted  value"). Because Bonds may have been  valued at prices above or below
par value or the then current accreted  value at the time Units were  purchased,
Unitholders  may realize  gain or loss  upon the redemption  of portfolio Bonds.
(See "WHAT IS THE TAX STATUS  OF UNITHOLDERS?" and "WHEN ARE DISTRIBUTIONS  MADE
TO  UNITHOLDERS?" in Part B and the "Schedule  of Investments" in Part A of this
Prospectus.)
    
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
   
    CERTAIN TAX  MATTERS;  LITIGATION.    Certain of  the  Bonds  in  a  Trust's
portfolio  may be subject to continuing requirements regarding the actual use of
bond proceeds,  the  manner of  operation  of  the project  financed  from  bond
proceeds  or the rebate  of excess earnings  on bond proceeds,  any of which may
affect the exemption  of interest on  such Bonds from  Federal income  taxation.
Although  at the time of issuance of each  of the Bonds in each Trust an opinion
of bond counsel was rendered as to the exemption of interest on such obligations
from Federal income  taxation, and  the issuers  covenanted to  comply with  all
requirements  necessary to retain the tax-exempt  status of the Bonds, there can
be  no  assurance  that  the  respective  issuers  or  other  obligors  on  such
obligations  will fulfill  the various continuing  requirements established upon
issuance of the Bonds. A  failure to comply with  such requirements may cause  a
determination  that interest  on such obligations  is subject  to Federal income
taxation, perhaps even retroactively  from the date of  issuance of such  Bonds,
thereby   reducing  the  value  of  the  Bonds  and  subjecting  Unitholders  to
unanticipated tax liabilities.
    
 
    To the best knowledge of the Sponsor,  there is no litigation pending as  of
the  Date of Deposit in respect of  any Bonds which might reasonably be expected
to have a  material adverse effect  on any of  the Trusts. It  is possible  that
after  the Date of Deposit, litigation may be initiated with respect to Bonds in
any Trust. Any  such litigation may  affect the  validity of such  Bonds or  the
tax-exempt  nature of the interest thereon,  but while the outcome of litigation
of such nature can never be entirely predicted, the opinions of bond counsel  to
the  issuer of  each Bond  on the date  of issuance  state that  such Bonds were
validly issued and that the interest thereon is, to the extent indicated, exempt
from Federal income tax.
 
WHY AND HOW ARE THE BONDS INSURED?
 
   
Insurance guaranteeing  the  timely payment,  when  due, of  all  principal  and
interest  on the Bonds in each Insured Trust has been obtained by the Sponsor or
by the issuers or underwriters of the Bonds from the MBIA Insurance  Corporation
(the  "Insurer"). Certain of the  Bonds in an Insured Trust  may be covered by a
policy or policies of insurance obtained  by the issuers or underwriters of  the
Bonds  from  Municipal Bond  Insurance Association  (the "Association")  or Bond
Investors Guaranty Insurance Company ("BIG"). The claims-paying ability of  both
the  Insurer  and the  Association was  rated  "AAA Prime  Grade" by  Standard &
Poor's. Moody's  rates all  bond issues  insured by  either the  Insurer or  the
Association  "Aaa" and short-term loans "MIG  1." Fitch, upon request, rates all
bond issues insured by the Insurer or the Association "AAA" and short-term loans
"F-1." All such ratings designate the highest quality. The Insurer has issued  a
policy  or  policies of  insurance covering  each  of the  Bonds in  the Insured
Trusts, each policy to remain in force  until the payment in full of such  Bonds
and  whether or not  the Bonds continue to  be held by an  Insured Trust. By the
terms of each policy the Insurer  will unconditionally guarantee to the  holders
or  owners of  the Bonds the  payment, when due,  required of the  issuer of the
Bonds of an amount equal to the principal  of and interest on the Bonds as  such
payments  shall become  due but  not be paid  (except that  in the  event of any
acceleration of the  due date of  principal by reason  of mandatory or  optional
redemption,  default or otherwise, the payments  guaranteed will be made in such
amounts and  at  such times  as  would  have been  due  had there  not  been  an
acceleration).
    
 
   
    Insurance  guaranteeing the timely  payment, when due,  of all principal and
interest on certain Bonds in a Traditional  Trust may have been obtained by  the
Sponsor,  issuer or underwriter  of the particular Bonds  involved or by another
party. Such insurance, which  provides coverage substantially  the same as  that
obtained  with  respect  to  Bonds  in Insured  Trusts  as  described  above, is
effective so long as the insured Bond is outstanding and the insurer remains  in
business.  Insurance relates only  to the particular  Bond and not  to the Units
offered hereby or to their market value. Insured Bonds have received a rating of
"Aaa" by  Moody's,  "AAA"  by  Fitch  and/or  "AAA"  by  Standard  &  Poor's  in
recognition of such insurance.
    
 
   
    If  a Bond in a Traditional Trust  is insured, the "Schedule of Investments"
appearing in Part A of this Prospectus  will identify the insurer. There can  be
no  assurance  that any  insurer  listed therein  will  be able  to  satisfy its
commitments in the  event claims  are made in  the future.  However, Standard  &
Poor's,  Fitch  and/or  Moody's have  rated  the claims-paying  ability  of each
insurer "AAA," "AAA" or "Aaa," respectively.
    
 
   
    The Insurer is the principal operating subsidiary of MBIA, Inc., a New  York
Stock  Exchange listed company. MBIA, Inc. is  not obligated to pay the debts of
or claims against the Insurer. The Insurer is domiciled in the State of New York
and licensed to do business in and  subject to regulation under the laws of  all
50  states,  the District  of  Columbia, the  Commonwealth  of Puerto  Rico, the
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands,  the Virgin Islands of the  United
States  and the Territory of Guam. The Insurer has two European branches, one in
the Republic of France and the other in the Kingdom of Spain. New York has  laws
prescribing minimum capital requirements, limiting classes and concentrations of
investments  and requiring  the approval of  policy rates and  forms. State laws
also regulate the amount of both the aggregate and individual risks that may  be
insured,  the  payment  of dividends  by  the  insurer, changes  in  control and
transactions among affiliates. Additionally, the Insurer is required to maintain
contingency reserves  on its  liabilities  in certain  amounts and  for  certain
periods of time.
    
 
   
    As  of December  31, 1995  the Insurer had  admitted assets  of $3.8 billion
(audited), total liabilities of  $2.5 billion (audited),  and total capital  and
surplus  of  $1.3  billion  (audited) determined  in  accordance  with statutory
accounting  practices   prescribed   or  permitted   by   insurance   regulatory
authorities.  As of September 30, 1996, the  Insurer had admitted assets of $4.3
billion (unaudited), total  liabilities of $2.9  billion (unaudited), and  total
capital  and surplus of  $1.4 billion (unaudited)  determined in accordance with
statutory accounting practices prescribed  or permitted by insurance  regulatory
authorities.
    
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
    The  Association is comprised  of the five insurance  companies set forth in
the following table, which provides certain unaudited financial information with
respect to each of the five insurance companies comprising the Association.
 
   
                      MUNICIPAL BOND INSURANCE ASSOCIATION
      FIVE MEMBER COMPANIES ASSETS AND POLICYHOLDERS' SURPLUS (UNAUDITED)
                             AS OF MARCH 31, 1995.
                                (000'S OMITTED)
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               NEW YORK      NEW YORK       NEW YORK
                                                                              STATUTORY     STATUTORY    POLICYHOLDERS
                                                                                ASSETS     LIABILITIES      SURPLUS
                                                                             ------------  ------------  --------------
<S>                                                                          <C>           <C>           <C>
The AEtna Casualty & Surety Company........................................  $ 10,225,604  $  8,312,158  $   1,913,446
Fireman's Fund Insurance Company...........................................     7,126,217     5,116,059      2,010,158
The Travelers Indemnity Company............................................    10,461,356     8,654,130      1,807,226
CIGNA Property and Casualty Company (formerly Aetna Insurance Company).....     4,260,177     3,637,513        622,664
The Continental Insurance Company..........................................     3,060,583     2,380,723        679,860
                                                                             ------------  ------------  --------------
        Total..............................................................  $ 35,133,937  $ 28,100,583  $   7,033,354
                                                                             ------------  ------------  --------------
                                                                             ------------  ------------  --------------
</TABLE>
    
 
   
    Insurance companies  are subject  to  extensive regulation  and  supervision
where  they  do  business  by state  insurance  commissioners  who  regulate the
standards of solvency which must be maintained, the nature of and limitations on
investments, reports of financial condition, and requirements regarding reserves
for unearned premiums, losses  and other matters. A  significant portion of  the
assets  of insurance companies is required by  law to be held in reserve against
potential claims on policies and is not available to general creditors. Although
the federal  government does  not regulate  the business  of insurance,  federal
initiatives  including  pension  regulation,  controls  on  medical  care costs,
minimum standards for no-fault automobile insurance, national health  insurance,
tax  law changes affecting life insurance  companies and repeal of the antitrust
exemption for  the insurance  business can  significantly impact  the  insurance
business.
    
 
    The  above ratings are not  recommendations to buy, sell  or hold the Bonds,
and such ratings may  be subject to  revision or withdrawal at  any time by  the
rating  agencies. Any downward revision or  withdrawal of either or both ratings
may have an adverse effect on the market price of the Bonds. See the Information
Supplement--for further information concerning insurance.
 
    Because the insurance on the Bonds, if any, will be effective so long as the
Bonds are outstanding, such insurance will be taken into account in  determining
the  market value  of the  Bonds and therefore  some value  attributable to such
insurance will be included in the value of the Units of the Insured Trusts.  The
insurance  does not, however, guarantee the market  value of the Bonds or of the
Units.
 
HOW IS THE PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE DETERMINED?
 
The Public Offering Price of the Units  of each Trust is equal to the  Trustee's
determination  of the aggregate  OFFERING prices of  the Bonds deposited therein
(minus any  advancement  to the  principal  account of  the  Trust made  by  the
Trustee)  plus a sales charge set forth  in "Essential Information" in Part A of
this Prospectus, in  each case  adding to  the total  thereof cash  held by  the
Trust,  if  any,  and  dividing the  sum  so  obtained by  the  number  of Units
outstanding in the Trust. See "UNIT VALUE AND EVALUATION."
 
   
    The sales charge applicable to quantity purchases is reduced on a  graduated
scale  for sales to any purchaser  of at least $50,000 or  500 Units and will be
applied on whichever basis is more  favorable to the purchaser. For purposes  of
calculating  the applicable  sales charge,  purchasers who  have indicated their
intent to purchase a specified  amount of Units of any  Trust in the primary  or
secondary  offering period by executing and delivering a letter of intent to the
Sponsor, which letter of intent must be in a form acceptable to the Sponsor  and
shall  have a maximum duration of thirteen months, will be eligible to receive a
reduced sales charge according  to the following tables  based on the amount  of
intended  aggregate  purchases as  expressed  in the  letter  of intent.  Due to
administrative limitations and in  order to permit  adequate tracking, the  only
secondary  market  purchases that  will be  permitted to  be applied  toward the
intended specified amount and that will receive the corresponding reduced  sales
charge  are  those Units  that  are acquired  through  or from  the  Sponsor. By
establishing a letter of intent, a Unitholder agrees that the first purchase  of
Units  following the execution of  such letter of intent will  be at least 5% of
the  total  amount  of  the  intended  aggregate  purchases  expressed  in  such
Unitholder's  letter of intent. Further, through the establishment of the letter
of intent, such Unitholder agrees that Units representing 5% of the total amount
of the  intended  purchases  will be  held  in  escrow by  the  Trustee  pending
completion of these purchases. All distributions on Units held in escrow will be
credited  to  such  Unitholder's  account.  If  total  purchases  prior  to  the
expiration of the letter of intent  period equal or exceed the amount  specified
in a Unitholder's letter of intent, the Units held in escrow will be transferred
to such Unitholder's account. A Unitholder who purchases Units during the letter
of  intent period in excess  of the number of  Units specified in a Unitholder's
letter of intent, the amount of which would cause the Unitholder to be  eligible
to receive an additional sales charge reduction, will be allowed such additional
sales  charge reduction on the purchase of  Units which caused the Unitholder to
reach such  new  breakpoint level  and  on  all additional  purchases  of  Units
    
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
   
during  the letter of  intent period. If  the total purchases  are less than the
amount specified, the Unitholder involved must  pay the Sponsor an amount  equal
to  the difference between the amounts paid  for these purchases and the amounts
which would have  been paid if  the higher  sales charge had  been applied;  the
Unitholder  will, however, be entitled to any reduced sales charge qualified for
by reaching any  lower breakpoint  level. If such  Unitholder does  not pay  the
additional  amount within 20  days after written  request by the  Sponsor or the
Unitholder's securities representative, the Sponsor will instruct the Trustee to
redeem an appropriate number of the escrowed Units to meet the required payment.
By establishing  a  letter of  intent,  a Unitholder  irrevocably  appoints  the
Sponsor  as  attorney  to  give  instructions  to  redeem  any  or  all  of such
Unitholder's escrowed Units, with full power of substitution in the premises.  A
Unitholder  or his  securities representative  must notify  the Sponsor whenever
such Unitholder makes a purchase of Units  that he wishes to be counted  towards
the  intended amount.  Sales charges during  the primary offering  period are as
follows:
    
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                              NATIONAL AND
                                                                                                                 STATE
                                          NATIONAL AND STATE LONG TERM                                        INTERMEDIATE
                                                     TRUSTS                   LONG INTERMEDIATE TRUSTS           TRUSTS
                                          -----------------------------     -----------------------------     ------------
<S>                                       <C>              <C>              <C>              <C>              <C>
                                            PERCENT          PERCENT          PERCENT          PERCENT          PERCENT
                                               OF             OF NET             OF             OF NET             OF
                                            OFFERING          AMOUNT          OFFERING          AMOUNT          OFFERING
            NUMBER OF UNITS*                 PRICE           INVESTED          PRICE           INVESTED          PRICE
- ----------------------------------------  ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------
Less than 500...........................         4.90 %          5.152 %           4.25 %          4.439 %           3.90%
500 but less than 1,000.................         4.75            4.987             4.15            4.330             3.70
1,000 but less than 2,500...............         4.50            4.712             3.85            4.004             3.50
2,500 but less than 5,000...............         4.25            4.439             3.60            3.734             3.25
5,000 but less than 10,000..............         3.50            3.627             3.35            3.466             3.00
10,000 but less than 25,000.............         3.00            3.093             3.00            3.093             2.75
25,000 but less than 50,000.............         2.50            2.564             2.50            2.564             2.50
50,000 or more..........................         2.00            2.041             2.00            2.041             2.00
 
<CAPTION>
 
<S>                                       <C>
                                            PERCENT
                                             OF NET
                                             AMOUNT
            NUMBER OF UNITS*                INVESTED
- ----------------------------------------  ------------
Less than 500...........................        4.058 %
500 but less than 1,000.................        3.842
1,000 but less than 2,500...............        3.627
2,500 but less than 5,000...............        3.359
5,000 but less than 10,000..............        3.093
10,000 but less than 25,000.............        2.828
25,000 but less than 50,000.............        2.564
50,000 or more..........................        2.041
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            NATIONAL AND STATE SHORT
                                               INTERMEDIATE TRUSTS                SHORT TERM TRUSTS
                                          -----------------------------     -----------------------------
<S>                                       <C>              <C>              <C>              <C>
                                            PERCENT          PERCENT          PERCENT          PERCENT
                                               OF             OF NET             OF             OF NET
                                            OFFERING          AMOUNT          OFFERING          AMOUNT
            NUMBER OF UNITS*                 PRICE           INVESTED          PRICE           INVESTED
- ----------------------------------------  ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------
Less than 500...........................         3.00 %          3.093 %           2.50 %          2.564 %
500 but less than 1,000.................         2.80            2.881             2.30            2.354
1,000 but less than 2,500...............         2.60            2.670             2.10            2.145
2,500 but less than 5,000...............         2.35            2.407             1.85            1.885
5,000 but less than 10,000..............         2.10            2.145             1.60            1.626
10,000 but less than 25,000.............         1.85            1.885             1.35            1.368
25,000 but less than 50,000.............         1.80            1.833             1.25            1.266
50,000 or more..........................         1.50            1.523             1.15            1.163
</TABLE>
 
*Breakpoint sales charges are computed both on  a dollar basis and on the  basis
 of the number of Units purchased, using the equivalent of 500 Units to $50,000,
 2,500  Units to $250,000 etc., and will be  applied on that basis which is more
 favorable to the purchaser.
 
    For "secondary market"  sales the  Public Offering  Price per  Unit of  each
Trust is determined by adding to the Trustee's determination of the BID price of
each  Bond in the Trust  a sales charge determined  in accordance with the table
set forth below based upon the number of years remaining to the maturity of each
such Bond. See "UNIT VALUE AND EVALUATION."  The effect of this method of  sales
charge  calculation will be that different sales charge rates will be applied to
the various Bonds in a Trust portfolio based upon the maturities of such  Bonds.
As  shown, the sales charge  on Bonds in each  maturity range (and therefore the
aggregate sales charge on the purchase) is reduced with respect to purchases  of
at least $50,000 or 500 Units:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       AMOUNT OF PURCHASE*
                              -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                           <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
                                            $50,000      $100,000     $250,000     $500,000    $1,000,000   $2,500,000
                                UNDER          TO           TO           TO           TO           TO           TO       $5,000,000
YEARS TO MATURITY              $50,000      $99,999      $249,999     $499,999     $999,999    $2,499,999   $4,999,999    OR MORE
- ----------------------------------------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------
Less than 1...................         0           0            0            0            0            0            0            0
1 but less than 2.............     1.523 %     1.446 %      1.369 %      1.317 %      1.215 %      1.061 %       .900 %       .750 %
2 but less than 3.............     2.041       1.937        1.833        1.729        1.626        1.420        1.225        1.030
3 but less than 4.............     2.564       2.433        2.302        2.175        2.041        1.781        1.546        1.310
4 but less than 5.............     3.093       2.961        2.828        2.617        2.459        2.175        1.883        1.590
5 but less than 7.............     3.627       3.433        3.239        3.093        2.881        2.460        2.165        1.870
7 but less than 10............     4.167       3.951        3.734        3.520        3.239        2.828        2.489        2.150
10 but less than 13...........     4.712       4.467        4.221        4.004        3.788        3.253        2.842        2.430
13 but less than 16...........     5.263       4.988        4.712        4.439        4.167        3.627        3.169        2.710
16 or more....................     5.820       5.542        5.263        4.987        4.603        4.004        3.500        3.000
</TABLE>
 
 *Breakpoint  sales charges are computed both on a dollar basis and on the basis
  of the  number  of Units  purchased,  using the  equivalent  of 500  Units  to
  $50,000,  2,500 Units  to $250,000,  etc., and will  be applied  on that basis
  which is more favorable to the purchaser.
 
    The secondary market sales charges above  are expressed as a percent of  the
net  amount invested; expressed as  a percent of the  Public Offering Price, the
maximum sales charge on a Trust,  for instance one consisting entirely of  Bonds
with  16 years  or more to  maturity, would be  5.50% (5.820% of  the net amount
invested). The  actual secondary  market  sales charge  included in  the  Public
Offering  Price of  any particular  Trust will depend  on the  maturities of the
Bonds in the portfolio of such Trust.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
    Pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, the Trustee may terminate a Trust if
the net asset value of such Trust, as shown by any evaluation, is less than  20%
of the original principal amount of the Trust.
 
   
    At  all  times while  Units are  being  offered for  sale, the  Sponsor will
appraise or cause to  be appraised daily  the value of  the underlying Bonds  in
each  Trust as of 4:00 p.m. eastern time, or as of any earlier closing time on a
day on  which the  New York  Stock  Exchange (the  "Exchange") is  scheduled  in
advance  to close at such earlier time and will adjust the Public Offering Price
of the Units commensurate with such  appraisal. Such Public Offering Price  will
be  effective for all orders received by a  dealer or the Sponsor at or prior to
4:00 p.m. eastern time on each such day  or as of any earlier closing time on  a
day on which the Exchange is scheduled in advance to close at such earlier time.
Orders  received after that time, or on a  day when the Exchange is closed for a
scheduled holiday  or weekend,  will be  held until  the next  determination  of
price.
    
 
   
    Accrued  interest from the preceding Record  Date to, but not including, the
settlement date of the transaction (three business days after purchase) will  be
added to the Public Offering Price to determine the purchase price of Units. See
"WHAT IS ACCRUED INTEREST?"
    
 
   
    The  graduated sales  charges set forth  above will apply  on all applicable
purchases of Nuveen  investment company securities  on any one  day by the  same
purchaser  in the amounts stated, and for  this purpose purchases of this Series
will be aggregated with concurrent purchases of any other Series or of shares of
any open-end management  investment company  of which the  Sponsor is  principal
underwriter and with respect to the purchase of which a sales charge is imposed.
Purchases  by  or for  the account  of individuals  and their  spouses, parents,
children, grandchildren, grandparents, parents-in-law, sons- and
daughters-in-law,  siblings,  a  sibling's   spouse  and  a  spouse's   siblings
("immediate  family  members") will  be aggregated  to determine  the applicable
sales charge. The graduated  sales charges are also  applicable to a trustee  or
other  fiduciary  purchasing  securities for  a  single trust  estate  or single
fiduciary account. Units may be purchased at the Public Offering Price without a
sales charge by officers or directors  and by bona fide, full-time employees  of
Nuveen,  Nuveen Advisory Corp., Nuveen Institutional Advisory Corp. and The John
Nuveen Company, including  in each  case these individuals  and their  immediate
family members (as defined above).
    
 
   
    Units  may be purchased in the primary market with sales charges of 1.70% of
the Public Offering Price for National and State Long Term Trusts, 1.35% of  the
Public Offering Price for Long Intermediate Trusts, 1.20% of the Public Offering
Price  for National and  State Intermediate Trusts, 1.0%  of the Public Offering
Price for National and  State Short Intermediate Trusts  and 1.0% of the  Public
Offering Price for Short Term Trusts by (1) investors who purchase Units through
registered  investment  advisers,  certified financial  planners  and registered
broker-dealers who  in  each case  either  charge periodic  fees  for  financial
planning,  investment  advisory or  asset management  services, or  provide such
services in connection with the establishment of an investment account for which
a comprehensive  "wrap  fee"  charge  is imposed,  (2)  bank  trust  departments
investing  funds  over which  they  exercise exclusive  discretionary investment
authority and  that  are held  in  a  fiduciary, agency,  custodial  or  similar
capacity, (3) any person who for at least 90 days, has been an officer, director
or  bona fide employee of any firm offering Units for sale to investors or their
immediate family members (as  defined above) and (4)  officers and directors  of
bank   holding  companies  that   make  Units  available   directly  or  through
subsidiaries or bank affiliates  (collectively, the "Discounted Purchases").  In
addition,  such  investors may  purchase Units  in the  secondary market  at the
Public Offering  Price for  non-breakpoint purchases  minus the  concession  the
Sponsor  typically allows to  brokers and dealers  for non-breakpoint purchases.
Notwithstanding anything  to  the contrary  in  this Prospectus,  investors  who
purchase  Units as  described in  this paragraph  will not  receive sales charge
reductions for quantity purchases.
    
 
    The initial or primary Public Offering Price  of the Units in each Trust  is
based upon a pro rata share of the OFFERING prices per Unit of the Bonds in such
Trust  plus the  applicable sales charge.  The secondary  market Public Offering
Price of each Trust is based upon a pro rata share of the BID prices per Unit of
the Bonds in such Trust plus the applicable sales charge. The OFFERING prices of
Bonds in a Trust may be expected to average between 1/2% to 2% more than the BID
prices of such  Bonds. The difference  between the bid  side evaluation and  the
offering side evaluation of the Bonds in each Trust on the business day prior to
the Date of Deposit is shown in the discussion of each Trust portfolio.
 
    Whether  or not Units are being offered for sale, the Sponsor will determine
the aggregate value of each Trust as of 4:00 p.m. eastern time: (i) on each June
30 or December 31 (or, if such date is not a business day, the last business day
prior thereto), (ii) on any day on  which a Unit is tendered for redemption  (or
the  next succeeding business day  if the date of  tender is a non-business day)
and (iii) at such other times as may be necessary. For this purpose, a "business
day" shall be any day on which  the Exchange is normally open. (See "UNIT  VALUE
AND EVALUATION.")
 
MARKET FOR UNITS
 
   
During  the  initial public  offering period,  the Sponsor  intends to  offer to
purchase Units of each  Trust at a  price equivalent to the  pro rata share  per
Unit  of the OFFERING prices of the Bonds in such Trust (plus accrued interest).
Afterward, although  it  is not  obligated  to do  so,  the Sponsor  intends  to
maintain  a secondary  market for  Units of  each Trust  at its  own expense and
continuously to offer  to purchase  Units of each  Trust at  prices, subject  to
change  at  any time,  which  are based  upon  the BID  prices  of Bonds  in the
respective portfolios of the  Trusts. UNITHOLDERS WHO WISH  TO DISPOSE OF  THEIR
UNITS SHOULD INQUIRE OF THE TRUSTEE OR THEIR BROKER AS TO THE CURRENT REDEMPTION
PRICE.  (See "HOW UNITS MAY BE REDEEMED WITHOUT CHARGE?") In connection with its
secondary marketmaking activities, the Sponsor may from time to time enter  into
secondary  market  joint  account  agreements with  other  brokers  and dealers.
Pursuant to such an agreement, the Sponsor will
    
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
purchase Units from the  broker or dealer  at the bid price  and will place  the
Units  into a joint account managed by  the Sponsor; sales from the account will
be made in accordance with the then  current prospectus and the Sponsor and  the
broker  or  dealer  will  share  profits and  losses  in  the  joint  account in
accordance with the terms of their joint account agreement.
 
   
    Certificates, if any, for Units are  delivered to the purchaser as  promptly
after the date of settlement (three business days after purchase) as the Trustee
can  complete  the mechanics  of registration,  normally  within 48  hours after
registration instructions are received. Purchasers of Units to whom Certificates
are issued will be unable  to exercise any right  of redemption until they  have
received their Certificates, properly endorsed for transfer. (See "HOW UNITS MAY
BE REDEEMED WITHOUT CHARGE?")
    
 
WHAT IS ACCRUED INTEREST?
 
Accrued  interest is the accumulation of unpaid interest on a bond from the last
day on which  interest thereon  was paid.  Interest on  Bonds in  each Trust  is
accounted  for daily on an accrual basis. For this reason, the purchase price of
Units of a Trust will  include not only the Public  Offering Price but also  the
proportionate  share  of accrued  interest to  the  date of  settlement. Accrued
interest does not  include accrual  of original  issue discount  on zero  coupon
bonds,  Stripped Obligations  or other  original issue  discount bonds. Interest
accrues to the  benefit of Unitholders  commencing with the  settlement date  of
their purchase transaction.
 
    In  an effort to reduce the amount  of accrued interest that investors would
have to pay in addition to the Public Offering Price, the Trustee has agreed  to
advance  to each Trust the amount of accrued interest due on the Bonds as of the
Date of Deposit (which has been designated  the first Record Date for all  plans
of  distribution). This  accrued interest  will be  paid to  the Sponsor  as the
holder of record of all Units on  the Date of Deposit. Consequently, the  amount
of  accrued interest  to be  added to  the Public  Offering Price  of Units will
include only accrued interest  from the Date of  Deposit to, but not  including,
the  date of  settlement of the  investor's purchase (three  business days after
purchase), less any distributions from the related Interest Account. The Trustee
will recover its  advancements (without interest  or other cost  to the  Trusts)
from interest received on the Bonds deposited in each Trust.
 
    The  Trustee has no  cash for distribution to  Unitholders until it receives
interest payments on the Bonds in  the Trusts. Since municipal bond interest  is
accrued  daily but  paid only  semi-annually, during  the initial  months of the
Trusts, the Interest  Accounts, consisting of  accrued but uncollected  interest
and  collected interest  (cash), will  be predominantly  the uncollected accrued
interest that is not available for distribution. However, due to advances by the
Trustee, the Trustee will provide a first distribution between approximately  30
and  60 days after the Date of Deposit. Assuming each Trust retains its original
size and composition  and expenses  and fees  remain the  same, annual  interest
collected  and distributed  will approximate  the estimated  Net Annual Interest
Income stated herein. However,  the amount of accrued  interest at any point  in
time  will  be greater  than  the amount  that  the Trustee  will  have actually
received and distributed to the Unitholders. Therefore, there will always remain
an item of  accrued interest  that is  included in  the Purchase  Price and  the
redemption price of the Units.
 
   
    Interest  is accounted  for daily and  a proportionate share  of accrued and
undistributed interest computed from the preceding  Record Date is added to  the
daily  valuation of each Unit of each Trust.  (See Part A of this Prospectus and
"WHEN ARE DISTRIBUTIONS MADE TO UNITHOLDERS?") As Bonds mature, or are  redeemed
or  sold,  the  accrued  interest  applicable to  such  bonds  is  collected and
subsequently distributed to Unitholders. Unitholders who sell or redeem all or a
portion of their Units will be  paid their proportionate share of the  remaining
accrued  interest to,  but not including,  the third business  day following the
date of sale or tender.
    
 
WHAT ARE ESTIMATED LONG TERM RETURN AND ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN?
 
   
The Estimated Long Term Return for each Trust is a measure of the return to  the
investor  expected  to be  earned  over the  estimated  life of  the  Trust. The
Estimated Long Term Return represents an  average of the yields to maturity  (or
call)  of  the Bonds  in  the Trust's  portfolio  calculated in  accordance with
accepted bond practice and adjusted to reflect expenses and sales charges. Under
accepted bond practice, tax-exempt bonds are customarily offered to investors on
a "yield price" basis, which involves computation of yield to maturity or to  an
earlier  call date  (whichever produces the  lower yield), and  which takes into
account not only the interest payable on the bonds but also the amortization  or
accretion  of  any premium  over,  or discount  from,  the par  (maturity) value
inherent in the bond's purchase price. In the calculation of Estimated Long Term
Return, the average yield for a  Trust's portfolio is derived by weighting  each
Bond's yield by the market value of the Bond and by the amount of time remaining
to  the date to  which the Bond is  priced. This weighted  average yield is then
adjusted to  reflect estimated  expenses, is  compounded, and  is reduced  by  a
factor  which represents the amortization of  the sales charge over the expected
average life of  a Trust. The  Estimated Long Term  Return calculation does  not
take  into account the effect  of a first distribution which  may be less than a
regular distribution or may  be paid at  some point after 30  days (or a  second
distribution  which may be  less than a normal  distribution for Unitholders who
choose quarterly or  semi-annual plans of  distribution), and it  also does  not
take into account the difference in timing of payments to Unitholders who choose
quarterly  or semi-annual plans  of distribution, each of  which will reduce the
return.
    
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
   
    Estimated Current Return  is computed  by dividing the  Net Annual  Interest
Income per Unit by the Public Offering Price. In contrast to Estimated Long Term
Return, Estimated Current Return does not reflect the amortization of premium or
accretion  of discount, if any, on the  Bonds in a Trust's portfolio. Net Annual
Interest Income per Unit is calculated by dividing the annual interest income to
a Trust, less estimated expenses, by the number of Units outstanding.
    
 
   
    Net Annual Interest  Income per  Unit, used to  calculate Estimated  Current
Return,  will vary  with changes  in fees  and expenses  of the  Trustee and the
Evaluator and  with the  redemption,  maturity, exchange  or  sale of  Bonds.  A
Unitholder's  actual return may vary  significantly from the Estimated Long-Term
Return, based  on their  holding  period, market  interest rate  changes,  other
factors  affecting  the  prices  of  individual  bonds  in  the  portfolio,  and
differences between  the expected  remaining  life of  portfolio bonds  and  the
actual  length of time that they remain  in a Trust; such actual holding periods
may be reduced by termination of  a Trust, as described in "OTHER  INFORMATION."
Since  both  the Estimated  Current Return  and the  Estimated Long  Term Return
quoted herein are  based on  the market  value of  the underlying  Bonds on  the
business  day prior  to the  Date of  Deposit, subsequent  calculations of these
performance  measures  will  reflect  the  then  current  market  value  of  the
underlying  Bonds and may be higher or lower. The Sponsor will provide estimated
cash flow  information relating  to a  Trust without  charge to  each  potential
investor  in a Trust who  receives this prospectus and  makes an oral or written
request to the Sponsor for such information.
    
 
   
    A portion of the  monies received by  a Trust may be  treated, in the  first
year  only, as a return of principal due to the inclusion in the Trust portfolio
of "when-issued"  or  other  Bonds  having delivery  dates  after  the  date  of
settlement  for purchases  made on  the Date of  Deposit. A  consequence of this
treatment is that in the computation  of Estimated Current Return for the  first
year, such monies are excluded from Net Annual Interest Income and treated as an
adjustment  to the Public Offering Price. (See "Essential Information" appearing
in Part A  of this  Prospectus, "COMPOSITION  OF TRUSTS"  and "WHAT  IS THE  TAX
STATUS OF UNITHOLDERS?")
    
 
    A  comparison of tax-free  and equivalent taxable  estimated current returns
with the returns on  various taxable investments is  one element to consider  in
making  an  investment  decision. The  Sponsor  may  from time  to  time  in its
advertising and sales materials compare the then current estimated returns on  a
Trust  and returns  over specified periods  on other similar  Nuveen Trusts with
returns on taxable investments such as corporate or U.S. Government bonds,  bank
CD's  and  money  market accounts  or  money  market funds,  each  of  which has
investment characteristics  that  may  differ  from those  of  the  Trust.  U.S.
Government  bonds, for example, are  backed by the full  faith and credit of the
U.S. Government and bank CD's and money market accounts are insured by an agency
of the federal government. Money market accounts and money market funds  provide
stability  of principal, but pay interest at  rates that vary with the condition
of the short-term debt market. The investment characteristics of the Trusts  are
described more fully elsewhere in the Prospectus.
 
HOW WAS THE PRICE OF THE BONDS DETERMINED AT THE DATE OF DEPOSIT?
 
   
The prices at which the Bonds deposited in the Trusts would have been offered to
the  public on the business day prior to  the Date of Deposit were determined by
the Trustee on the basis  of an evaluation of such  Bonds prepared by Kenny  S&P
Evaluation  Services, a division of J. J.  Kenny Co., Inc. ("Kenny S&P"), a firm
regularly  engaged  in  the  business  of  evaluating,  quoting  or   appraising
comparable  bonds. With respect to Bonds in  Insured Trusts and insured Bonds in
Traditional Trusts, Kenny S&P evaluated the  Bonds as so insured. (See "WHY  AND
HOW ARE THE BONDS INSURED?")
    
 
    The  amount by which  the Trustee's determination of  the OFFERING PRICES of
the Bonds deposited  in the Trusts  was greater or  less than the  cost of  such
Bonds  to  the  Sponsor was  PROFIT  OR LOSS  to  the Sponsor  exclusive  of any
underwriting profit.  (See Part  A of  this Prospectus.)  The Sponsor  also  may
realize  FURTHER PROFIT OR SUSTAIN  FURTHER LOSS as a  result of fluctuations in
the Public Offering  Price of the  Units. Cash,  if any, made  available to  the
Sponsor  prior to the settlement  date for a purchase of  Units, or prior to the
acquisition of all Portfolio securities by a Trust, may be available for use  in
the Sponsor's business, and may be of benefit to the Sponsor.
 
WHAT IS THE TAX STATUS OF UNITHOLDERS?
 
   
At  the respective  times of  issuance of  the Bonds,  opinions relating  to the
validity thereof and  to the exclusion  of interest thereon  from Federal  gross
income  were rendered by bond counsel  to the respective issuing authorities. In
addition, with respect to  State Trusts, where applicable,  bond counsel to  the
issuing  authorities rendered opinions  as to the exemption  of interest on such
Bonds, when held by residents  of the state in which  the issuers of such  Bonds
are  located, from state income taxes and certain state or local intangibles and
local income taxes. For a discussion of the tax status of State Trusts, see Part
A of this Prospectus. Neither  the Sponsor nor Chapman  and Cutler has made  any
special review for the Trusts of the proceedings relating to the issuance of the
Bonds  or of the basis for the opinions rendered in connection therewith. If the
interest on a Bond should be determined to be taxable, the Bond would  generally
have  to be  sold at  a substantial  discount. In  addition, investors  could be
required to pay  income tax  on interest  received prior  to the  date of  which
interest is determined to be taxable.
    
 
    Federally  tax-exempt income, including income on  Units of the Trusts, will
be taken into consideration in computing the portion, if any, of social security
benefits received that will be included in a taxpayer's gross income subject  to
the Federal income tax.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
   
    Gain  realized on the sale or redemption of the Bonds by the Trustee or of a
Unit by  a Unitholder  is includable  in  gross income  for Federal  income  tax
purposes,  and may be includable  in gross income for  state tax purposes. (Such
gain does not  include any  amounts received  in respect  of tax-exempt  accrued
interest  or accrued original issue discount, if any.) Sections 1288 and 1272 of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") provide a complex set
of rules governing the accrual of  original issue discount. These rules  provide
that  original issue discount accrues either on the basis of a constant compound
interest rate or ratably over  the term of the Bond,  depending on the date  the
Bond  was issued. In  addition, special rules  apply if the  purchase price of a
Bond exceeds the original issue price plus the amount of original issue discount
which would have previously  accrued based upon its  issue price (its  "adjusted
issue price") to prior owners. If a Bond is acquired with accrued interest, that
portion  of the price paid for the accrued interest is added to the tax basis of
the Bond. When this accrued interest is  received, it is treated as a return  of
capital  and reduces the  tax basis of  the Bond. If  a Bond is  purchased for a
premium, the amount of the premium is added  to the tax basis of the Bond.  Bond
premium  is amortized over the remaining term of  the Bond, and the tax basis of
the Bond is reduced each tax year by the amount of the premium amortized in that
tax year. The application of these rules  will also vary depending on the  value
of  the Bond  on the  date a  Unitholder acquires  his Units  and the  price the
Unitholder pays  for  his  Units.  Unitholders should  consult  with  their  tax
advisers regarding these rules and their application.
    
 
   
    The "Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993" (the "Tax Act") subjects tax-exempt
bonds  to the market discount  rules of the Code,  effective for bonds purchased
after April 30,  1993. In general,  market discount  is the amount  (if any)  by
which  the stated  redemption price at  maturity exceeds  an investor's purchase
price (except to  the extent that  such difference, if  any, is attributable  to
original  issue discount  not yet  accrued), subject  to a  statutory DE MINIMIS
rule. Market discount can arise based on the price the Trust pays for the  Bonds
or  the  price a  Unitholder  pays for  his  or her  Units.  Under the  Tax Act,
accretion of market discount is taxable as ordinary income; under prior law, the
accretion had been treated as capital gain. Market discount that accretes  while
the Trust holds a Bond would be recognized as ordinary income by the Unitholders
when  principal payments are  received on the  Bond, upon sale  or at redemption
(including early  redemption), or  upon the  sale or  redemption of  his or  her
Units,  unless a Unitholder elects to  include market discount in taxable income
as it accrues.  The market  discount rules  are complex  and Unitholders  should
consult their tax advisors regarding these rules and their application.
    
 
    In the opinion of Chapman and Cutler, Counsel to the Sponsor, under existing
law:
 
   
    (1) the  Trusts  are not  associations taxable  as corporations  for Federal
        income tax purposes, and interest and accrued original issue discount on
        Bonds which is excludable from gross  income under the Code will  retain
        its  status when distributed  to the Unitholders;  however such interest
        may be taken into account in  computing the alternative minimum tax,  an
        additional tax on branches of foreign corporations and the environmental
        tax  (the  "Superfund  Tax").  See "CERTAIN  TAX  MATTERS  APPLICABLE TO
        CORPORATE UNITHOLDERS", below;
    
 
   
    (2) each Unitholder of a Trust is considered  to be the owner of a pro  rata
        portion  of such Trust under Subpart E, subchapter J of Chapter 1 of the
        Code and will have a taxable event when the Trust disposes of a Bond  or
        when  the Unitholder redeems or sells Units. Unitholders must reduce the
        tax basis of their Units for their share of accrued interest received by
        the Trust, if  any, on  Bonds delivered  after the  Unitholders pay  for
        their  Units  to the  extent that  such interest  accrued on  such Bonds
        before the  date the  Trust acquired  ownership of  the Bonds  (and  the
        amount  of this reduction may exceed the amount of accrued interest paid
        to the seller) during the period from the Unitholders settlement date to
        the date  such  Bonds  are  delivered  to  the  respective  Trusts  and,
        consequently,  such Unitholders may have an  increase in taxable gain or
        reduction in capital loss  upon the disposition of  such Units. Gain  or
        loss  upon the sale or redemption of  Units is measured by comparing the
        proceeds of  such sale  or redemption  with the  adjusted basis  of  the
        Units.  If the  Trustee disposes of  Bonds (whether by  sale, payment at
        maturity, redemption or otherwise),  gain or loss  is recognized to  the
        Unitholder. The amount of any such gain or loss is measured by comparing
        the  Unitholder's  pro  rata  share  of  the  total  proceeds  from such
        disposition with  the  Unitholder's  basis for  his  or  her  fractional
        interest  in the  asset disposed  of. In  the case  of a  Unitholder who
        purchases Units, such basis (before adjustment for earned original issue
        discount  and  amortized  bond  premium,   if  any)  is  determined   by
        apportioning  the  cost of  the  Units among  each  of the  Trust assets
        ratably according to value as of the valuation date nearest the date  of
        acquisition  of the Units. The tax  basis reduction requirements of said
        Code  relating  to  amortization  of   bond  premium  may,  under   some
        circumstances,  result in the  Unitholder realizing a  taxable gain when
        his or her Units are sold or  redeemed for an amount less than or  equal
        to their original cost; and
    
 
   
    (3) any  amounts paid on defaulted Bonds  held by the Trustee under policies
        of insurance issued with respect to  such Bonds will be excludable  from
        Federal  gross income if, and to the same extent as, such interest would
        have been so excludable if  paid in the normal  course by the issuer  of
        the  defaulted  Bonds  provided  that, at  the  time  such  policies are
        purchased, the amounts paid for such policies are reasonable,  customary
        and  consistent with the  reasonable expectation that  the issuer of the
        Bonds, rather than  the insurer,  will pay  debt service  on the  Bonds.
        Paragraph  (2)  of  this  opinion is  accordingly  applicable  to policy
        proceeds representing maturing interest.
    
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
In the opinion of Carter, Ledyard & Milburn, counsel to the Trustee, and, in the
absence of a New York Trust from the Series, special counsel for the Series  for
New York tax matters, under existing law:
 
        Under  the income tax laws of the State and City of New York, each Trust
    is not an association taxable as a corporation and the income of each  Trust
    will be treated as the income of the Unitholders.
 
    For  a summary of  each opinion of  special counsel to  the respective State
Trusts for state tax matters, see Part A of this Prospectus.
 
   
    ALL STATEMENTS IN THE PROSPECTUS CONCERNING EXCLUSION FROM GROSS INCOME  FOR
FEDERAL, STATE OR OTHER TAX PURPOSES ARE THE OPINION OF COUNSEL AND ARE TO BE SO
CONSTRUED.
    
 
   
    Counsel for the Sponsor has also advised that under Section 265 of the Code,
interest  on indebtedness incurred or continued to  purchase or carry Units of a
Trust is not deductible  for Federal income tax  purposes. The Internal  Revenue
Service  has  taken the  position that  such indebtedness  need not  be directly
traceable to the purchase or carrying  of Units (however, these rules  generally
do  not apply to interest paid on indebtedness incurred to purchase or improve a
personal residence).  Also, under  Section 265  of the  Code, certain  financial
institutions that acquire Units would generally not be able to deduct any of the
interest  expense attributable to ownership of  such Units. On December 7, 1995,
the U.S. Treasury  Department released  proposed legislation  that, if  enacted,
would  generally  extend the  financial institution  rules to  all corporations,
effective for obligations  acquired after  the date  of announcement.  Investors
with questions regarding this issue should consult with their tax advisers.
    
 
   
    In  the case  of certain  of the Bonds  in the  Trust, the  opinions of bond
counsel indicate that interest on such Bonds received by a "substantial user" of
the facilities  being financed  with the  proceeds of  these Bonds,  or  persons
related thereto, for periods while such Bonds are held by such a user or related
person,  will not be excludable from  Federal gross income, although interest on
such Bonds received  by others would  be excludable from  Federal gross  income.
"Substantial  user" and  "related person"  are defined  under the  Code and U.S.
Treasury Regulations.  Any  person  who  believes  that  he  or  she  may  be  a
"substantial user" or a "related person" as so defined should contact his or her
tax adviser.
    
 
    For  purposes of computing  the alternative minimum  tax for individuals and
corporations, interest on certain specified tax-exempt private activity bonds is
included as a preference item. The Trusts do not include any such bonds.
 
   
    CERTAIN TAX  MATTERS APPLICABLE  TO CORPORATE  UNITHOLDERS. In  the case  of
certain  corporations, the alternative minimum tax  and the Superfund Tax depend
upon the corporation's alternative minimum taxable income ("AMTI"), which is the
corporation's taxable income  with certain  adjustments. One  of the  adjustment
items  used in computing AMTI and the Superfund Tax of a corporation (other than
an S corporation, Regulated Investment Company, Real Estate Investment Trust, or
REMIC) is an amount equal to 75%  of the excess of such corporation's  "adjusted
current  earnings" over an amount equal to its AMTI (before such adjustment item
and the  alternative  tax  net  operating  loss  deduction).  "Adjusted  current
earnings"  includes all tax-exempt interest, including  interest on all Bonds in
the Trust. Under current  Code provisions, the Superfund  Tax does not apply  to
tax  years beginning  on or  after January 1,  1996. However,  the Superfund Tax
could be extended  retroactively. Under  the provisions  of Section  884 of  the
Code,  a branch profits tax is levied on the "effectively connected earnings and
profits" of certain foreign corporations which include tax-exempt interest  such
as  interest on  the Bonds  in the Trust.  Unitholders should  consult their tax
advisors with respect to the particular  tax consequences to them including  the
corporate  alternative minimum tax, the Superfund Tax and the branch profits tax
imposed by Section 884 of the Code.
    
 
   
    Ownership  of  the  Units  may  result  in  collateral  federal  income  tax
consequences  to certain taxpayers,  including, without limitation, corporations
subject to either  the environmental tax  or the branch  profits tax,  financial
institutions,  certain insurance  companies, certain  S corporations, individual
recipients of Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits and taxpayers  who
may  be deemed to have incurred (or continued) indebtedness to purchase or carry
tax-exempt obligations. Prospective investors should consult their tax  advisers
as to the applicability of any such collateral consequences.
    
 
   
    EXCEPT  AS NOTED ABOVE  AND IN PART  A OF THIS  PROSPECTUS, THE EXEMPTION OF
INTEREST ON  STATE  AND  LOCAL  OBLIGATIONS  FOR  FEDERAL  INCOME  TAX  PURPOSES
DISCUSSED  ABOVE DOES  NOT NECESSARILY RESULT  IN EXEMPTION UNDER  THE INCOME OR
OTHER TAX LAWS OF ANY  STATE OR CITY. THE LAWS  OF THE SEVERAL STATES VARY  WITH
RESPECT TO THE TAXATION OF SUCH OBLIGATIONS.
    
 
WHAT ARE NORMAL TRUST OPERATING EXPENSES?
 
No  annual advisory  fee is charged  to the  Trusts by the  Sponsor. The Sponsor
does, however, receive a fee as set  forth in "Essential Information" in Part  A
of  this  Prospectus  for regularly  evaluating  the Bonds  and  for maintaining
surveillance over the portfolio. (See "UNIT VALUE AND EVALUATION.")
 
    The Trustee receives for ordinary recurring services an annual fee for  each
plan  of distribution  for each  Trust as  set forth  in "Essential Information"
appearing in Part A of this Prospectus. Each annual fee is per $1,000  principal
amount  of the underlying  Bonds in a Trust  for that portion  of the Trust that
represents  a  particular  plan  of  distribution.  The  Trustee's  fee  may  be
periodically  adjusted in response to  fluctuations in short-term interest rates
(reflecting the  cost to  the Trustee  of advancing  funds to  a Trust  to  meet
scheduled  distributions) and  may be  further adjusted  in accordance  with the
cumulative percentage  increase  of  the United  States  Department  of  Labor's
Consumer  Price Index  entitled "All  Services Less  Rent of  Shelter" since the
establishment of the Trusts.  The Trustee has  the use of  funds, if any,  being
held in the Interest and
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
   
Principal  Accounts of each Trust for  future distributions, payment of expenses
and  redemptions.  These  Accounts  are  non-interest  bearing  to  Unitholders.
Pursuant  to normal  banking procedures,  the Trustee  benefits from  the use of
funds held therein. Part of the  Trustee's compensation for its services to  the
Trusts is expected to result from such use of these funds.
    
 
    Premiums  for the policies  of insurance obtained  by the Sponsor  or by the
Bond issuers with respect to the Bonds in the Insured Trusts and with respect to
insured Bonds in Traditional Trusts have been paid in full prior to the  deposit
of the Bonds in the Trusts, and the value of such insurance has been included in
the evaluation of the Bonds in each Trust and accordingly in the Public Offering
Price  of Units of each Trust. There  are no annual continuing premiums for such
insurance.
 
   
    All or  a portion  of  the expenses  incurred  in establishing  the  Trusts,
including costs of preparing the registration statement, the trust indenture and
other  closing  documents, registering  Units with  the Securities  and Exchange
Commission and states, the  initial audit of each  Trust portfolio, the  initial
evaluation,  legal fees, the  initial fees and  expenses of the  Trustee and any
other non-material  out-of-pocket  expenses, will  be  paid by  the  Trusts  and
amortized over the first five years of such Trusts. The following are additional
expenses of the Trusts and, when paid by or are owed to the Trustee, are secured
by  a lien  on the  assets of  the Trust  or Trusts  to which  such expenses are
allocable: (1) the expenses and costs of any action undertaken by the Trustee to
protect the Trusts  and the  rights and interests  of the  Unitholders; (2)  all
taxes  and other governmental charges  upon the Bonds or  any part of the Trusts
(no such taxes or charges are being levied  or made or, to the knowledge of  the
Sponsor,  contemplated); (3) amounts payable to the Trustee as fees for ordinary
recurring  services  and  for  extraordinary  non-recurring  services   rendered
pursuant to the Indenture, all disbursements and expenses including counsel fees
(including  fees  of bond  counsel which  the Trustee  may retain)  sustained or
incurred by  the  Trustee  in  connection  therewith;  and  (4)  any  losses  or
liabilities  accruing to  the Trustee without  negligence, bad  faith or willful
misconduct on its part. The Trustee is  empowered to sell Bonds in order to  pay
these  amounts if funds  are not otherwise available  in the applicable Interest
and Principal Accounts.
    
 
    The Indenture requires each Trust  to be audited on  an annual basis at  the
expense  of the Trust by independent public accountants selected by the Sponsor.
The Trustee  shall not  be  required, however,  to cause  such  an audit  to  be
performed  if its cost to a Trust shall exceed $.05 per Unit on an annual basis.
Unitholders of a  Trust covered by  an audit may  obtain a copy  of the  audited
financial statements upon request.
 
WHEN ARE DISTRIBUTIONS MADE TO UNITHOLDERS?
 
Interest received by the Trustee on the Bonds in each Trust, including that part
of  the proceeds of  any disposition of Bonds  which represents accrued interest
and including  any insurance  proceeds representing  interest due  on  defaulted
Bonds,  shall be credited to the "Interest  Account" of such Trust and all other
moneys received by the Trustee shall  be credited to the "Principal Account"  of
such Trust.
 
    The  pro rata share of  cash in the Principal Account  in each Trust will be
computed as of each semi-annual Record Date and distributions to the Unitholders
as of such Record Date will be made on or shortly after the fifteenth day of the
month. Proceeds received from the disposition, including sale, call or maturity,
of any of the Bonds and all amounts  paid with respect to zero coupon bonds  and
Stripped  Obligations will be held  in the Principal Account  and either used to
pay for Units  redeemed or distributed  on the Distribution  Date following  the
next semi-annual Record Date. The Trustee is not required to make a distribution
from  the  Principal  Account  of  any Trust  unless  the  amount  available for
distribution in such account equals at least ten cents per Unit.
 
    The pro rata share of the Interest Account in each Trust will be computed by
the Trustee each month as of each Record Date and distributions will be made  on
or  shortly after the fifteenth day of the month to Unitholders of such Trust as
of the Record Date who are entitled to distributions at that time under the plan
of distribution chosen. Persons who purchase  Units between a Record Date and  a
Distribution Date will receive their first distribution on the Distribution Date
following the next Record Date under the applicable plan of distribution.
 
    Purchasers  of  Units  who desire  to  receive interest  distributions  on a
monthly or quarterly basis may elect to do so at the time of purchase during the
initial public offering  period. Those indicating  no choice will  be deemed  to
have  chosen the  semi-annual distribution  plan. All  Unitholders, however, who
purchase Units during the  initial public offering period  and who hold them  of
record on the first Record Date will receive the first distribution of interest.
Thereafter, Record Dates for monthly distributions will be the first day of each
month;  Record  Dates  for quarterly  distributions  will  be the  first  day of
February,  May,  August   and  November;  and   Record  Dates  for   semi-annual
distributions  will be  the first day  of May and  November. See Part  A of this
Prospectus for details of distributions per Unit of each Trust under the various
plans based upon estimated  Net Annual Interest Income  at the Date of  Deposit.
The  amount of  the regular distributions  will generally change  when Bonds are
redeemed, mature or are sold or when fees and expenses increase or decrease. For
the purpose of minimizing  fluctuations in the  distributions from the  Interest
Account  of a Trust, the Trustee is authorized to advance such amounts as may be
necessary to provide for interest distributions of approximately equal  amounts.
The  Trustee shall be  reimbursed, without interest, for  any such advances from
funds in  the Interest  Account of  such  Trust. The  Trustee's fee  takes  into
account  the costs  attributable to  the outlay of  capital needed  to make such
advances.
 
    The plan of  distribution selected  by a  Unitholder will  remain in  effect
until  changed.  Unitholders  purchasing  Units  in  the  secondary  market will
initially receive distributions  in accordance  with the election  of the  prior
owner. Unitholders
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
desiring  to change their  plan of distribution  may do so  by sending a written
notice requesting the change, together with any Certificate(s), to the  Trustee.
The notice and any Certificate(s) must be received by the Trustee not later than
the  semi-annual Record Date to be  effective as of the semi-annual distribution
following the subsequent semi-annual Record  Date. Unitholders are requested  to
make  any  such changes  within 45  days  prior to  the applicable  Record Date.
Certificates should only be sent by registered or certified mail to minimize the
possibility of  their being  lost or  stolen. (See  "OWNERSHIP AND  TRANSFER  OF
UNITS.")
 
   
    As  of the first day of each month the Trustee will deduct from the Interest
Account of a Trust or, to the extent funds are not sufficient therein, from  the
Principal  Account of a  Trust, amounts needed  for payment of  expenses of such
Trust. The Trustee also may withdraw from said accounts such amount, if any,  as
it  deems necessary to establish a  reserve for any governmental charges payable
out of such  Trust. Amounts so  withdrawn shall not  be considered a  part of  a
Trust's  assets until such time  as the Trustee shall return  all or any part of
such amounts to the appropriate account. In addition, the Trustee shall withdraw
from the Interest Account and the Principal  Account of a Trust such amounts  as
may  be necessary to  cover redemptions of  Units of such  Trust by the Trustee.
Funds which are available for  future distributions, redemptions and payment  of
expenses  are held in accounts which are non-interest bearing to Unitholders and
are available for use by the Trustee pursuant to normal banking procedures.
    
 
ACCUMULATION PLAN
 
   
The Sponsor is also the principal  underwriter of several open-end mutual  funds
(the  "Accumulation Funds") into which Unitholders  may choose to reinvest Trust
distributions. Unitholders  may elect  to  reinvest principal  distributions  or
interest  and principal  distributions automatically, without  any sales charge.
Each Accumulation  Fund  has  investment  objectives  which  differ  in  certain
respects  from those of the Trusts and  may invest in securities which would not
be eligible  for  deposit in  the  Trusts. Further  information  concerning  the
Accumulation  Plan  and  a  list  of Accumulation  Funds  is  set  forth  in the
Information Supplement of this Prospectus,  which may be obtained by  contacting
the Trustee at the phone number listed on the back cover of this Prospectus.
    
 
Participants  may at any time, by so  notifying the Trustee in writing, elect to
change  the  Accumulation  Fund  into   which  their  distributions  are   being
reinvested,  to change from principal only  reinvestment to reinvestment of both
principal and interest or vice versa, or to terminate their participation in the
Accumulation Plan altogether and receive future distributions on their Units  in
cash.  There will be no  charge or other penalty for  such change of election or
termination. The character of Trust  distributions for income tax purposes  will
remain unchanged even if they are reinvested in an Accumulation Fund.
 
HOW DETAILED ARE REPORTS TO UNITHOLDERS?
 
   
The  Trustee  shall  furnish Unitholders  of  a  Trust in  connection  with each
distribution, a statement of the amount of  interest, if any, and the amount  of
other  receipts (received  since the preceding  distribution) being distributed,
expressed in each case  as a dollar  amount representing the  pro rata share  of
each Unit of a Trust outstanding and a year to date summary of all distributions
paid  on said Units.  Within a reasonable period  of time after  the end of each
calendar year, the Trustee shall furnish to each person, who at any time  during
the  calendar year  was a  registered Unitholder  of a  Trust, a  statement with
respect to  such  Trust  (i)  as to  the  Interest  Account:  interest  received
(including  amounts  representing  interest  received  upon  any  disposition of
Bonds), and, except  for any  State Trust, the  percentage of  such interest  by
states  in which the issuers  of the Bonds are  located, deductions for fees and
expenses of such Trust, redemption of Units and the balance remaining after such
distributions and deductions,  expressed in  each case  both as  a total  dollar
amount  and as  a dollar  amount representing  the pro  rata share  of each Unit
outstanding on the  last business  day of  such calendar  year; (ii)  as to  the
Principal  Account: the dates of  disposition of any Bonds  and the net proceeds
received therefrom (excluding  any portion representing  accrued interest),  the
amount  paid for purchase of Replacement  Bonds, the amount paid upon redemption
of Units, deductions for  payment of applicable taxes  and fees and expenses  of
the  Trustee, and the balance remaining  after such distributions and deductions
expressed both as a total dollar amount and as a dollar amount representing  the
pro  rata  share of  each  Unit outstanding  on the  last  business day  of such
calendar year;  (iii)  a  list  of  the Bonds  held  and  the  number  of  Units
outstanding  on the last business day of such calendar year; (iv) the Unit Value
based upon the last computation thereof made during such calendar year; and  (v)
amounts actually distributed during such calendar year from the Interest Account
and  from  the Principal  Account, separately  stated,  expressed both  as total
dollar amounts and  as dollar amounts  representing the pro  rata share of  each
Unit  outstanding. Each annual  statement will reflect  pertinent information in
respect of  all  plans of  distribution  so  that Unitholders  may  be  informed
regarding the results of other plans of distribution.
    
 
UNIT VALUE AND EVALUATION
 
   
The  value of each  Trust is determined by  the Sponsor on the  basis of (1) the
cash on hand in the Trust or moneys  in the process of being collected, (2)  the
value  of the Bonds in  the Trust based on  the BID prices of  the Bonds and (3)
interest  accrued  thereon   not  subject  to   collection,  LESS  (1)   amounts
representing  taxes or governmental charges payable out of the Trust and (2) the
accrued expenses of the Trust. The result of such computation is divided by  the
number  of Units of such  Trust outstanding as of  the date thereof to determine
the per Unit value ("Unit Value") of  such Trust. The Sponsor may determine  the
value  of the Bonds in each Trust (1) on  the basis of current BID prices of the
Bonds obtained from dealers or brokers who customarily deal in bonds  comparable
to  those held by a  Trust, (2) if bid  prices are not available  for any of the
Bonds, on the basis of bid prices for comparable bonds, (3) by causing the value
of the Bonds to be determined by others
    
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
engaged in the practice of evaluating, quoting or appraising comparable bonds or
(4) by any combination of  the above. Although the Unit  Value of each Trust  is
based on the BID prices of the Bonds, the Units are sold initially to the public
at the Public Offering Price based on the OFFERING prices of the Bonds.
 
    Because  the insurance obtained  by the Sponsor  or by the  issuers of Bonds
with respect to  the Bonds in  the Insured  Trusts and with  respect to  insured
Bonds  in Traditional Trusts is effective so long as such Bonds are outstanding,
such insurance will be  taken into account in  determining the bid and  offering
prices  of such  Bonds and therefore  some value attributable  to such insurance
will be included in the value of Units of Trusts that include such Bonds.
 
HOW UNITS OF THE TRUSTS ARE DISTRIBUTED TO THE PUBLIC
 
   
Nuveen, in addition to being the Sponsor, is the sole Underwriter of the  Units.
It  is  the  intention  of  the  Sponsor  to  qualify  Units  of  National, Long
Intermediate, Intermediate, Short  Intermediate and Short  Term Trusts for  sale
under  the  laws of  substantially all  of the  states of  the United  States of
America, and Units  of State Trusts  only in the  state for which  the Trust  is
named and selected other states.
    
 
    Promptly following the deposit of Bonds in exchange for Units of the Trusts,
it  is the practice of the Sponsor to place all of the Units as collateral for a
letter or letters of credit from one or more commercial banks under an agreement
to release such Units from time to  time as needed for distribution. Under  such
an  arrangement  the Sponsor  pays  such banks  compensation  based on  the then
current interest  rate. This  is  a normal  warehousing arrangement  during  the
period  of  distribution of  the Units  to public  investors. To  facilitate the
handling of  transactions,  sales of  Units  shall be  limited  to  transactions
involving a minimum of either $5,000 or 50 Units, whichever is less. The Sponsor
reserves the right to reject, in whole or in part, any order for the purchase of
Units.
 
    The  Sponsor plans to allow a discount  to brokers and dealers in connection
with  the  primary  distribution   of  Units  and   also  in  secondary   market
transactions. The primary market discounts are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         DISCOUNT PER UNIT
                                --------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                             <C>         <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
                                 NATIONAL    LONG INTER-                  SHORT INTER-
                                AND STATE      MEDIATE     INTERMEDIATE      MEDIATE     SHORT TERM
NUMBER OF UNITS*                  TRUSTS       TRUSTS         TRUSTS         TRUSTS        TRUSTS
- ------------------------------  ----------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -----------
Less than 500.................    $3.20         $2.90          $2.70          $2.00         $1.50
500 but less than 1,000.......     3.20         2.90           2.70           2.00          1.50
1,000 but less than 2,500.....     3.20         2.70           2.50           1.80          1.30
2,500 but less than 5,000.....     3.20         2.45           2.25           1.55          1.05
5,000 but less than 10,000....     2.50         2.45           2.25           1.55          1.05
10,000 but less than 25,000...     2.00         2.00           2.00           1.30           .80
25,000 but less than 50,000...     1.75         1.75           1.75           1.30           .60
50,000 or more................     1.75         1.50           1.50           1.00           .60
</TABLE>
 
*Breakpoint  sales charges and related dealer concessions are computed both on a
 dollar basis and  on the  basis of  the number  of Units  purchased, using  the
 equivalent  of 500 Units to  $50,000, 2,500 Units to  $250,000 etc. and will be
 applied on that basis which is more favorable to the purchaser.
 
    The Sponsor currently intends  to maintain a secondary  market for Units  of
each  Trust. See  "MARKET FOR  UNITS." The  amount of  the dealer  concession on
secondary market purchases of Trust Units  through the Sponsor will be  computed
based  upon the value of  the Bonds in the  Trust portfolio, including the sales
charge computed as described in "HOW IS THE PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE  DETERMINED?",
and  adjusted to reflect the  cash position of the  Trust principal account, and
will vary with the size of the purchase as shown in the following table:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               AMOUNT OF PURCHASE*
                            -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                         <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>
                                        $50,000   $100,000   $250,000   $500,000   $1,000,000  $2,500,000
                              UNDER       TO         TO         TO         TO          TO          TO      $5,000,000
YEARS TO MATURITY            $50,000    $99,999   $249,999   $499,999   $999,999   $2,499,999  $4,999,999   OR MORE
- --------------------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Less than 1...............      0          0          0          0          0          0           0           0
1 but less than 2.........    1.00%      .90%       .85%       .80%       .70%        .55%       .467%       .389%
2 but less than 3.........    1.30%      1.20%      1.10%      1.00%      .90%        .73%       .634%       .538%
3 but less than 4.........    1.60%      1.45%      1.35%      1.25%      1.10%       .90%       .781%       .662%
4 but less than 5.........    2.00%      1.85%      1.75%      1.55%      1.40%      1.25%       1.082%      .914%
5 but less than 7.........    2.30%      2.15%      1.95%      1.80%      1.65%      1.50%       1.320%      1.140%
7 but less than 10........    2.60%      2.45%      2.25%      2.10%      1.95%      1.70%       1.496%      1.292%
10 but less than 13.......    3.00%      2.80%      2.60%      2.45%      2.30%      2.00%       1.747%      1.494%
13 but less than 16.......    3.25%      3.15%      3.00%      2.75%      2.50%      2.15%       1.878%      1.606%
16 or more................    3.50%      3.50%      3.40%      3.35%      3.00%      2.50%       2.185%      1.873%
</TABLE>
 
 *Breakpoint sales charges and related dealer concessions are computed both on a
  dollar basis and  on the basis  of the  number of Units  purchased, using  the
  equivalent of 500 Units to $50,000, 2,500 Units to $250,000, etc., and will be
  applied on that basis which is more favorable to the purchaser.
 
    The  Sponsor reserves the  right to change  the foregoing dealer concessions
from time to time.
 
   
    At the  discretion of  the Sponsor,  volume incentives  can be  earned as  a
marketing  allowance by  dealer firms who  reach cumulative firm  sales or sales
arrangement levels of a specified number of Units of an individual Trust  during
the primary
    
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
   
offering  period  as set  forth  in the  table below.  For  firms that  meet the
necessary volume level for a Trust, volume incentives may be given on all trades
involving that Trust originated from or by that firm during the primary offering
period.
    
 
   
Primary Market Volume Incentives
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                   PER TRUST SALES LEVEL
AVERAGE MATURITY                     DURING THE PRIMARY      VOLUME INCENTIVE
OF TRUST                              OFFERING PERIOD            PER UNIT
- -------------------------------  --------------------------  -----------------
<S>                              <C>                         <C>
Less than 6 years                      At least 5,000 Units      $    0.05
6 but less than 15 years               At least 2,500 Units      $    0.10
15 years or more                       At least 2,500 Units      $    0.20
</TABLE>
    
 
   
    In addition, a volume  incentive of $2.50  per $1,000 of  Units sold can  be
earned by dealer firms as a marketing allowance for secondary market sales of at
least $1 million of Nuveen Unit Trust units per calendar quarter.
    
 
   
    Only sales through the Sponsor qualify for volume incentives and for meeting
minimum  requirements. The  Sponsor reserves the  right to modify  or change the
volume incentive schedule  at any time  and make the  determination as to  which
firms qualify for the marketing allowance and the amount paid.
    
 
   
    Registered  investment advisers, certified financial planners and registered
broker-dealers who  in  each case  either  charge periodic  fees  for  financial
planning,  investment  advisory or  asset management  services, or  provide such
services in connection with the establishment of an investment account for which
a comprehensive  "wrap  fee"  charge  is imposed,  and  bank  trust  departments
investing  funds  over which  they  exercise exclusive  discretionary investment
authority and  that  are held  in  a  fiduciary, agency,  custodial  or  similar
capacity,  are not entitled to receive any  dealer concession for any sales made
to investors which  qualified as  "Discounted Purchases" during  the primary  or
secondary market. (See "HOW IS THE PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE DETERMINED?")
    
 
    Certain  commercial banks are making Units  of the Trusts available to their
customers on  an agency  basis. A  portion of  the sales  charge paid  by  these
customers  is retained by or  remitted to the banks in  the amounts shown in the
above table.  The Glass-Steagall  Act prohibits  banks from  underwriting  Trust
Units;  the Act  does, however, permit  certain agency  transactions and banking
regulators have not indicated that these particular agency transactions are  not
permitted  under the Act. In Texas and  in certain other states, any bank making
Units available must be registered as a broker-dealer under state law.
 
OWNERSHIP AND TRANSFER OF UNITS
 
The ownership of  Units is  evidenced by book  entry positions  recorded on  the
books  and records of the Trustee  unless the Unitholder expressly requests that
the purchased Units be evidenced in Certificate form. The Trustee is  authorized
to treat as the owner of Units that person who at the time is registered as such
on  the books of the Trustee. Any  Unitholder who holds a Certificate may change
to book entry ownership by submitting to the Trustee the Certificate along  with
a written request that the Units represented by such Certificate be held in book
entry form. Likewise, a Unitholder who holds Units in book entry form may obtain
a  Certificate for such  Units by written  request to the  Trustee. Units may be
held in denominations of one Unit or any multiple or fraction thereof. Fractions
of Units are computed to three  decimal places. Any Certificates issued will  be
numbered  serially for identification, and are  issued in fully registered form,
transferable only  on the  books of  the Trustee.  Book entry  Unitholders  will
receive a Book Entry Position Confirmation reflecting their ownership.
 
    For  Trusts allowing optional plans  of distribution, Certificates for Units
will bear  an  appropriate notation  on  their  face indicating  which  plan  of
distribution has been selected. When a change is made, the existing Certificates
must  be surrendered to the  Trustee and new Certificates  issued to reflect the
currently effective  plan of  distribution. There  will be  no charge  for  this
service.  Holders of book entry  Units can change their  plan of distribution by
making a written  request to  the Trustee,  which will  issue a  new Book  Entry
Position Confirmation to reflect such change.
 
    Units  are transferable by making  a written request to  the Trustee and, in
the case of Units  evidenced by Certificate(s),  by presenting and  surrendering
such  Certificate(s) to the Trustee, at its  address listed on the back cover of
this Part B  of the Prospectus,  properly endorsed or  accompanied by a  written
instrument  or  instruments  of  transfer.  The  Certificate(s)  should  be sent
registered or  certified  mail  for  the  protection  of  the  Unitholder.  Each
Unitholder  must sign such written request,  and such Certificate(s) or transfer
instrument, exactly as his  name appears on (a)  the face of the  Certificate(s)
representing  the  Units  to be  transferred,  or  (b) the  Book  Entry Position
Confirmation(s) relating to the Units to be transferred. Such signature(s)  must
be guaranteed by a guarantor acceptable to the Trustee. In certain instances the
Trustee  may require  additional documents  such as,  but not  limited to, trust
instruments, certificates of death, appointments as executor or administrator or
certificates of corporate authority. Mutilated Certificates must be  surrendered
to  the Trustee in order for a replacement Certificate to be issued. Although at
the date hereof no charge is made and none is contemplated, a Unitholder may  be
required  to pay $2.00 to the Trustee  for each Certificate reissued or transfer
of Units requested and to  pay any governmental charge  which may be imposed  in
connection therewith.
 
REPLACEMENT OF LOST, STOLEN OR DESTROYED CERTIFICATES.
 
    To  obtain a new  Certificate replacing one  that has been  lost, stolen, or
destroyed,  the   Unitholder   must   furnish  the   Trustee   with   sufficient
indemnification   and  pay  such  expenses  as   the  Trustee  may  incur.  This
indemnification must be in the
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
form of  an  Open Penalty  Bond  of Indemnification.  The  premium for  such  an
indemnity  bond may vary, but currently amounts to 1% of the market value of the
Units represented by  the Certificate. In  the case  however, of a  Trust as  to
which  notice of  termination has been  given, the premium  currently amounts to
0.5% of the market value of the Units represented by such Certificate.
 
HOW UNITS MAY BE REDEEMED WITHOUT CHARGE
 
   
Unitholders may redeem all or a portion  of their Units by (1) making a  written
request  for such redemption (book entry Unitholders may use the redemption form
on the reverse side of their Book Entry Position Confirmation) to the Trustee at
its address  listed  on  the  back  cover of  this  Part  B  of  the  Prospectus
(redemptions  of 1,000 Units or more will require a signature guarantee), (2) in
the case of Units evidenced by a Certificate, by also tendering such Certificate
to the Trustee, duly endorsed or  accompanied by proper instruments of  transfer
with signatures guaranteed as explained above, or provide satisfactory indemnity
required  in  connection with  lost, stolen  or  destroyed Certificates  and (3)
payment of applicable governmental charges, if any. Certificates should be  sent
only  by registered or certified mail to minimize the possibility of their being
lost or stolen. (See "OWNERSHIP AND TRANSFER OF UNITS.") No redemption fee  will
be   charged.  A  Unitholder  may  authorize  the  Trustee  to  honor  telephone
instructions for  the  redemption  of  Units held  in  book  entry  form.  Units
represented  by Certificates may  not be redeemed by  telephone. The proceeds of
Units redeemed by telephone will  be sent by check  either to the Unitholder  at
the  address specified on his account or to a financial institution specified by
the Unitholder for credit to the account of the Unitholder. A Unitholder wishing
to  use  this  method  of  redemption  must  complete  a  Telephone   Redemption
Authorization  Form and  furnish the Form  to the  Trustee. Telephone Redemption
Authorization  Forms   can   be   obtained  from   a   Unitholder's   registered
representative  or by calling the  Trustee. Once the completed  Form is on file,
the Trustee will honor telephone  redemption requests by any authorized  person.
The  time a  telephone redemption  request is  received determines  the "date of
tender" as discussed below. The redemption proceeds will be mailed within  three
business days following the telephone redemption request. Only Units held in the
name  of individuals may be redeemed by telephone; accounts registered in broker
name, or  accounts  of  corporations or  fiduciaries  (including  among  others,
trustees,  guardians, executors  and administrators)  may not  use the telephone
redemption privilege.
    
 
   
    On the third business day following the date of tender, the Unitholder  will
be  entitled to receive  in cash for each  Unit tendered an  amount equal to the
Unit Value of  such Trust determined  by the  Trustee, as of  4:00 p.m.  eastern
time,  or as  of any  earlier closing  time on  a day  on which  the Exchange is
scheduled in advance to  close at such  earlier time, on the  date of tender  as
defined  hereafter,  plus  accrued interest  to,  but not  including,  the third
business day after the date of  tender ("Redemption Price"). The price  received
upon  redemption may  be more  or less  than the  amount paid  by the Unitholder
depending on the value of  the Bonds on the  date of tender. Unitholders  should
check  with the Trustee or their broker to determine the Redemption Price before
tendering Units.
    
 
   
    The "date of  tender" is  deemed to  be the date  on which  the request  for
redemption  of Units is received  in proper form by  the Trustee, except that as
regards a redemption request received after 4:00 p.m. eastern time, or as of any
earlier closing time on a day on  which the Exchange is scheduled in advance  to
close  at such  earlier time, or  on any day  on which the  Exchange is normally
closed, the date of tender  is the next day on  which such Exchange is  normally
open  for trading and such request will be  deemed to have been made on such day
and the redemption  will be effected  at the Redemption  Price computed on  that
day.
    
 
    Accrued  interest paid  on redemption shall  be withdrawn  from the Interest
Account of the  appropriate Trust or,  if the balance  therein is  insufficient,
from  the Principal Account of such Trust.  All other amounts paid on redemption
shall be withdrawn from the Principal Account. The Trustee is empowered to  sell
underlying  Bonds of a  Trust in order  to make funds  available for redemption.
(See "HOW BONDS MAY  BE REMOVED FROM  THE TRUSTS.") Units  so redeemed shall  be
cancelled.  To  the  extent that  Bonds  are sold  from  a Trust,  the  size and
diversity of such Trust will  be reduced. Such sales may  be required at a  time
when  Bonds would not  otherwise be sold  and might result  in lower prices than
might otherwise be realized.
 
   
    The Redemption Price is  determined on the  basis of the  BID prices of  the
Bonds  in each Trust, while  the initial Public Offering  Price of Units will be
determined on the  basis of the  OFFERING prices of  the Bonds as  of 4:00  p.m.
eastern  time on any day on which the  Exchange is normally open for trading, or
as of any earlier closing  time on a day on  which the Exchange is scheduled  in
advance to close at such earlier time, and such determination is made. As of any
given time, the difference between the bid and offering prices of such Bonds may
be  expected to average 1/2% to 2% of  principal amount. In the case of actively
traded Bonds, the difference may be  as little as 1/4 to  1/2 of 1%, and in  the
case of inactively traded Bonds such difference usually will not exceed 3%.
    
 
    The  right  of redemption  may be  suspended and  payment postponed  for any
period during  which  the Securities  and  Exchange Commission  determines  that
trading  in the municipal bond market is restricted or an emergency exists, as a
result  of  which  disposal  or  evaluation  of  the  Bonds  is  not  reasonably
practicable, or for such other periods as the Securities and Exchange Commission
may by order permit.
 
    Under  regulations issued by the Internal  Revenue Service, the Trustee will
be required to withhold a specified percentage of the principal amount of a Unit
redemption if the Trustee has not been furnished the redeeming Unitholder's  tax
identification  number in the manner required by such regulations. Any amount so
withheld is transmitted to the Internal
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
Revenue Service and may be recovered by  the Unitholder only when filing his  or
her  tax return. Under normal circumstances the Trustee obtains the Unitholder's
tax identification number from the selling broker at the time the Certificate or
Book Entry Return  Confirmation is  issued, and this  number is  printed on  the
Certificate or Book Entry Return Confirmation and on distribution statements. If
a  Unitholder's tax identification number does not appear as described above, or
if it is incorrect, the Unitholder  should contact the Trustee before  redeeming
Units  to determine  what action,  if any,  is required  to avoid  this "back-up
withholding."
 
HOW UNITS MAY BE PURCHASED BY THE SPONSOR
 
The Trustee will notify the  Sponsor of any tender  of Units for redemption.  If
the  Sponsor's bid in  the secondary market  at that time  equals or exceeds the
Redemption Price it may purchase such Units by notifying the Trustee before  the
close  of business on the  second succeeding business day  and by making payment
therefor to  the  Unitholder not  later  than the  day  on which  payment  would
otherwise have been made by the Trustee. (See "HOW UNITS MAY BE REDEEMED WITHOUT
CHARGE.")  The Sponsor's current practice  is to bid at  the Redemption Price in
the secondary market. Units held by the  Sponsor may be tendered to the  Trustee
for redemption as any other Units.
 
HOW BONDS MAY BE REMOVED FROM THE TRUSTS
 
Bonds will be removed from a Trust as they mature or are redeemed by the issuers
thereof.  See Part A of  this Prospectus and "RISK  FACTORS" for a discussion of
call provisions of portfolio Bonds.
 
   
    The Indenture also  empowers the Trustee  to sell Bonds  for the purpose  of
redeeming  Units tendered by any Unitholder, and for the payment of expenses for
which income may not be available. Under the Indenture, the Sponsor is obligated
to provide the Trustee with a current list of Bonds in each Trust to be sold  in
such  circumstances. In deciding which Bonds  should be sold the Sponsor intends
to consider, among  other things, such  factors as: (1)  market conditions;  (2)
market  prices  of  the  Bonds;  (3)  the  effect  on  income  distributions  to
Unitholders of the sale of various Bonds; (4) the effect on principal amount  of
underlying  Bonds  per Unit  of the  sale  of various  Bonds; (5)  the financial
condition of the issuers; and (6) the effect of the sale of various Bonds on the
investment character of the Trust. Such sales, if required, could result in  the
sale  of Bonds by the Trustee at prices less than original cost to the Trust. To
the extent Bonds are sold, the size and diversity of such Trust will be reduced.
    
 
    In addition, the  Sponsor is empowered  to direct the  Trustee to  liquidate
Bonds upon the happening of certain other events, such as default in the payment
of principal and/or interest, an action of the issuer that will adversely affect
its  ability to continue payment of the  principal of and interest on its Bonds,
or an  adverse  change  in  market, revenue  or  credit  factors  affecting  the
investment  character of the Bonds. If a default in the payment of the principal
of and/or interest  on any  of the  Bonds occurs, and  if the  Sponsor fails  to
instruct  the Trustee whether to  sell or continue to  hold such Bonds within 30
days after  notification by  the Trustee  to the  Sponsor of  such default,  the
Indenture  provides that  the Trustee shall  liquidate said  Bonds forthwith and
shall not be liable for  any loss so incurred. The  Sponsor may also direct  the
Trustee  to liquidate Bonds in a Trust if the Bonds in the Trust are the subject
of an advanced refunding,  generally considered to be  when refunding bonds  are
issued and the proceeds thereof are deposited in irrevocable trust to retire the
refunded Bonds on their redemption date.
 
    Except  as stated in "COMPOSITION OF  TRUSTS" regarding the limited right of
substitution of Replacement  Bonds for  Failed Bonds, and  except for  refunding
securities that may be exchanged for Bonds under certain conditions specified in
the  Indenture, the Indenture does not permit  either the Sponsor or the Trustee
to acquire or deposit bonds either in  addition to, or in substitution for,  any
of the Bonds initially deposited in a Trust.
 
INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRUSTEE
 
The  Trustee and its address are stated on the  back cover of this Part B of the
Prospectus. The Trustee is subject to supervision and examination by the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation,  the Board  of Governors of  the Federal  Reserve
System and either the Comptroller of the Currency or state banking authorities.
 
LIMITATIONS ON LIABILITIES OF SPONSOR AND TRUSTEE
 
    The  Sponsor and the Trustee shall be  under no liability to Unitholders for
taking any action or for  refraining from any action  in good faith pursuant  to
the Indenture, or for errors in judgment, but shall be liable only for their own
negligence,  lack of good faith or willful  misconduct. The Trustee shall not be
liable for depreciation or loss incurred by reason of the sale by the Trustee of
any of the Bonds. In the  event of the failure of  the Sponsor to act under  the
Indenture, the Trustee may act thereunder and shall not be liable for any action
taken by it in good faith under the Indenture.
 
    The  Trustee shall not be liable for any taxes or other governmental charges
imposed upon or in respect of the Bonds or upon the interest thereon or upon  it
as  Trustee under  the Indenture or  upon or in  respect of any  Trust which the
Trustee may be required  to pay under  any present or future  law of the  United
States  of  America or  of any  other taxing  authority having  jurisdiction. In
addition,  the  Indenture  contains  other  customary  provisions  limiting  the
liability of the Trustee.
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
SUCCESSOR TRUSTEES AND SPONSORS
 
    The  Trustee or any successor trustee  may resign by executing an instrument
of resignation in writing and filing same with the Sponsor and mailing a copy of
a notice of resignation to all  Unitholders then of record. Upon receiving  such
notice,  the Sponsor is required to promptly appoint a successor trustee. If the
Trustee becomes incapable of acting or is adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent, or a
receiver or other public officer shall  take charge of its property or  affairs,
the  Sponsor  may  remove  the  Trustee  and  appoint  a  successor  by  written
instrument. The resignation  or removal of  a trustee and  the appointment of  a
successor trustee shall become effective only when the successor trustee accepts
its appointment as such. Any successor trustee shall be a corporation authorized
to  exercise  corporate  trust  powers, having  capital,  surplus  and undivided
profits of not less than $5,000,000. Any corporation into which a trustee may be
merged or with which it may  be consolidated, or any corporation resulting  from
any  merger or consolidation to  which a trustee shall be  a party, shall be the
successor trustee.
 
    If upon resignation  of a trustee  no successor has  been appointed and  has
accepted the appointment within 30 days after notification, the retiring trustee
may  apply  to  a court  of  competent  jurisdiction for  the  appointment  of a
successor.
 
    If the Sponsor fails to undertake any of its duties under the Indenture, and
no express  provision is  made for  action by  the Trustee  in such  event,  the
Trustee  may, in addition to its other  powers under the Indenture (1) appoint a
successor sponsor or (2) terminate the Indenture and liquidate the Trusts.
 
INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPONSOR
 
   
Since our founding  in 1898, Nuveen  has been synonymous  with investments  that
withstand  the  test of  time.  Today, we  offer  a broad  range  of investments
designed for mature investors whose portfolio  is the principal source of  their
ongoing  financial  security. More  than  1.3 million  investors  have entrusted
Nuveen to help them maintain the lifestyle they currently enjoy.
    
 
   
    A value investing  approach--purchasing securities of  strong companies  and
communities  that represent good long-term value--is the cornerstone of Nuveen's
investment philosophy.  It is  a  careful, long-term  strategy that  offers  the
potential for attractive returns with moderated risk. Successful value investing
begins  with in-depth research and a discerning eye for marketplace opportunity.
Nuveen's team of investment professionals is backed by the discipline, resources
and expertise of almost a century of investment experience, including one of the
most recognized research departments in the industry.
    
 
   
    To meet  the unique  circumstances and  financial planning  needs of  mature
investors,  Nuveen  offers  a  wide array  of  taxable  and  tax-free investment
products--including  equity  and   fixed-income  mutual   funds,  unit   trusts,
exchange-traded  funds, customized asset management services and cash management
products. Nuveen is a subsidiary of The  John Nuveen Company which, in turn,  is
approximately  78% owned by the St. Paul  Companies, Inc. ("ST. PAUL"). St. Paul
is located  in St.  Paul,  Minnesota and  is  principally engaged  in  providing
property-liability  insurance through  subsidiaries. Nuveen  is a  member of the
National Association of  Securities Dealers,  Inc. and  the Securities  Industry
Association  and has  its principal office  located in Chicago  (333 West Wacker
Drive). Nuveen maintains 11 regional offices.
    
 
   
    To help advisers and investors better understand and more efficiently use an
investment in  the Trusts  to  reach their  investment  goals, the  Sponsor  may
advertise and create specific investment programs and systems. For example, such
activities may include presenting information on how to use an investment in the
Trusts, alone or in combination with an investment in other mutual funds or unit
investment trusts sponsored by Nuveen, to accumulate assets for future education
needs  or periodic payments such as  insurance premiums. The Trusts' sponsor may
produce software or  additional sales  literature to promote  the advantages  of
using the Trusts to meet these and other specific investor needs.
    
 
OTHER INFORMATION
AMENDMENT OF INDENTURE
 
    The  Indenture may  be amended  by the Trustee  and the  Sponsor without the
consent of any of  the Unitholders (1)  to cure any ambiguity  or to correct  or
supplement  any provision thereof which may be defective or inconsistent, or (2)
to make such  other provisions as  shall not adversely  affect the  Unitholders,
provided,  however, that the Indenture may not be amended to increase the number
of Units in any Trust or to permit the deposit or acquisition of bonds either in
addition to, or in substitution for any of the Bonds initially deposited in  any
Trust except as stated in "COMPOSITION OF TRUSTS" regarding the limited right of
substitution  of Replacement Bonds and except  for the substitution of refunding
bonds under certain circumstances. The  Trustee shall advise the Unitholders  of
any amendment promptly after execution thereof.
 
TERMINATION OF INDENTURE
 
    Each  Trust may be liquidated at any time  by written consent of 100% of the
Unitholders or by  the Trustee when  the value of  such Trust, as  shown by  any
evaluation,  is less than 20% of the original principal amount of such Trust and
will be  liquidated  by  the Trustee  in  the  event that  Units  not  yet  sold
aggregating  more  than 60%  of the  Units originally  created are  tendered for
redemption by the Sponsor thereby reducing the  net worth of such Trust to  less
than  40%  of the  principal amount  of  the Bonds  originally deposited  in the
portfolio. (See "Essential Information" appearing in Part A of this Prospectus.)
The sale of Bonds from the Trusts upon termination may result in realization  of
a  lesser amount than might otherwise be realized if such sale were not required
at such time. For this reason, among others, the amount realized by a Unitholder
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
upon termination  may be  less than  the principal  amount of  Bonds  originally
represented  by the Units held by  such Unitholder. The Indenture will terminate
upon the redemption, sale or other disposition of the last Bond held thereunder,
but in no event shall it continue beyond the end of the calendar year  preceding
the  fiftieth anniversary of its execution for National and State Trusts, beyond
the end  of  the  calendar  year preceding  the  twentieth  anniversary  of  its
execution  for Long Intermediate,  and Intermediate Trusts or  beyond the end of
the calendar year  preceding the tenth  anniversary of its  execution for  Short
Intermediate and Short Term Trusts.
 
   
    Written  notice of  any termination  specifying the  time or  times at which
Unitholders may surrender their Certificates, if any, for cancellation shall  be
given  by  the  Trustee to  each  Unitholder  at the  address  appearing  on the
registration books of  a Trust maintained  by the Trustee.  Within a  reasonable
time  thereafter, the Trustee shall  liquidate any Bonds in  the Trust then held
and shall deduct from  the assets of  the Trust any  accrued costs, expenses  or
indemnities  provided  by  the  Indenture which  are  allocable  to  such Trust,
including estimated compensation of the Trustee and costs of liquidation and any
amounts required as a reserve to provide for payment of any applicable taxes  or
other  governmental charges. The Trustee shall then distribute to Unitholders of
such Trust their pro  rata share of  the balance of  the Interest and  Principal
Accounts.  With such  distribution, the Unitholders  shall be  furnished a final
distribution  statement,  in   substantially  the  same   form  as  the   annual
distribution statement, of the amount distributable. At such time as the Trustee
in  its sole discretion shall determine that  any amounts held in reserve are no
longer necessary, it shall make distribution thereof to Unitholders in the  same
manner.
    
 
LEGAL OPINION
 
    The legality of the Units offered hereby has been passed upon by Chapman and
Cutler, 111 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603. Special counsel for the
Trusts for respective state tax matters are named in "Tax Status" for each Trust
appearing  in  Part A  of this  Prospectus.  Carter, Ledyard  & Milburn,  2 Wall
Street, New York,  New York 10005,  has acted  as counsel for  the Trustee  with
respect  to the Series, and, in the absence of a New York Trust from the Series,
as special New York tax counsel for the Series.
 
AUDITORS
 
    The "Statement  of  Condition" and  "Schedule  of Investments"  at  Date  of
Deposit  included  in Part  A of  this  Prospectus have  been audited  by Arthur
Andersen LLP, independent public  accountants, as indicated  in their report  in
Part  A  of  this Prospectus,  and  are  included herein  in  reliance  upon the
authority of said firm as experts in giving said report.
 
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
 
    Upon written or telephonic request to the Trustee, investors will receive at
no cost to  the investor supplemental  information about this  Trust, which  has
been  filed  with the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission  and is  intended to
supplement information contained in  Part A and Part  B of this Prospectus.  The
supplemental  information includes more  detailed information concerning certain
of the Bonds included in the Trusts contained in the applicable Series and  more
specific   risk  information  concerning  the   individual  state  Trusts.  This
supplement also includes  additional general information  about the Sponsor  and
the Trusts.
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
                          NUVEEN  Tax-Free Unit Trusts
 
   
                              PROSPECTUS -- PART B
                                  JULY 8, 1997
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<C>                       <S>        <C>
                 SPONSOR             John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated
                                     333 West Wacker Drive
                                     Chicago, IL 60606-1286
                                     Telephone: 312.917.7700
 
                                     Swiss Bank Tower
                                     10 East 50th Street
                                     New York, NY 10022
                                     212.207.2000
 
                 TRUSTEE             The Chase Manhattan Bank
                                     4 New York Plaza
                                     New York, NY 10004-2413
                                     800.257.8787
 
           LEGAL COUNSEL             Chapman and Cutler
              TO SPONSOR             111 West Monroe Street
                                     Chicago, IL 60603
 
             INDEPENDENT             Arthur Andersen LLP
                  PUBLIC             33 West Monroe Street
             ACCOUNTANTS             Chicago, IL 60603
          FOR THE TRUSTS
</TABLE>
    
 
                                 --------------
 
           Except  as to  statements made herein  furnished by  the Trustee, the
Trustee  has  assumed   no  responsibility  for   the  accuracy,  adequacy   and
completeness of the information contained in this Prospectus.
 
           This  Prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in
the registration  statement  and  exhibits  relating  thereto,  filed  with  the
Securities  and Exchange Commission, Washington,  D.C., under the Securities Act
of 1933, and to which reference is made.
 
   
           No  person  is  authorized  to  give  any  information  or  to   make
representations  not contained in this Prospectus or in supplemental information
or  sales  literature  prepared   by  the  Sponsor,   and  any  information   or
representation  not contained  therein must  not be  relied upon  as having been
authorized by either  the Trusts, the  Trustee or the  Sponsor. This  Prospectus
does  not constitute  an offer to  sell, or a  solicitation of an  offer to buy,
securities in any  State to any  person to whom  it is not  lawful to make  such
offer  in such state. The Trusts are  registered as Unit Investment Trusts under
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. Such registration does not imply
that the  Trusts  or  any  of  their  Units  have  been  guaranteed,  sponsored,
recommended  or approved by the United States  or any State or agency or officer
thereof.
    

<PAGE>
                          NUVEEN TAX-FREE UNIT TRUSTS
 
                 ---------------------------------------------
 
                             INFORMATION SUPPLEMENT
 
                               NUVEEN SERIES 993
 
               This   Information   Supplement   provides  additional
           information concerning the structure, operations and risks
           of  a  Nuveen  Tax-Free  Unit  Trust  not  found  in   the
           prospectuses  for the Trusts.  This Information Supplement
           is not  a  prospectus and  does  not include  all  of  the
           information  that a  prospective investor  should consider
           before investing in a  Trust. This Information  Supplement
           should  be read in conjunction with the prospectus for the
           Trust  in  which  an  investor  is  considering  investing
           ("Prospectus").  Copies of the  Prospectus can be obtained
           by calling or writing the Trustee at the telephone  number
           and  address indicated in  Part B of  the Prospectus. This
           Information Supplement  has  been  created  to  supplement
           information contained in the Prospectus.
 
               This  Information Supplement  is dated  April 8, 1998.
           Capitalized terms have been defined in the Prospectus.
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
                 ----------------------------------------------
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                    <C>
GENERAL RISK DISCLOSURE..............................................           2
  Health Care Facility Revenue Obligations...........................           2
  Single Family and Multi-Family Housing Revenue Obligations.........           2
  Single Family Mortgage Revenue Bonds...............................           2
  Congregate Care Revenue Obligations................................           3
  Federally Enhanced Obligations.....................................           3
  Public Housing Authority Revenue Obligations.......................           3
  Industrial Revenue Obligations.....................................           3
  Power Revenue Obligations..........................................           4
  Utility Obligations................................................           4
  Transportation Bonds...............................................           4
  Water and/or Sewerage Revenue Obligations..........................           4
  Resource Recovery Revenue Obligations..............................           5
  Education Revenue Obligations......................................           5
  Bridge and Tollroad Revenue Obligations............................           5
  Dedicated-Tax Supported Revenue Bonds..............................           5
  Municipal Lease Revenue Bonds......................................           5
  Special Obligation to Crossover....................................           5
  Civic Organization Obligations.....................................           5
  Original Issue Discount Bonds and Stripped Obligations.............           5
WHY AND HOW ARE THE BONDS INSURED?...................................           6
ACCUMULATION PLAN....................................................           8
INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPONSOR........................................           9
DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS...............................................          11
HOW THE TRUST COMPARES PERFORMANCE...................................          13
HOW TO CALCULATE YOUR ESTIMATED INCOME...............................          14
Appendix A -- Connecticut Disclosure.................................         A-1
Appendix B -- New Jersey Disclosure..................................         B-1
</TABLE>
    
 
<PAGE>
GENERAL RISK DISCLOSURE
 
    An investment in Units of any Trust should be made with an understanding  of
the  risks that such an investment may  entail. These include the ability of the
issuer, or,  if  applicable,  an  insurer, to  make  payments  of  interest  and
principal  when due, the  effects of changes in  interest rates generally, early
call provisions and the potential for changes in the tax status of the Bonds. As
set forth in the portfolio  summaries in Part A  of this Prospectus, the  Trusts
may  contain or be concentrated  in one or more of  the types of bonds discussed
below.  The  following  paragraphs  discuss  certain  circumstances  which   may
adversely  affect the  ability of issuers  of Bonds  held in the  portfolio of a
Trust to make payment of principal  and interest thereon or which may  adversely
affect  the  ratings of  such Bonds;  with respect  to Insured  Trusts, however,
because of the insurance obtained by the Sponsor or by the issuers of the Bonds,
such changes should not adversely affect an Insured Trust's receipt of principal
and interest, the Standard & Poor's AAA  or Moody's Aaa ratings of the Bonds  in
the Insured Trust portfolio, or the Standard & Poor's AAA rating of the Units of
each  such Insured Trust. For economic  risks specific to the individual Trusts,
see "Risk Factors" for each Trust.
 
    HEALTH CARE FACILITY REVENUE OBLIGATIONS.  Some of the Bonds in a Trust  may
be  obligations of issuers whose revenues  are derived from services provided by
hospitals or other health care  facilities, including nursing homes. Ratings  of
bonds  issued  for health  care facilities  are  sometimes based  on feasibility
studies that contain projections of  occupancy levels, revenues and expenses.  A
facility's  gross  receipts and  net income  available for  debt service  may be
affected by future events and  conditions including, among other things,  demand
for  services, the ability of the facility  to provide the services required, an
increasing shortage of qualified nurses or a dramatic rise in nursing  salaries,
physicians'  confidence  in  the  facility,  management  capabilities,  economic
developments in  the service  area, competition  from other  similar  providers,
efforts  by  insurers  and  governmental agencies  to  limit  rates, legislation
establishing state rate-setting agencies,  expenses, government regulation,  the
cost  and possible unavailability of  malpractice insurance, and the termination
or restriction of governmental  financial assistance, including that  associated
with  Medicare, Medicaid and other similar  third party payor programs. Medicare
reimbursements are currently calculated on a prospective basis and are not based
on a provider's actual costs. Such method of reimbursement may adversely  affect
reimbursements to hospitals and other facilities for services provided under the
Medicare  program and thereby may have an  adverse effect on the ability of such
institutions to satisfy  debt service requirements.  In the event  of a  default
upon  a bond  secured by hospital  facilities, the limited  alternative uses for
such facilities may result  in the recovery upon  such collateral not  providing
sufficient funds to fully repay the bonds.
 
    Certain  hospital  bonds  provide for  redemption  at par  upon  the damage,
destruction or  condemnation of  the  hospital facilities  or in  other  special
circumstances.
 
    SINGLE  FAMILY AND  MULTI-FAMILY HOUSING REVENUE  OBLIGATIONS.   Some of the
Bonds in a  Trust may  be obligations of  issuers whose  revenues are  primarily
derived  from mortgage loans to  housing projects for the  elderly or for low to
moderate income families. Such issues  are generally characterized by  mandatory
redemption  at par or,  in the case  of original issue  discount bonds, accreted
value in the event  of economic defaults and  in the event of  a failure of  the
operator  of a project to  comply with certain covenants  as to the operation of
the project.  The failure  of such  operator to  comply with  certain  covenants
related  to the tax-exempt status  of interest on the  Bonds, such as provisions
requiring that a specified percentage of units be rented or available for rental
to low or  moderate income families,  potentially could cause  interest on  such
Bonds  to be subject to Federal income taxation from the date of issuance of the
Bonds. The  ability  of such  issuers  to make  debt  service payments  will  be
affected  by events and conditions affecting financed projects, including, among
other things, the achievement and maintenance of sufficient occupancy levels and
adequate rental income,  employment and  income conditions  prevailing in  local
labor  markets, increases in taxes, utility  costs and other operating expenses,
the managerial ability  of project  managers, changes in  laws and  governmental
regulations,  the  appropriation of  subsidies, and  social and  economic trends
affecting the localities in  which the projects are  located. Occupancy of  such
housing  projects  may be  adversely  affected by  high  rent levels  and income
limitations imposed under Federal and state programs.
 
    SINGLE FAMILY MORTGAGE REVENUE BONDS.  Some  of the Bonds in a Trust may  be
single  family  mortgage revenue  bonds,  which are  issued  for the  purpose of
acquiring from originating financial institutions notes secured by mortgages  on
residences located within the issuer's boundaries and owned by persons of low or
moderate  income. Mortgage loans  are generally partially  or completely prepaid
prior to  their final  maturities as  a result  of events  such as  sale of  the
mortgaged  premises, default, condemnation or casualty loss. Because these bonds
are subject to extraordinary mandatory redemption in whole or in part from  such
prepayments of mortgage loans, a substantial portion of such bonds will probably
be  redeemed prior to their scheduled maturities or even prior to their ordinary
call dates. Extraordinary mandatory redemption without premium could also result
from the  failure of  the originating  financial institutions  to make  mortgage
loans in sufficient amounts within a specified time period. The redemption price
of  such issues  may be  more or  less than  the offering  price of  such bonds.
Additionally, unusually high rates of  default on the underlying mortgage  loans
may  reduce revenues available  for the payment  of principal of  or interest on
such mortgage revenue
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
bonds. Single family mortgage revenue bonds issued after December 31, 1980  were
issued  under Section 103A of the Internal  Revenue Code of 1954, as amended, or
Section 143 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, which Sections contain certain
requirements relating to the use of the proceeds of such bonds in order for  the
interest on such bonds to retain its tax-exempt status. In each case, the issuer
of  the bonds  has covenanted  to comply  with applicable  requirements and bond
counsel to such issuer has issued an  opinion that the interest on the bonds  is
exempt from Federal income tax under existing laws and regulations. There can be
no assurance that such continuing requirements will be satisfied; the failure to
meet  such  requirements could  cause interest  on  the Bonds  to be  subject to
Federal income taxation, possibly from the date of issuance of the Bonds.
 
    CONGREGATE CARE REVENUE OBLIGATIONS.   Some of the Bonds  in a Trust may  be
obligations  of  issuers  whose revenues  are  primarily derived  from  loans to
finance the  construction  and/or  acquisition of  congregate  care  facilities,
including  retirement  facilities and  nursing  care units.  A  facility's gross
receipts and net  income available for  debt service may  be affected by  future
events  and conditions, including, among other  things, demand for services, the
ability  of  the   facility  to  provide   the  services  required,   management
capabilities,  an increasing shortage of qualified  nurses or a dramatic rise in
nursing salaries, economic  developments in the  service area, competition  from
other  similar providers, efforts by insurers and governmental agencies to limit
rates,  legislation   establishing   state  rate-setting   agencies,   expenses,
government  regulation  and  the  termination  or  restriction  of  governmental
financial assistance.
 
    FEDERALLY ENHANCED  OBLIGATIONS.   Some of  the mortgages  which secure  the
various  health care or housing projects which underlie the previously discussed
Health Care Facility  Revenue, Single Family  and Multi-Family Housing  Revenue,
Single  Family Mortgage  Revenue Obligations  and Congregate  Care Revenue Bonds
(the  "Obligations")  in  a  Trust  may  be  insured  by  the  Federal   Housing
Administration  ("FHA"). Under  FHA regulations, the  maximum insurable mortgage
amount cannot exceed 90% of  the FHA's estimated value  of the project. The  FHA
mortgage  insurance does  not constitute  a guarantee  of timely  payment of the
principal of  and interest  on the  Obligations. Payment  of mortgage  insurance
benefits may be (1) less than the principal amount of Obligations outstanding or
(2)  delayed if  disputes arise as  to the amount  of the payment  or if certain
notices are  not  given  to the  FHA  within  the prescribed  time  periods.  In
addition,  some  of  the  previously discussed  Obligations  may  be  secured by
mortgage-backed certificates  guaranteed  by the  Government  National  Mortgage
Association  ("GNMA"), a  wholly owned  corporate instrumentality  of the United
States, and/or  the  Federal  National Mortgage  Association  ("Fannie  Mae")  a
federally  chartered  and  stockholder-owed  corporation.  GNMA  and  Fannie Mae
guarantee timely  payment  of  principal and  interest  on  the  mortgage-backed
certificates,  even where the  underlying mortgage payments  are not made. While
such mortgage-backed  certificates  are  often  pledged  to  secure  payment  of
principal  and  interest  on the  Obligations,  timely payment  of  interest and
principal on the Obligations is not insured or guaranteed by the United  States,
GNMA,  Fannie Mae or any other  governmental agency or instrumentality. The GNMA
mortgage-backed certificates  constitute  a  general obligation  of  the  United
States  backed by  its full  faith and  credit. The  obligations of  Fannie Mae,
including its obligations under the  Fannie Mae mortgage-backed securities,  are
obligations solely of Fannie Mae and are not backed by, or entitled to, the full
faith and credit of the United States.
 
    PUBLIC  HOUSING AUTHORITY REVENUE OBLIGATIONS.  Some of the Bonds in a Trust
may be obligations of issuers whose revenues are primarily derived from loans to
finance public  housing projects.  These  bonds are  guaranteed by  the  federal
Department   of  Housing  and  Urban  Development.  Such  issues  are  generally
characterized by mandatory redemption at par  or, in the case of original  issue
discount bonds, accreted value in the event of economic defaults. The ability of
such  issuers  to make  debt service  payments  will be  affected by  events and
conditions affecting  financed  projects,  including, among  other  things,  the
achievement  and  maintenance  of sufficient  occupancy  levels,  employment and
income conditions prevailing in local labor markets, increases in taxes, utility
costs  and  other   operating  expenses,  changes   in  laws  and   governmental
regulations,  and social and  economic trends affecting  the localities in which
the projects are  located. In addition,  the federal Department  of Housing  and
Urban  Development may impose  regulations and/or limitations  which may have an
adverse impact on the Bonds in a Trust.
 
    INDUSTRIAL REVENUE OBLIGATIONS.   Certain  of the Bonds  in a  Trust may  be
industrial  revenue bonds  ("IRBs"), which  are tax-exempt  securities issued by
states, municipalities, public  authorities or similar  entities to finance  the
cost  of acquiring, constructing or improving various industrial projects. These
projects are usually operated by corporate entities. Issuers are obligated  only
to  pay amounts due on the IRBs to  the extent that funds are available from the
unexpended proceeds of the IRBs or receipts  or revenues of the issuer under  an
arrangement  between the  issuer and  the corporate  operator of  a project. The
arrangement may  be  in  the  form  of  a  lease,  installment  sale  agreement,
conditional  sale agreement or loan agreement, but  in each case the payments to
the issuer are designed to be sufficient to meet the payments of amounts due  on
the  IRBs. Regardless of the structure, payment of IRBs is solely dependent upon
the  creditworthiness  of  the  corporate  operator  of  the  project  and,   if
applicable,  corporate  guarantor.  Corporate  operators  or  guarantors  may be
affected by many factors which may have an adverse impact on the credit  quality
of the particular company or industry. These include cyclicality of revenues and
earnings,  regulatory and environmental  restrictions, litigation resulting from
accidents  or  environmentally-caused   illnesses,  extensive  competition   and
financial  deterioration resulting from a  corporate restructuring pursuant to a
leveraged  buy-out,   takeover   or   otherwise.  Such   a   restructuring   may
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
result  in the operator of a project becoming highly leveraged which may have an
impact on such operator's creditworthiness which  in turn would have an  adverse
impact on the rating and/or market value of such Bonds. Further, the possibility
of  such  a restructuring  may  have an  adverse impact  on  the market  for and
consequently the value of  such Bonds, even though  no actual takeover or  other
action  is ever contemplated or effected. The IRBs  in a Trust may be subject to
special or extraordinary redemption provisions which may provide for  redemption
at  par or, in  the case of  original issue discount  bonds, accreted value. The
Sponsor cannot predict the causes or likelihood  of the redemption of IRBs in  a
Trust prior to the stated maturity of such Bonds.
 
    POWER  REVENUE OBLIGATIONS.  Some of the Bonds in a Trust may be obligations
of issuers whose revenues are primarily derived from pollution control bonds  as
well  as the sale of electric energy and  oil and gas. Some of these obligations
are backed by the credit of an investor owned utility (IOU). The problems  faced
by  such issuers  include the  difficulty in  obtaining approval  for timely and
adequate rate  increases from  the applicable  public utility  commissions,  the
difficulty  of  financing  large construction  programs,  increased competition,
reductions in estimates of future demand for electricity in certain areas of the
country,  the  limitations  on  operations   and  increased  costs  and   delays
attributable  to  environmental considerations,  the  difficulty of  the capital
market in absorbing utility debt, the difficulty in obtaining fuel at reasonable
prices and the  effect of  energy conservation. All  of such  issuers have  been
experiencing certain of these problems in varying degrees. In addition, Federal,
state  and  municipal  governmental authorities  may  from time  to  time review
existing,  and   impose  additional,   regulations  governing   the   licensing,
construction  and operation of nuclear power  plants, which may adversely affect
the ability of the issuers of certain of  the Bonds in a Trust to make  payments
of principal and/or interest on such Bonds.
 
    UTILITY  OBLIGATIONS.  Some  of the Bonds  in a Trust  may be obligations of
issuers whose revenues are primarily derived from the sale of natural gas or the
combined net revenue  of two or  more municipal utility  systems operating as  a
single  entity. The  problems faced  by such  issuers include  the difficulty in
obtaining approval for timely  and adequate rate  increases from the  applicable
public  utility  commissions,  the difficulty  of  financing  large construction
programs, increased competition, reductions in  estimates of future demands  for
natural  gas in certain areas of the  country, the limitations on operations and
increased costs  and delays  attributable to  environmental considerations,  the
difficulty  of the capital  market in absorbing utility  debt, the difficulty in
obtaining fuel at reasonable  prices and the effect  of energy conservation.  In
addition, Federal, state and municipal governmental authorities may from time to
time   review  existing,  and  impose   additional,  regulations  governing  the
licensing, construction  and  operation  of  nuclear  power  plants,  which  may
adversely  affect the ability of the issuers of  certain of the Bonds in a Trust
to make payments of principal and/or interest on such Bonds.
 
    TRANSPORTATION BONDS.  Some of  the Bonds in a  Trust may be obligations  of
issuers  which  are  payable  from  and secured  by  revenues  derived  from the
ownership and operation of airports, public transit systems and ports. The major
portion of an airport's  gross operating income is  generally derived from  fees
received  from  airlines  pursuant to  use  agreements which  consist  of annual
payments for airport use, occupancy of certain terminal space, service fees  and
leases. Airport operating income may therefore be affected by the ability of the
airlines  to meet their obligations under  the use agreements. The air transport
industry is experiencing significant variations in earnings and traffic, due  to
increased  competition, excess capacity,  increased costs, deregulation, traffic
constraints and  other factors,  and several  airlines are  experiencing  severe
financial  difficulties. In particular, facilities with use agreements involving
airlines experiencing financial difficulty may experience a reduction in revenue
due to the  possible inability  of these airlines  to meet  their use  agreement
obligations  because of such financial difficulties and possible bankruptcy. The
Sponsor cannot predict what effect these industry conditions may have on airport
revenues which  are dependent  for payment  on the  financial condition  of  the
airlines  and their  usage of  the particular  airport facility.  Bonds that are
secured primarily by the revenue collected by a public transit system  typically
are  additionally secured  by a  pledge of sales  tax receipts  collected at the
state or local  level, or  of other governmental  financial assistance.  Transit
system net revenues will be affected by variations in utilization, which in turn
may  be affected by the degree  of local governmental subsidization, demographic
and population shifts, and competition  from other forms of transportation;  and
by  increased  costs,  including  costs  resulting  from  previous  deferrals of
maintenance. Port authorities derive their revenues primarily from fees  imposed
on  ships using the facilities.  The rate of utilization  of such facilities may
fluctuate depending on the local economy and on competition from competing forms
of transportation such as air, rail and trucks.
 
    WATER AND/OR SEWERAGE REVENUE OBLIGATIONS.  Some of the Bonds in a Trust may
be obligations of  issuers whose  revenues are derived  from the  sale of  water
and/or  sewerage services. Such Bonds are  generally payable from user fees. The
problems of such issuers include the ability to obtain timely and adequate  rate
increases,  population decline resulting in  decreased user fees, the difficulty
of financing  large construction  programs, the  limitations on  operations  and
increased  costs and  delays attributable  to environmental  considerations, the
increasing difficulty of obtaining or  discovering new supplies of fresh  water,
the  effect  of  conservation  programs and  the  impact  of  "no-growth" zoning
ordinances. All of such issuers have been experiencing certain of these problems
in varying degrees.
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
    RESOURCE RECOVERY REVENUE OBLIGATIONS.  Some of the Bonds in a Trust may  be
obligations  of issuers whose revenues are derived  from the sale of sewerage or
solid waste disposal services. Such bonds are generally payable from user  fees.
The  problems of such issuers include the  ability to obtain timely and adequate
rate increases,  population  decline  resulting  in  decreased  user  fees,  the
difficulty   of  financing  large  construction  programs,  the  limitations  on
operations  and  increased  costs  and  delays  attributable  to   environmental
considerations,   the  effect  of  conservation   programs  and  the  impact  of
"no-growth" zoning  ordinances.  All  of such  issuers  have  been  experiencing
certain of these problems in varying degrees.
 
    EDUCATION  REVENUE  OBLIGATIONS.   Some  of  the  Bonds in  a  Trust  may be
obligations of issuers which are, or which govern the operation of, colleges and
universities and  whose  revenues are  derived  mainly from  tuition,  dormitory
revenues,  grants and endowments.  General problems of  such issuers include the
prospect of a declining percentage of the population consisting of "college" age
individuals, possible inability to raise tuitions and fees sufficiently to cover
increased operating  costs,  the uncertainty  of  continued receipt  of  Federal
grants  and state funding,  and government legislation  or regulations which may
adversely affect the revenues or costs of such issuers. All of such issuers have
been experiencing certain of these problems in varying degrees.
 
    BRIDGE AND TOLLROAD REVENUE OBLIGATIONS.  Some  of the Bonds in a Trust  may
be  obligations  of issuers  which derive  their payments  from bridge,  road or
tunnel toll revenues. The revenues of such an issuer could be adversely affected
by competition from toll-free vehicular bridges and roads and alternative  modes
of transportation. Such revenues could also be adversely affected by a reduction
in  the availability of fuel to motorists  or significant increases in the costs
thereof. Specifically, governmental regulations restricting the use of  vehicles
in  the New  York City  metropolitan area may  adversely affect  revenues of the
Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority.
 
    DEDICATED-TAX SUPPORTED REVENUE BONDS.  Some of the Bonds in a Trust may  be
obligations of issuers which are payable from and secured by tax revenues from a
designated  source, which revenues are pledged  to secure the bonds. The various
types of  Bonds described  below differ  in structure  and with  respect to  the
rights of the bondholders to the underlying property. Each type of dedicated-tax
supported  Bond has distinct risks, only some  of which are set forth below. One
type of dedicated-tax supported Bond is secured by the incremental tax  received
on  either real property or on  sales within a specifically defined geographical
area; such  tax  generally will  not  provide bondholders  with  a lien  on  the
underlying property or revenues. Another type of dedicated-tax supported Bond is
secured  by a special tax levied on  real property within a defined geographical
area in such  a manner  that the tax  is levied  on those who  benefit from  the
project;  such bonds  typically provide for  a statutory lien  on the underlying
property for unpaid taxes. A third  type of dedicated-tax supported Bond may  be
secured by a tax levied upon the manufacture, sale or consumption of commodities
or  upon the license to pursue  certain occupations or upon corporate privileges
within a taxing jurisdiction. As to any of these types of Bonds, the ability  of
the  designated revenues to satisfy the  interest and principal payments on such
bonds may be affected by changes in the local economy, the financial success  of
the  enterprise  responsible for  the payment  of  the taxes,  the value  of any
property on which taxes may be assessed and the ability to collect such taxes in
a timely fashion. Each  of these factors  will have a  different affect on  each
distinct type of dedicated-tax supported bonds.
 
    MUNICIPAL  LEASE  REVENUE  BONDS.   Some  of the  Bonds  in a  Trust  may be
obligations that are secured  by lease payments of  a governmental entity.  Such
payments  are normally  subject to annual  budget appropriations  of the leasing
governmental entity.  A  governmental  entity  that enters  into  such  a  lease
agreement  cannot obligate future governments to  appropriate for and make lease
payments but covenants to take such action as is necessary to include any  lease
payments  due  in  its  budgets  and  to  make  the  appropriations  therefor. A
governmental entity's failure to appropriate for and to make payments under  its
lease obligation could result in insufficient funds available for payment of the
obligations secured thereby.
 
    SPECIAL OBLIGATION TO CROSSOVER.  Some of the Bonds in a Trust may be issued
with the intention of crossover refunding an outstanding issue at a future date.
These  bonds are  secured to  the crossover  date by  U.S. Government securities
purchased with the  proceeds of  the refunding bonds.  The revenues  of such  an
issuer  could be adversely affected by  problems associated with the outstanding
issue, economic, social and environmental  policies and conditions that are  not
within  the  control of  the issuer  and  governmental policies  and regulations
affecting the issuer.
 
    CIVIC ORGANIZATION  OBLIGATIONS.   Some  of  the Bonds  in  a Trust  may  be
obligations  of  issuers whose  revenues are  derived from  the pledge  of civic
organizations, including  their  assets.  The problems  faced  by  such  issuers
include  the ability  to collect  pledges made,  the unpredictable  nature of an
organization's  composition  and  participation,   the  quality  and  skill   of
management,  increased costs and delays attributable to organizations, expenses,
and legislation regarding certain organizational purposes.
 
    ORIGINAL ISSUE  DISCOUNT BONDS  AND STRIPPED  OBLIGATIONS.   Certain of  the
Bonds  in a Trust may be original  issue discount bonds. These Bonds were issued
with nominal  interest rates  less than  the rates  then offered  by  comparable
securities  and as a consequence  were originally sold at  a discount from their
face, or par, values. This original  issue discount, the difference between  the
initial  purchase price and face value, is deemed under current law to accrue on
a
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
daily basis and the accrued portion is treated as tax-exempt interest income for
federal income tax purposes.  On sale or redemption,  gain, if any, realized  in
excess  of the  earned portion  of original  issue discount  will be  taxable as
capital gain. See "What is the Tax Status of Unitholders". The current value  of
an original issue discount bond reflects the present value of its face amount at
maturity. In a stable interest rate environment, the market value of an original
issue  discount bond would  tend to increase  more slowly in  early years and in
greater increments as the bond approached maturity.
 
    Certain of the original issue discount bonds  in a Trust may be zero  coupon
bonds. Zero coupon bonds do not provide for the payment of any current interest;
the  buyer receives only the right to receive a final payment of the face amount
of the bond at its maturity. The effect  of owning a zero coupon bond is that  a
fixed  yield is earned not only on  the original investment but also, in effect,
on all  discount  earned  during  the life  of  the  obligation.  This  implicit
reinvestment of earnings at the same rate eliminates the risk of being unable to
reinvest  the income on such obligation at a rate as high as the implicit yield,
but at the same time also eliminates the holder's ability to reinvest at  higher
rates  in  the  future.  For  this reason,  zero  coupon  bonds  are  subject to
substantially greater  price  fluctuations  during periods  of  changing  market
interest  rates  than are  securities of  comparable  quality that  pay interest
currently.
 
    Original issue discount bonds, including  zero coupon bonds, may be  subject
to  redemption at prices  based on the  issue price plus  the amount of original
issue  discount  accreted  to  redemption   (the  "accreted  value")  plus,   if
applicable,  some premium.  Pursuant to such  call provisions  an original issue
discount bond may be called prior to its maturity date at a price less than  its
face  value. See the  "Schedules of Investments" for  more information about the
call provisions of portfolio Bonds.
 
    Certain of the Bonds in a Trust may be Stripped Obligations, which represent
evidences of  ownership with  respect to  either the  principal amount  of or  a
payment  of interest on a tax-exempt  obligation. An obligation is "stripped" by
depositing it with  a custodian, which  then effects a  separation in  ownership
between  the bond and any interest payment which has not yet become payable, and
issues evidences of ownership with respect to such constituent parts. A Stripped
Obligation therefore has economic characteristics similar to zero coupon  bonds,
as described above.
 
    Each  Stripped Obligation has  been purchased at a  discount from the amount
payable at maturity. With respect to each Unitholder, the Internal Revenue  Code
treats  as "original issue discount" that portion of the discount which produces
a yield to maturity (as of the date of purchase of the Unitholder's Units) equal
to the lower of the coupon rate of interest on the underlying obligation or  the
yield  to maturity on the basis of  the purchase price of the Unitholder's Units
which is allocable to  each Stripped Obligation.  Original issue discount  which
accrues with respect to a Stripped Obligation will be exempt from Federal income
taxation  to the  same extent  as interest  on the  underlying obligations. (See
"WHAT IS THE TAX STATUS OF UNITHOLDERS?" in Part B of this Prospectus.)
 
    Unitholders should consult their own tax advisers with respect to the  state
and  local tax consequences of owning  original issue discount bonds or Stripped
Obligations. Under applicable  provisions governing determination  of state  and
local  taxes, interest on original issue  discount bonds or Stripped Obligations
may be deemed  to be received  in the year  of accrual even  though there is  no
corresponding cash payment.
 
WHY AND HOW ARE THE BONDS INSURED?
 
INSURANCE ON BONDS
 
INSURED  TRUSTS--The Insurer's policy unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees
the full and complete payment required to be made by or on behalf of the  Issuer
to  the Paying Agent or its successor of an amount equal to (i) the principal of
(either at the stated maturity  or by an advancement  of maturity pursuant to  a
mandatory  sinking fund  payment) and  interest on,  the Bonds  as such payments
shall become due  but shall  not be so  paid (except  that in the  event of  any
acceleration  of  the due  date  of such  principal  by reason  of  mandatory or
optional redemption or acceleration resulting  from default or otherwise,  other
than  any advancement of maturity pursuant  to a mandatory sinking fund payment,
the payments guaranteed by  the Insurer's policy shall  be made in such  amounts
and  at such times as  such payments of principal would  have been due had there
not been any such acceleration); and (ii) the reimbursement of any such  payment
which  is subsequently recovered from any owner of the Bonds pursuant to a final
judgment by a court of competent  jurisdiction that such payment constitutes  an
avoidable  preference  to  such  owner  within  the  meaning  of  any applicable
bankruptcy law (a "Preference").
 
    The Insurer's policy does not insure against loss of any prepayment  premium
which  may at any time be payable with respect to any Bond. The Insurer's policy
does not, under any circumstance, insure against loss relating to: (i)  optional
or  mandatory redemptions (other than  mandatory sinking fund redemptions); (ii)
any payments to be made on an accelerated basis; (iii) payments of the  purchase
price  of Bonds upon tender by an owner thereof; or (iv) any Preference relating
to (i) through (iii)  above. The Insurer's policy  also does not insure  against
nonpayment  of  principal  of  or  interest  on  the  Bonds  resulting  from the
insolvency, negligence or any other act or  omission of the Paying Agent or  any
other paying agent for the Bonds.
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
    Upon  receipt of telephonic or  telegraphic notice, such notice subsequently
confirmed in writing by registered or certified mail, or upon receipt of written
notice by registered or certified mail, by the Insurer from the Paying Agent  or
any owner of a Bond the payment of an insured amount for which is then due, that
such  required payment has  not been made, the  Insurer on the  due date of such
payment or within one business day  after receipt of notice of such  nonpayment,
whichever  is later,  will make  a deposit  of funds,  in an  account with State
Street Bank and Trust Company,  N.A., in New York,  New York, or its  successor,
sufficient  for the  payment of  any such  insured amounts  which are  then due.
Upon presentment and surrender of such Bonds or presentment of such other  proof
of  ownership  of  the  Bonds,  together  with  any  appropriate  instruments of
assignment to evidence the assignment of the insured amounts due on the Bonds as
are paid by the Insurer, and  appropriate instruments to effect the  appointment
of  the Insurer as  agent for such owners  of the Bonds  in any legal proceeding
related to payment of insured amounts on the Bonds, such instruments being in  a
form  satisfactory to  State Street Bank  and Trust Company,  N.A., State Street
Bank and Trust Company, N.A. shall disperse  to such owners or the Paying  Agent
payment  of the insured amounts  due on such Bonds, less  any amount held by the
Paying Agent  for the  payment of  such insured  amounts and  legally  available
therefor.
 
    The  Insurer is the principal operating subsidiary of MBIA, Inc., a New York
Stock Exchange listed company  (the "Company"). MBIA, Inc.  is not obligated  to
pay  the debts of or claims against the Insurer. The Insurer is domiciled in the
State of New York and licensed to do business in and subject to regulation under
the laws of all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of  Puerto
Rico,  the Commonwealth of  the Northern Mariana Islands,  the Virgin Islands of
the United  States and  the Territory  of  Guam. The  Insurer has  two  European
branches,  one in the Republic of France and  the other in the Kingdom of Spain.
New York has laws prescribing minimum capital requirements, limiting classes and
concentrations of investments  and requiring  the approval of  policy rates  and
forms.  State laws also regulate the amount of both the aggregate and individual
risks that may be insured, the payment  of dividends by the Insurer, changes  in
control and transactions among affiliates. Additionally, the Insurer is required
to  maintain contingency reserves on its  liabilities in certain amounts and for
certain periods of time.
 
    Effective February 17,  1998, the  Company acquired all  of the  outstanding
stock  of Capital Markets  Assurance Corporation ("CMAC"),  a New York domiciled
financial guarantee insurance company, through a merger with its parent,  CapMAC
Holdings,  Inc. The  Company then  contributed the common  stock of  CMAC to the
Insurer. Pursuant to  a reinsurance  agreement, CMAC has  ceded all  of its  net
insured  risks as well as its unearned  premiums and contingency reserves to the
Insurer and  the Insurer  has  reinsured CMAC's  net outstanding  exposure.  The
Company is not obligated to pay the debts of or claims against CMAC.
 
    As  of December  31, 1996  the Insurer had  admitted assets  of $4.4 billion
(audited), total liabilities of  $3.0 billion (audited),  and total capital  and
surplus  of  $1.4  billion  (audited) determined  in  accordance  with statutory
accounting  practices   prescribed   or  permitted   by   insurance   regulatory
authorities.  As of September 30, 1997, the  Insurer had admitted assets of $5.1
billion (unaudited), total  liabilities of $3.4  billion (unaudited), and  total
capital  and surplus of  $1.7 billion (unaudited)  determined in accordance with
statutory accounting practices prescribed  or permitted by insurance  regulatory
authorities.
 
    Furthermore,  copies of the Insurer's year end financial statements prepared
in accordance with statutory accounting  practices are available without  charge
from  the Insurer. A  copy of the  Annual Report on  Form 10-K of  MBIA, Inc. is
available from  the  Insurer or  the  Securities and  Exchange  Commission.  The
address of the Insurer is 113 King Street, Armonk, New York 10504. The telephone
number of the Insurer is (914) 273-4545.
 
    Moody's Investors Service rates the claims paying ability of the Insurer and
CMAC "Aaa".
 
    Standard  & Poor's Ratings Service, a division of the McGraw Hill Companies,
Inc., rates the claims paying ability of the Insurer and CMAC "AAA".
 
   
    Fitch IBCA, Inc. (formerly known as Fitch Investors Service, L.P.) rates the
claims paying ability  of the Insurer  "AAA." (CMAC has  not requested a  rating
from Fitch IBCA, Inc.)
    
 
    Each  rating of the  Insurer should be  evaluated independently. The ratings
reflect   the   respective   rating   agency's   current   assessment   of   the
creditworthiness of the Insurer and its ability to pay claims on its policies of
insurance.  Any further explanation as to  the significance of the above ratings
may be obtained only from the applicable rating agency.
 
    The above ratings are  not recommendations to buy,  sell or hold the  Bonds,
and  such ratings may  be subject to revision  or withdrawal at  any time by the
rating agencies. Any downward revision or withdrawal of any of the above ratings
may have an adverse effect  on the market price of  the Bonds. The Insurer  does
not guaranty the market price of the Bonds nor does it guaranty that the ratings
on the Bonds will not be revised or withdrawn.
 
TRADITIONAL  TRUSTS--Insurance guaranteeing the timely payment, when due, of all
principal and interest  on certain Bonds  in a Traditional  Trust may have  been
obtained  by the Sponsor, issuer or underwriter of the particular Bonds involved
or by another party. Such  insurance, which provides coverage substantially  the
same  as that  obtained with  respect to  Bonds in  Insured Trusts  as described
above, is  effective  so  long  as  the insured  Bond  is  outstanding  and  the
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
insurer  remains in business. Insurance relates  only to the particular Bond and
not to the Units  offered hereby or  to their market  value. Insured Bonds  have
received  a rating of "Aaa"  by Moody's Investors Service,  Inc. and/or "AAA" by
Standard & Poor's Corporation in recognition of such insurance.
 
    If a Bond in a Traditional Trust is insured, the Schedule of Investments  in
Part  A of  this Prospectus  will identify the  insurer. Such  insurance will be
provided by  Financial  Guaranty  Insurance Company  ("FGIC"),  AMBAC  Assurance
Corporation  ("AMBAC"), Bond Investors Guaranty  Insurance Company, now known as
MBIA Corp. of  Illinois ("BIG"),  Capital Guaranty  Insurance Company  ("CGIC"),
Financial Security Assurance, Inc. ("FSA"), Municipal Bond Insurance Association
(the "Association"), MBIA Insurance Corporation ("MBIA") or Connie Lee Insurance
Company  ("ConnieLee"). The Sponsor to date  has purchased and presently intends
to purchase insurance for Bonds in Traditional Trusts exclusively from MBIA (see
the preceding disclosure  regarding MBIA). There  can be no  assurance that  any
insurer  listed therein  will be  able to satisfy  its commitments  in the event
claims are made in the future. However, Standard & Poor's Corporation has  rated
the  claims-paying ability of each insurer  "AAA," and Moody's Investors Service
has rated  all bonds  insured by  each such  insurer, except  ConnieLee,  "Aaa."
Moody's Investor's Service gives no ratings for bonds insured by ConnieLee.
 
    Because  any such insurance will  be effective so long  as the insured Bonds
are outstanding, such insurance  will be taken into  account in determining  the
market  value  of  such Bonds  and  therefore  some value  attributable  to such
insurance will be included in the value of the Units of the Trust that  includes
such  Bonds. The insurance does not, however,  guarantee the market value of the
Bonds or of the Units.
 
ACCUMULATION PLAN
 
The Sponsor, John Nuveen & Co.  Incorporated, is also the principal  underwriter
of  the Accumulation Funds listed in the following table. Each of these funds is
an open-end, diversified  management investment company  into which  Unitholders
may  choose  to reinvest  Trust distributions  automatically, without  any sales
charge. Unitholders may  reinvest both interest  and principal distributions  or
principal  distributions only. Each Accumulation  Fund has investment objectives
which differ in  certain respects from  those of  the Trusts and  may invest  in
securities which would not be eligible for deposit in the Trusts. The investment
adviser  to each Accumulation Fund is  a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Sponsor.
Unitholders should contact their financial  adviser or the Sponsor to  determine
which  of  the Accumulation  Funds they  may reinvest  into, as  reinvestment in
certain of the Accumulation Funds may be restricted to residents of a particular
state or states. Unitholders may obtain a prospectus for each Accumulation  Fund
through  their financial adviser or through the Sponsor at (800) 621-7227. For a
more detailed  description,  Unitholders  should  read  the  prospectus  of  the
Accumulation Fund in which they are interested.
 
The  following is a complete list of the Accumulation Funds currently available,
as of  the  Date  of  Deposit  of this  Prospectus,  to  Unitholders  under  the
Accumulation Plan. The list of available Accumulation Funds is subject to change
without the consent of any of the Unitholders.
 
ACCUMULATION FUNDS
 
MUTUAL FUNDS
 
NUVEEN FLAGSHIP MUNICIPAL TRUST
 
      Nuveen Municipal Bond Fund
      Nuveen Insured Municipal Bond Fund
      Nuveen Flagship All-American Municipal Bond Fund
      Nuveen Flagship Limited Term Municipal Bond Fund
      Nuveen Flagship Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
 
NUVEEN FLAGSHIP MULTISTATE TRUST I
 
      Nuveen Flagship Arizona Municipal Bond Fund
      Nuveen Flagship Colorado Municipal Bond Fund
      Nuveen Flagship Florida Municipal Bond Fund
      Nuveen Flagship Florida Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
      Nuveen Maryland Municipal Bond Fund
      Nuveen Flagship New Mexico Municipal Bond Fund
      Nuveen Flagship Pennsylvania Municipal Bond Fund
      Nuveen Flagship Virginia Municipal Bond Fund
 
NUVEEN FLAGSHIP MULTISTATE TRUST II
 
      Nuveen California Municipal Bond Fund
      Nuveen California Insured Municipal Bond Fund
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
      Nuveen Flagship Connecticut Municipal Bond Fund
      Nuveen Massachusetts Municipal Bond Fund
      Nuveen Massachusetts Insured Municipal Bond Fund
      Nuveen Flagship New Jersey Municipal Bond Fund
      Nuveen Flagship New Jersey Intermediate Municipal Bond Fund
      Nuveen Flagship New York Municipal Bond Fund
      Nuveen New York Insured Municipal Bond Fund
 
NUVEEN FLAGSHIP MULTISTATE TRUST III
 
      Nuveen Flagship Alabama Municipal Bond Fund
      Nuveen Flagship Georgia Municipal Bond Fund
      Nuveen Flagship Louisiana Municipal Bond Fund
      Nuveen Flagship North Carolina Municipal Bond Fund
      Nuveen Flagship South Carolina Municipal Bond Fund
      Nuveen Flagship Tennessee Municipal Bond Fund
 
NUVEEN FLAGSHIP MULTISTATE TRUST IV
 
      Nuveen Flagship Kansas Municipal Bond Fund
      Nuveen Flagship Kentucky Municipal Bond Fund
      Nuveen Flagship Kentucky Limited Term Municipal Bond Fund
      Nuveen Flagship Michigan Municipal Bond Fund
      Nuveen Flagship Missouri Municipal Bond Fund
      Nuveen Flagship Ohio Municipal Bond Fund
      Nuveen Flagship Wisconsin Municipal Bond Fund
 
Flagship Utility Income Fund
 
Nuveen Growth and Income Stock Fund
 
Nuveen Balanced Stock and Bond Fund
 
Nuveen Balanced Municipal and Stock Fund
 
   
Nuveen Rittenhouse Growth Fund
    
 
MONEY MARKET FUNDS
 
Nuveen California Tax-Free Money Market Fund
 
Nuveen Massachusetts Tax-Free Money Market Fund
 
Nuveen New York Tax-Free Money Market Fund
 
Nuveen Tax-Free Reserves, Inc.
 
Nuveen Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund, Inc.
 
    Each  person who purchases Units of a  Trust may become a participant in the
Accumulation Plan and elect  to have his  or her distributions  on Units of  the
Trust  invested directly in shares of one of the Accumulation Funds. Reinvesting
Unitholders  may  select  any  interest  distribution  plan.  Thereafter,   each
distribution  of  interest  income  or  principal  on  the  participant's  Units
(principal only in  the case of  a Unitholder  who has chosen  to reinvest  only
principal  distributions) will, on the applicable distribution date, or the next
day on which the New  York Stock Exchange is  normally open ("business day")  if
the  distribution date is not  a business day, automatically  be received by the
transfer agent for each of the Accumulation Funds, on behalf of such participant
and applied  on that  date to  purchase  shares (or  fractions thereof)  of  the
Accumulation  Fund chosen at net asset value as computed as of 4:00 p.m. eastern
time on each such date. All distributions will be reinvested in the Accumulation
Fund chosen and no part  thereof will be retained  in a separate account.  These
purchases will be made without a sales charge.
 
    The Transfer Agent of the Accumulation Fund will mail to each participant in
the  Accumulation  Plan  a  quarterly  statement  containing  a  record  of  all
transactions involving  purchases  of  Accumulation Fund  shares  (or  fractions
thereof)  with Trust  interest distributions or  as a result  of reinvestment of
Accumulation Fund  dividends. Any  distribution of  principal used  to  purchase
shares  of an  Accumulation Fund  will be  separately confirmed  by the Transfer
Agent. Unitholders will  also receive distribution  statements from the  Trustee
detailing the amounts transferred to their Accumulation Fund accounts.
 
    Participants  may at any time, by so notifying the Trustee in writing, elect
to change  the  Accumulation  Fund  into which  their  distributions  are  being
reinvested,  to change from principal only  reinvestment to reinvestment of both
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
principal and interest or vice versa, or to terminate their participation in the
Accumulation Plan altogether and receive future distributions on their Units  in
cash.  There will be no  charge or other penalty for  such change of election or
termination. The character of Trust  distributions for income tax purposes  will
remain unchanged even if they are reinvested in an Accumulation Fund.
 
INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPONSOR
 
Since  our founding  in 1898, Nuveen  has been synonymous  with investments that
withstand the  test  of time.  Today,  we offer  a  broad range  of  investments
designed  for mature investors whose portfolio  is the principal source of their
ongoing financial  security.  More than  1.3  million investors  have  entrusted
Nuveen to help them maintain the lifestyle they currently enjoy.
 
    A  value investing  approach--purchasing securities of  strong companies and
communities that represent good long-term value--is the cornerstone of  Nuveen's
investment  philosophy.  It is  a careful,  long-term  strategy that  offers the
potential for attractive returns with moderated risk. Successful value investing
begins with in-depth research and a discerning eye for marketplace  opportunity.
Nuveen's team of investment professionals is backed by the discipline, resources
and  expertise of a century of investment  experience, including one of the most
recognized research departments in the industry.
 
    To meet  the unique  circumstances and  financial planning  needs of  mature
investors,  Nuveen  offers  a  wide array  of  taxable  and  tax-free investment
products--including  equity  and   fixed-income  mutual   funds,  unit   trusts,
exchange-traded  funds, customized asset management services and cash management
products. Nuveen is a subsidiary of The  John Nuveen Company which, in turn,  is
approximately  78% owned by the St. Paul  Companies, Inc. ("ST. PAUL"). St. Paul
is located  in St.  Paul, Minnesota,  and is  principally engaged  in  providing
property-liability  insurance through  subsidiaries. Nuveen  is a  member of the
National Association of  Securities Dealers,  Inc. and  the Securities  Industry
Association  and has  its principal office  located in Chicago  (333 West Wacker
Drive). Nuveen maintains 8 regional offices.
 
    To help advisers and investors better understand and more efficiently use an
investment in  the Trusts  to  reach their  investment  goals, the  Sponsor  may
advertise and create specific investment programs and systems. For example, such
activities may include presenting information on how to use an investment in the
Trusts, alone or in combination with an investment in other mutual funds or unit
investment trusts sponsored by Nuveen, to accumulate assets for future education
needs  or periodic payments such as  insurance premiums. The Sponsor may produce
software or additional sales literature to  promote the advantages of using  the
Trusts to meet these and other specific investor needs.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS*
 
    STANDARD  & POOR'S CORPORATION.  A  description of the applicable Standard &
Poor's Corporation rating symbols and their meanings follows:
 
    A Standard & Poor's rating is  a current assessment of the  creditworthiness
of  an obligor with respect  to a specific debt  obligation. This assessment may
take into consideration obligors such as guarantors, insurers or lessees.
 
    The rating is  not a recommendation  to purchase, sell  or hold a  security,
inasmuch  as  it  does not  comment  as to  market  price or  suitability  for a
particular investor.
 
    The ratings are  based on  current information  furnished by  the issuer  or
obtained by Standard & Poor's from other sources it considers reliable. Standard
&  Poor's does not  perform an audit in  connection with any  rating and may, on
occasion, rely on unaudited financial  information. The ratings may be  changed,
suspended  or withdrawn as  a result of  changes in, or  unavailability of, such
information, or for other circumstances.
 
    The ratings are based, in varying degrees, on the following considerations:
 
     I.  Likelihood of default--capacity  and willingness of  the obligor as  to
         the timely payment of interest and repayment of principal in accordance
         with the terms of the obligation;
 
     II.  Nature of and provisions of the obligation;
 
    III.  Protection  afforded by, and  relative position of,  the obligation in
          the event of  bankruptcy, reorganization or  other arrangements  under
          the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors' rights.
 
    AAA--This  is the  highest rating  assigned by Standard  & Poor's  to a debt
obligation. Capacity to pay interest and repay principal is extremely strong.
 
    AA--Bonds rated AA  have a very  strong capacity to  pay interest and  repay
principal, and differ from the highest rated issues only in small degree.
 
    A--Bonds rated A have a strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal,
although they are somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in
circumstances and economic conditions than bonds in higher rated categories.
 
    BBB--Bonds  rated BBB  are regarded  as having  an adequate  capacity to pay
interest and repay principal. Whereas they normally exhibit adequate  protection
parameters,  adverse  economic  conditions or  changing  circumstances  are more
likely to lead to a  weakened capacity to pay  interest and repay principal  for
bonds in this category than for bonds in the higher rated categories.
 
    PLUS  (+) OR MINUS (-): The ratings from "AA" to "BB" may be modified by the
addition of a  plus or minus  sign to  show relative standing  within the  major
rating categories.
 
    PROVISIONAL   RATINGS:  The  letter   "p"  indicates  that   the  rating  is
provisional. A  provisional  rating assumes  the  successful completion  of  the
project  being financed by the  issuance of the bonds  being rated and indicates
that payment of debt service requirements is largely or entirely dependent  upon
the successful and timely completion of the project. This rating, however, while
addressing  credit quality  subsequent to  completion of  the project,  makes no
comment on the  likelihood of,  or the  risk of  default upon  failure of,  such
completion.  Accordingly,  the investor  should exercise  his own  judgment with
respect to such likelihood and risk.
 
    NOTE RATINGS:  A  Standard  &  Poor's note  rating  reflects  the  liquidity
concerns  and market access risks unique to notes.  Notes due in 3 years or less
will likely  receive a  note rating.  Notes maturing  beyond 3  years will  most
likely receive a long-term debt rating.
 
    Note rating symbols are as follows:
 
        SP-1  Very  strong  or strong  capacity to  pay principal  and interest.
              Those   issues   determined   to   possess   overwhelming   safety
              characteristics will be given a plus (+) designation.
 
        SP-2  Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest.
 
    MOODY'S  INVESTORS  SERVICE, INC.   A  brief  description of  the applicable
Moody's Investors Service, Inc. rating symbols and their meanings follows:
 
    Aaa--Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be the best quality. They carry
the smallest degree of  investment risk and are  generally referred to as  "gilt
edge."  Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable
margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely
to change, such changes  as can be  visualized are most  unlikely to impair  the
fundamentally  strong position of such issues. Their safety is so absolute that,
 
- ----------
*As published by the rating companies.
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
with the  occasional  exception  of  oversupply in  a  few  specific  instances,
characteristically,  their  market  value  is affected  solely  by  money market
fluctuations.
 
    Aa--Bonds which  are rated  Aa  are judged  to be  of  high quality  by  all
standards. Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally known as
high  grade bonds. They are  rated lower than the  best bonds because margins of
protection may  not  be  as  large  as in  Aaa  securities  or  fluctuations  of
protective  elements may be of greater amplitude  or there may be other elements
present which  make the  long-term  risks appear  somewhat  larger than  in  Aaa
securities.  Their  market value  is virtually  immune to  all but  money market
influences, with  the  occasional exception  of  oversupply in  a  few  specific
instances.
 
    A--Bonds  which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and
are to be considered as upper medium grade obligations. Factors giving  security
to  principal and interest are considered  adequate, but elements may be present
which suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future. The  market
value  of A-rated bonds may be influenced to some degree by economic performance
during a sustained period of depressed business conditions, but, during  periods
of  normalcy,  A-rated  bonds  frequently  move  in  parallel  with  Aaa  and Aa
obligations, with  the occasional  exception  of oversupply  in a  few  specific
instances.
 
    Moody's  bond rating  symbols may contain  numerical modifiers  of a generic
rating classification. The modifier 1 indicates that the bond ranks at the  high
end  of its  category; the  modifier 2  indicates a  mid-range ranking;  and the
modifier 3 indicates that the issue ranks in the lower end of its generic rating
category.
 
    Baa--Bonds which are rated Baa  are considered as medium grade  obligations,
i.e.,  they are neither  highly protected nor  poorly secured. Interest payments
and principal security appear  adequate for the  present but certain  protective
elements  may be lacking or may  be characteristically unreliable over any great
length of time. Such  bonds lack outstanding  investment characteristics and  in
fact  have speculative  characteristics as well.  The market  value of Baa-rated
bonds is more  sensitive to changes  in economic circumstances,  and aside  from
occasional  speculative factors applying to some bonds of this class, Baa market
valuations move in  parallel with Aaa,  Aa and A  obligations during periods  of
economic normalcy, except in instances of oversupply.
 
    Con.  (--)--Bonds for which the security depends upon the completion of some
act or the  fulfillment of  some condition  are rated  conditionally. These  are
bonds  secured by (a)  earnings of projects under  construction, (b) earnings of
projects unseasoned  in  operation  experience, (c)  rentals  which  begin  when
facilities are completed, or (d) payments to which some other limiting condition
attaches.  Parenthetical rating denotes probable  credit stature upon completion
of construction or elimination of basis of condition.
 
NOTE RATINGS:
 
    MIG 1  This designation  denotes  best  quality.  There  is  present  strong
           protection  by established cash flows,  superior liquidity support or
           demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.
 
    MIG 2  This designation  denotes high  quality.  Margins of  protection  are
           ample although not so large as in the preceding group.
 
    FITCH   IBCA,  INC.  (formerly  Fitch   Investors  Service,  L.P.)  A  brief
description of the applicable Fitch IBCA, Inc. rating symbols and their meanings
follow:
 
    AAA--Bonds considered  to be  investment  grade and  of the  highest  credit
quality.  The obligor  has an exceptionally  strong ability to  pay interest and
repay principal,  which is  unlikely to  be affected  by reasonably  foreseeable
events.
 
    AA--Bonds considered to be investment grade and of very high credit quality.
The  obligor's  ability to  pay  interest and  repay  principal is  very strong,
although not quite as strong as bonds rated  AAA. Bonds rated in the AAA and  AA
categories are not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable future developments.
 
    A--Bonds  considered to be investment grade  and of high credit quality. The
obligor's ability  to pay  interest  and repay  principal  is considered  to  be
strong, but may be more vulnerable to adverse changes in economic conditions and
circumstances than bonds with higher ratings.
 
    BBB--Bonds  considered  to be  investment grade  and of  satisfactory credit
quality. The obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal is considered
to be  adequate.  Adverse  changes in  economic  conditions  and  circumstances,
however,  are more likely to  have adverse impact on  these bonds, and therefore
impair timely payment. The likelihood that the
ratings of these bonds will fall below investment grade is higher than for bonds
with higher ratings.
 
    To provide more detailed  indications of credit quality,  the AA, A and  BBB
ratings may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative
standing within these major rating categories.
 
NOTE RATINGS:
 
    FIN-1  Notes  assigned  this rating  are  regarded as  having  the strongest
           degree of assurance for timely payment.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
    FIN-2  Notes assigned this rating reflect  a degree of assurance for  timely
           payment only slightly less in degree than the highest category.
 
HOW THE TRUST COMPARES PERFORMANCE
 
    The  Sponsor may compare the estimated returns of the Trust with the returns
or yields  of  other  tax-free  and taxable  investments,  often  on  a  taxable
equivalent  basis. In addition, the Sponsor from  time to time may quote various
performance measures  and studies  in order  to compare  the historical  returns
available  from an investment  in municipal securities  with investments in both
tax-free and taxable securities.
 
    Nuveen Research prepared one such  study which compared the after-tax  value
of  $100,000  initially  invested in  1977  in various  asset  classes including
municipal bonds, treasury bonds and corporate  bonds. As indicated in the  chart
provided  below,  the 20-year  study  shows that  municipal  bonds significantly
outperformed corporate  and  treasury  bonds  once the  effects  of  taxes  were
factored in. In fact, over the 20-year period, municipal bond returns in dollars
were almost double those of treasury bonds.
 
                 AFTER-TAX VALUE OF $100,000 INVESTED IN 1977*
 
   
    The  graph appearing  on this  page of  the Information  Supplement compares
after-tax total returns  of $100,000  initially in 1977  in each  of the  Lehman
Brothers MuniBond Index, Long-Term Treasury Index and Long-Term Corporate Index.
As  indicated in the graph,  such an investment in  the Lehman Brothers MuniBond
Index, Long-Term  Treasury  Index  and  Long-Term  Corporate  Index  would  have
appreciated  to $511,039,  $274,434, and  $298,682, respectively  at the  end of
1996. The  graph  assumes all  proceeds  of  investment are  reinvested  at  the
respective  index rates at the time of reinvestment and also assumes that 20% of
the assets in each category are turned over annually and proceeds are reinvested
in the respective indexes. The tax rates assumed to generate the after-tax total
returns were based upon the income  and capital gain rates applicable each  year
from  1977-1996 for an investor who earned the inflation-adjusted equivalents of
$500,000 in 1996. In addition, treasury returns were "grossed up" an assumed  5%
to  take into account the Treasuries' exemption from state income tax. The graph
is for  illustrative  purposes  only,  and does  not  represent  the  return  or
performance  of any Nuveen  Tax-Free Unit Trust  and is not  intended to predict
future results.
    
 
    * The  graph compares  after-tax  total returns  using the  Lehman  Brothers
MuniBond  Index,  Long-Term Treasury  Index and  Long-Term Corporate  Index. The
graph assumes all proceeds of investment are reinvested at the respective  index
rates  at the time  of reinvestment and also  assumes that 20%  of the assets in
each category  are turned  over  annually and  proceeds  are reinvested  in  the
respective  indexes.  The  tax rates  assumed  to generate  the  after-tax total
returns were based upon the income  and capital gain rates applicable each  year
from  1977-1996 for an investor who earned the inflation-adjusted equivalents of
$100,000 in 1996. In addition, treasury returns were "grossed up" an assumed  5%
to  take into account the Treasuries' exemption from state income tax. The graph
is for  illustrative  purposes  only,  and does  not  represent  the  return  or
performance  of any Nuveen  Tax-Free Unit Trust  and is not  intended to predict
future results.
 
    A comparison  of  the  estimated  returns of  the  Trust  and  the  historic
performance  of  municipal  bonds  to  the  returns  and  performance  of  other
investments is  one  element  to  consider  in  making  an  informed  investment
decision.  Taxable investments have investment  characteristics that differ from
those of the Trust.  U.S. Government bonds are  long-term investments backed  by
the  full faith  and credit of  the U.S.  Government and are  subject to federal
income tax  but are  exempt from  state  income taxes.  Bank CDs  are  generally
short-term  FDIC insured investments, which pay fixed principal and interest but
are subject to fluctuating rollover rates. Both bank CDs and corporate bonds are
generally subject to both federal and state income taxes. Money market funds are
short term  investments with  stable net  asset values,  fluctuating yields  and
special features that enhance liquidity.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
HOW TO CALCULATE YOUR ESTIMATED INCOME
 
    The examples provided below illustrate how to calculate the estimated annual
income  generated by a hypothetical $10,000 investment in each respective Trust.
The illustrations assume that the  investment was made on  the day prior to  the
date  of deposit by an investor electing  the monthly distribution plan and that
the portfolio  contains all  the securities  described in  the portfolio.  These
hypothetical  examples are  for illustrative purposes  only and  not intended to
reflect or predict the results of  any actual investment and do not  contemplate
changes to the portfolio or expenses.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                           <C>        <C>                           <C>        <C>
EXAMPLE OF HOW TO CALCULATE YOUR ESTIMATED INCOME:
 
    CONNECTICUT TRADITIONAL TRUST 292
 
    $10,000                    DIVIDED  BY $104.13                     =          96.033
    Investment                           Offering price and                       # of units purchased
    (as of 04/07/98)                     accrued interest
 
    96.033                    X          $4.7418                       =          $455.37
    # of units purchased                 Annual income per unit                   annual income
                                         (monthly plan)
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                           <C>        <C>                           <C>        <C>
EXAMPLE OF HOW TO CALCULATE YOUR ESTIMATED INCOME:
 
    NEW JERSEY INSURED TRUST 228
 
    $10,000                    DIVIDED  BY $101.08                     =          98.931
    Investment                           Offering price and                       # of units purchased
    (as of 04/07/98)                     accrued interest
 
    98.931                    X          $4.5512                       =          $450.25
    # of units purchased                 Annual income per unit                   annual income
                                         (monthly plan)
</TABLE>
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
                                   APPENDIX A
                             CONNECTICUT DISCLOSURE
 
ECONOMIC FACTORS--CONNECTICUT
 
    The  following information is only a summary of risk factors associated with
Connecticut. It has been compiled from official government statements and  other
publicly  available  documents.  Although the  Sponsors  have  not independently
verified the information, they have no reason to believe that it is not  correct
in all material respects.
 
   
    Manufacturing   has  historically  been  of  prime  economic  importance  to
Connecticut.  The   State's   manufacturing  industry   is   diversified,   with
transportation   equipment   (primarily   aircraft   engines,   helicopters  and
submarines)  the  dominant  industry,  followed  by  non-electrical   machinery,
fabricated  metal products and  electrical machinery. As  a result of  a rise in
employment  in  service-related  industries  and  a  decline  in   manufacturing
employment,  manufacturing accounted  for only 17.39%  of total non-agricultural
employment  in  Connecticut  in  1996.  Defense-related  business  represents  a
relatively  high proportion of the manufacturing  sector. On a per capita basis,
defense awards to Connecticut have traditionally  been among the highest in  the
nation, and reductions in defense spending have had a substantial adverse impact
on Connecticut's economy.
    
 
   
    The  average annual unemployment rate in Connecticut increased from a low of
3.0% in 1988 to a high of 7.6% in 1992 and, after a number of important  changes
in  the method  of calculation,  was reported  to be  5.8% in  1996. Average per
capita personal income  of Connecticut  residents increased in  every year  from
1987  to 1996, rising  from $21,592 to $33,875.  However, pockets of significant
unemployment and poverty exist in some Connecticut cities and towns.
    
 
   
    At the end of the 1990-1991 fiscal year, the General Fund had an accumulated
unappropriated deficit of $965,712,000. For the six fiscal years ended June  30,
1997,  the General Fund ran operating  surpluses, based on the State's budgetary
method of accounting, of approximately $110,200,000, $113,500,000,  $19,700,000,
$80,500,000,  $250,000,000, and $262,600,000, respectively. General Fund budgets
for the  biennium ending  June 30,  1999,  were adopted  in 1997.  General  Fund
expenditures  and revenues are  budgeted to be  approximately $9,550,000,000 and
$9,700,000,000 for  the  1997-98  and 1998-99  fiscal  years,  respectively,  an
increase  of  more  than 35%  from  the budgeted  expenditures  of approximately
$7,008,000,000 for the 1991-1992 fiscal year.
    
 
   
    During 1991  the State  issued  a total  of $965,710,000  Economic  Recovery
Notes,  of which $157,055,000 were outstanding as of December 1, 1997. The notes
were to be  payable no  later than  June 30,  1996, but  as part  of the  budget
adopted for the biennium ending June 30, 1997, payment of the notes scheduled to
be  paid during the 1995-96 fiscal year was rescheduled to be made over the four
fiscal years ending June 30, 1999.
    
 
   
    The State's primary  method for  financing capital projects  is through  the
sale  of general obligation bonds. These bonds  are backed by the full faith and
credit of the State.  As of December  1, 1997, the  State had authorized  direct
general   obligation  bond  indebtedness   totaling  $11,460,239,000,  of  which
$10,159,950,000 had been approved for issuance by the State Bond Commission  and
$9,181,272,000  had been  issued. As of  December 1, 1997,  State direct general
obligation indebtedness outstanding was $6,475,986,251.
    
 
   
    In 1995, the State established the  University of Connecticut as a  separate
corporate   entity  to   issue  bonds   and  construct   certain  infrastructure
improvements. The  University  is  authorized to  issue  $962,000,000  bonds  to
finance the improvements. The University's bonds will be secured by a State debt
service commitment, the aggregate amount of which is limited to $382 million for
the  four fiscal years ending June 30, 1999, and $580 million for the six fiscal
years ending June 30, 2005.
    
 
   
    In addition, the State has limited or contingent liability on a  significant
amount of other bonds. Such bonds have been issued by the following quasi-public
agencies: the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, the Connecticut Development
Authority,  the Connecticut  Higher Education  Supplemental Loan  Authority, the
Connecticut  Resources  Recovery  Authority  and  the  Connecticut  Health   and
Educational Facilities Authority. Such bonds have also been issued by the cities
of  Bridgeport and West Haven and  the Southeastern Connecticut Water Authority.
As of March  3, 1998, the  amount of bonds  outstanding on which  the State  has
limited or contingent liability totaled $4,000,900,000.
    
 
   
    In  1984, the State established a program to plan, construct and improve the
State's transportation system  (other than Bradley  International Airport).  The
total  cost of the program  through June 30, 2002,  is currently estimated to be
$12.3 billion, to be met from federal, state, and local funds. The State expects
to finance most of its $5.1 billion  share of such cost by issuing $4.6  billion
of  special tax obligation ("STO") bonds. The  STO bonds are payable solely from
specified motor fuel taxes, motor vehicle receipts, and license, permit and  fee
revenues pledged therefor and credited to the Special Transportation Fund, which
was established to budget and account for such revenues.
    
 
   
    As  of December 1, 1997, the  General Assembly had authorized $4,302,700,000
of such STO bonds, of which $3,894,700,000 new money borrowings had been issued.
It is  anticipated that  additional STO  bonds will  be authorized  annually  in
amounts  necessary to finance  and to complete  the infrastructure program. Such
additional bonds may have
    
 
                                      A-1
<PAGE>
equal rank with the outstanding bonds provided certain pledged revenue  coverage
requirements  are met.  The State  expects to continue  to offer  bonds for this
program.
 
    The State's general obligation bonds are  rated AA- by Standard & Poors  and
Aa3  by Moody's.  On March 17,  1995, Fitch  reduced its ratings  of the State's
general obligation bonds from AA+ to AA.
 
   
    The State,  its  officers  and  its employees  are  defendants  in  numerous
lawsuits.  Although  it  is  not  possible to  determine  the  outcome  of these
lawsuits, the Attorney General has opined that an adverse decision in any of the
following cases  might  have  a  significant impact  on  the  State's  financial
position:  (i)  a  class  action by  the  Connecticut  Criminal  Defense Lawyers
Association claiming a  campaign of  illegal surveillance  activity and  seeking
damages  and injunctive  relief; (ii)  an action on  behalf of  all persons with
traumatic brain injury who have been placed in certain State hospitals, claiming
that their constitutional rights  are violated by  placement in State  hospitals
alleged not to provide adequate treatment and training, and seeking placement in
community   residential  settings  with   appropriate  support  services;  (iii)
litigation involving claims by  Indian tribes to a  portion of the State's  land
area;  and (iv) an action in the name  of several public school students and the
Connecticut municipalities in which the  students reside, seeking a  declaratory
judgment  that the State's current system of financing public education violates
the Connecticut Constitution.
    
 
    As a result of litigation on behalf of black and Hispanic school children in
the City of Hartford seeking "integrated education" within the Greater  Hartford
metropolitan  area,  on  July 9,  1996,  the  State Supreme  Court  directed the
legislature to  develop appropriate  measures to  remedy the  racial and  ethnic
segregation  in the Hartford public schools.  The fiscal impact of this decision
might be significant but is not determinable at this time.
 
   
    General obligation bonds issued by municipalities are payable primarily from
ad valorem  taxes on  property  located in  the municipality.  A  municipality's
property  tax  base  is subject  to  many  factors outside  the  control  of the
municipality, including  the decline  in Connecticut's  manufacturing  industry.
Certain  Connecticut municipalities have  experienced severe fiscal difficulties
and have reported operating and accumulated deficits. The most notable of  these
is  the City of Bridgeport,  which filed a bankruptcy  petition on June 7, 1991.
The State  opposed the  petition. The  United States  Bankruptcy Court  for  the
District  of  Connecticut held  that  Bridgeport has  authority  to file  such a
petition but  that  its  petition  should  be  dismissed  on  the  grounds  that
Bridgeport  was not  insolvent when  the petition  was filed.  State legislation
enacted in 1993 prohibits municipal bankruptcy filings without the prior written
consent of the Governor.
    
 
   
    In addition to general obligation bonds backed by the full faith and  credit
of  the municipality, certain municipal  authorities finance projects by issuing
bonds that are not considered to be debts of the municipality. Such bonds may be
repaid only from revenues of the  financed project, the revenues from which  may
be insufficient to service the related debt obligations.
    
 
    Regional  economic  difficulties, reductions  in  revenues and  increases in
expenses could lead to further fiscal  problems for the State and its  political
subdivisions,  authorities and agencies. Difficulties in payment of debt service
on borrowings could result in declines,  possibly severe, in the value of  their
outstanding   obligations,  increases  in  their  future  borrowing  costs,  and
impairment of their ability to pay debt service on their obligations.
 
CONNECTICUT TAXABLE ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN TABLE
 
    The following tables show the approximate taxable estimated current  returns
for  individuals  that are  equivalent to  tax-exempt estimated  current returns
under combined Federal and  state taxes, using  published 1998 marginal  Federal
tax  rates and marginal state tax rates  currently available and scheduled to be
in  effect.  The  tables  incorporate  increased  tax  rates  for  higher-income
taxpayers  that were  included in  the Revenue  Reconciliation Act  of 1993. The
table assumes that Federal  taxable income is equal  to state income subject  to
tax  and that  Federal adjusted  gross income is  equal to  state adjusted gross
income, and for cases in which more  than one state rate falls within a  Federal
bracket,  the state rate corresponding to the highest income within that Federal
bracket is used. The combined state  and Federal tax brackets shown reflect  the
fact  that state tax payments are currently deductible for Federal tax purposes.
The tables do  not reflect  any local  taxes or  any taxes  other than  personal
income  taxes. The  tables illustrate  what you  would have  to earn  on taxable
investments to equal the tax-exempt estimated current return for your income tax
bracket. A taxpayer's marginal tax rate  is affected by both his taxable  income
and  his  adjusted gross  income. Locate  your adjusted  gross and  your taxable
income (which  is your  adjusted  gross income  reduced  by any  deductions  and
exemptions),  then locate your tax bracket based  on joint or single tax filing.
Read across to the equivalent taxable estimated current return you would need to
match the tax-free income.
 
                                      A-2
<PAGE>
 COMBINED MARGINAL TAX RATES FOR JOINT TAXPAYERS WITH FOUR PERSONAL EXEMPTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  FEDERAL
    FEDERAL      ADJUSTED      COMBINED
    TAXABLE        GROSS       STATE AND                    TAX-FREE ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN
    INCOME        INCOME        FEDERAL       --------------------------------------------------------------
  (1,000'S)1    (1,000'S)2     TAX RATE3      4.00%   4.25%   4.50%   4.75%   5.00%   5.25%   5.50%   5.75%
 ------------- -------------  -----------     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 <S>           <C>            <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 $     0-42.35 $     0-48.00      18.5   %     4.91    5.21    5.52    5.83    6.13    6.44    6.75    7.06
                 48.00-71.00      22.0         5.13    5.45    5.77    6.09    6.41    6.73    7.05    7.37
  42.35-102.30   48.00-71.00      34.0         6.06    6.44    6.82    7.20    7.58    7.95    8.33    8.71
                71.00-124.50      31.0         5.80    6.16    6.52    6.88    7.25    7.61    7.97    8.33
               124.50-186.80      32.0         5.88    6.25    6.62    6.99    7.35    7.72    8.09    8.46
 102.30-155.95  71.00-124.50      34.0         6.06    6.44    6.82    7.20    7.58    7.95    8.33    8.71
               124.50-186.80      35.0         6.15    6.54    6.92    7.31    7.69    8.08    8.46    8.85
               186.80-309.30      37.5         6.40    6.80    7.20    7.60    8.00    8.40    8.80    9.20
 155.95-278.45 124.50-186.80      40.0         6.67    7.08    7.50    7.92    8.33    8.75    9.17    9.58
               186.80-309.30      43.0         7.02    7.46    7.89    8.33    8.77    9.21    9.65   10.09
                 Over 309.30      40.0   4     6.67    7.08    7.50    7.92    8.33    8.75    9.17    9.58
   Over 278.45 186.80-309.30      46.5         7.48    7.94    8.41    8.88    9.35    9.81   10.28   10.75
                 Over 309.30      43.5   5     7.08    7.52    7.96    8.41    8.85    9.29    9.73   10.18
</TABLE>
 
 COMBINED MARGINAL TAX RATES FOR SINGLE TAXPAYERS WITH ONE PERSONAL EXEMPTION7
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  FEDERAL
    FEDERAL      ADJUSTED      COMBINED
    TAXABLE        GROSS       STATE AND                    TAX-FREE ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN
    INCOME        INCOME        FEDERAL       --------------------------------------------------------------
  (1,000'S)1    (1,000'S)2     TAX RATE3      4.00%   4.25%   4.50%   4.75%   5.00%   5.25%   5.50%   5.75%
 ------------- -------------  -----------     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 <S>           <C>            <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 $     0-25.35 $     0-24.00      18.5   %     4.91    5.21    5.52    5.83    6.13    6.44    6.75    7.06
                 24.00-35.00      22.0         5.13    5.45    5.77    6.09    6.41    6.73    7.05    7.37
   25.35-61.40   24.00-35.00      34.0         6.06    6.44    6.82    7.20    7.58    7.95    8.33    8.71
                35.00-124.50      31.0         5.80    6.16    6.52    6.88    7.25    7.61    7.97    8.33
  61.40-128.10  35.00-124.50      34.0         6.06    6.44    6.82    7.20    7.58    7.95    8.33    8.71
               124.50-247.50      35.5         6.20    6.59    6.98    7.36    7.75    8.14    8.53    8.91
 128.10-278.45 124.50-247.50      40.5         6.72    7.14    7.56    7.98    8.40    8.82    9.24    9.66
                 Over 247.50      40.0   4     6.67    7.08    7.50    7.92    8.33    8.75    9.17    9.58
   Over 278.45   Over 247.50      43.5   5     7.08    7.52    7.96    8.41    8.85    9.29    9.73   10.18
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------
 
       1 The  Connecticut Income  Tax is  based on  Connecticut taxable  income,
which is not tied to Federal taxable income. Connecticut taxable income is equal
to  Connecticut adjusted gross income ("CAGI")  (which is Federal adjusted gross
income with  certain  modifications)  minus  the  allowable  personal  exemption
($12,000  in the case of single  individuals; $24,000 for married persons filing
jointly).  The  Connecticut  Income  Tax  provides  for  a  personal   exemption
phase-out,  which essentially doubles the  effective marginal Connecticut Income
Tax rate for single taxpayers whose CAGI is between $24,000 and $35,001 at which
point the personal  exemption is  completely phased out.  For married  taxpayers
filing  a joint  return, the effective  marginal Connecticut Income  Tax rate is
doubled where CAGI is between $48,000  and $71,001, at which point the  personal
exemption  is  completely phased  out. In  addition, as  reflected in  the rates
shown, the  Connecticut  Income  Tax  provides for  a  tax  credit  (at  varying
percentages  depending on the  taxpayer's CAGI) against the  income tax which is
based on  CAGI  and,  in effect,  varies  the  income tax  rate  for  taxpayers.
Investors  should consult  their own  tax advisors  regarding the  effect of the
credit on marginal tax rates at specific CAGI levels.
 
       2 It is assumed that CAGI is equal to Federal adjusted gross income.  See
note  1 regarding  the impact  of CAGI on  the determination  of the Connecticut
Income Tax.
 
       3 The tables reflect the effect of limitations on itemized deductions and
the deduction for personal exemptions. These limitations were designed to  phase
out  certain  benefits of  such deductions  for  higher income  taxpayers. These
limitations, in effect, raise the current maximum marginal combined Federal  and
state  tax  rate to  approximately 46.72  percent for  taxpayers filing  a joint
return and  entitled to  four  personal exemptions  and to  approximately  43.45
percent  for  taxpayers filing  a single  return entitled  to only  one personal
exemption. These limitations are  subject to certain  maximums, which depend  on
the number of exemptions claimed and the total amount of the taxpayer's itemized
deductions.  For example, the limitation on itemized deductions will not cause a
taxpayer to  lose more  than  80% of  his  allowable itemized  deductions,  with
certain exceptions.
 
       4 Combined Federal and state tax rate reverts to 38.88% after the 80% cap
on the limitation on itemized deductions has been met.
 
       5 Combined Federal and state tax rate reverts to 42.32% after the 80% cap
on the limitation on itemized deductions has been met.
 
                                      A-3
<PAGE>
                                   APPENDIX B
                             NEW JERSEY DISCLOSURE
 
ECONOMIC FACTORS--NEW JERSEY
 
    As  described above, the New Jersey Insured Trust consists of a portfolio of
New Jersey Bonds. The Trust is  therefore susceptible to political, economic  or
regulatory  factors affecting  issuers of  the New  Jersey Bonds.  The following
information provides  only  a brief  summary  of  some of  the  complex  factors
affecting  the financial  situation in New  Jersey (the "State")  and is derived
from sources that  are generally available  to investors and  is believed to  be
accurate.  It is based  in part on  information obtained from  various State and
local agencies in New Jersey. No  independent verification has been made of  any
of the following information.
 
    New  Jersey is the ninth largest state  in population and the fifth smallest
in land area. With an  average of 1,071 people per  square mile, it is the  most
densely  populated of all the states.  The State's economic base is diversified,
consisting of a variety of  manufacturing, construction and service  industries,
supplemented by rural areas with selective commercial agriculture. Historically,
New Jersey's average per capita income has been well above the national average,
and  in 1995  the State ranked  second among  the states in  per capita personal
income ($29,248).
 
    The New Jersey Economic  Policy Council, a statutory  arm of the New  Jersey
Department  of Commerce  and Economic  Development, has  reported in  NEW JERSEY
ECONOMIC INDICATORS,  a monthly  publication  of the  New Jersey  Department  of
Labor,  Division of Labor Market and Demographic Research, that in 1988 and 1989
employment in  New Jersey's  manufacturing  sector failed  to benefit  from  the
export  boom experienced by many Midwest states and the State's service sectors,
which had  fueled the  State's  prosperity since  1982,  lost momentum.  In  the
meantime,  the prolonged fast growth in the State in the mid 1980s resulted in a
tight labor market situation, which has led to relatively high wages and housing
prices. This  means  that,  while  the  incomes  of  New  Jersey  residents  are
relatively  high,  the State's  business sector  has  become more  vulnerable to
competitive pressures.
 
    The onset of  the national recession  (which officially began  in July  1990
according to the National Bureau of Economic Research) caused an acceleration of
New  Jersey's job  losses in  construction and  manufacturing. In  addition, the
national recession  caused an  employment downturn  in such  previously  growing
sectors  as wholesale trade,  retail trade, finance,  utilities and trucking and
warehousing. Reflecting the downturn, the rate of unemployment in the State rose
from a low  of 3.6% during  the first quarter  of 1989 to  an estimated 4.9%  in
December  1997, which is  higher than the  national average of  4.6% in December
1997. Economic recovery  is likely to  be slow  and uneven in  New Jersey,  with
unemployment  receding at a correspondingly slow pace, due to the fact that some
sectors may lag due to continued excess capacity. In addition, employers even in
rebounding sectors can be  expected to remain cautious  about hiring until  they
become  convinced that improved business will  be sustained. Also, certain firms
will continue to merge or downsize to increase profitability.
 
    DEBT SERVICE. The primary method for State financing of capital projects  is
through  the sale of the general obligation  bonds of the State. These bonds are
backed by the full faith and credit of the State tax revenues and certain  other
fees  are pledged to meet  the principal and interest  payments and if provided,
redemption premium payments, if any, required to repay the bonds. As of June 30,
1996, there was  a total  authorized bond indebtedness  of approximately  $10.31
billion,  of which $3.69  billion was issued and  outstanding, $4.76 billion was
retired (including bonds for which provision  for payment has been made  through
the  sale and issuance of  refunding bonds) and $1.86  billion was unissued. The
appropriation for the debt service  obligation on such outstanding  indebtedness
is $446.9 million for Fiscal Year 1997.
 
    NEW JERSEY'S BUDGET AND APPROPRIATION SYSTEM. The State operates on a fiscal
year  beginning July 1 and ending June 30. At the end of Fiscal Year 1993, there
was a  surplus in  the  State's general  fund (the  fund  into which  all  State
revenues  not  otherwise  restricted by  statute  are deposited  and  from which
appropriations are made)  of $937.4  million. At the  end of  Fiscal Year  1994,
there  was a surplus in the general fund of $926.0 million. At the end of Fiscal
Year 1995, there  was a surplus  in the general  fund of $569.2  million. It  is
estimated  that New Jersey  closed its Fiscal  Year 1996 with  a surplus of $442
million and Fiscal Year 1997 with a surplus of $276.2 million.
 
    In order  to  provide additional  revenues  to balance  future  budgets,  to
redistribute  school aid and to  contain real property taxes,  on June 27, 1990,
and July  12,  1990, Governor  Florio  signed  into law  legislation  which  was
estimated to raise approximately $2.8 billion in additional taxes (consisting of
$1.5  billion in  sales and  use taxes  and $1.3  billion in  income taxes), the
biggest tax hike in New Jersey history. There can be no assurance that  receipts
and collections of such taxes will meet such estimates.
 
    The  first  part of  the tax  hike took  effect  on July  1, 1990,  with the
increase in the State's sales and use tax rate from 6% to 7% and the elimination
of exemptions for certain  products and services not  previously subject to  the
tax,  such as telephone calls, paper products (which has since been reinstated),
soaps and detergents, janitorial  services, alcoholic beverages and  cigarettes.
At  the  time  of enactment,  it  was  projected that  these  taxes  would raise
approximately $1.5
 
                                      B-1
<PAGE>
billion in additional revenue. Projections and estimates of receipts from  sales
and use taxes, however, have been subject to variance in recent fiscal years.
 
    The  second part of the tax hike took effect on January 1, 1991, in the form
of an increased state income  tax on individuals. At  the time of enactment,  it
was  projected  that this  increase would  raise  approximately $1.3  billion in
additional income taxes to fund a new school aid formula, a new homestead rebate
program and state assumption of  welfare and social services costs.  Projections
and  estimates of receipts from income taxes, however, have also been subject to
variance in  recent  fiscal  years.  Under the  legislation,  income  tax  rates
increased  from their previous range of  2% to 3.5% to a  new range of 2% to 7%,
with the higher rates applying to married couples with incomes exceeding $70,000
who file joint returns, and to individuals filing single returns with incomes of
more than $35,000.
 
    The Florio administration  had contended  that the income  tax package  will
help  reduce  local  property  tax  increases by  providing  more  state  aid to
municipalities.  Under  the  income  tax  legislation  the  State  will   assume
approximately $289 million in social services costs that previously were paid by
counties and municipalities and funded by property taxes. In addition, under the
new formula for funding school aid, an extra $1.1 billion is proposed to be sent
by  the State to school districts beginning  in 1991, thus reducing the need for
property tax increases to support education programs.
 
    Effective July 1, 1992, the State's sales and use tax rate decreased from 7%
to 6%. Effective January 1, 1994, an across-the-board 5% reduction in the income
tax rates was enacted and effective January 1, 1995, further reductions  ranging
from  1% up to  10% in income  tax rates took  effect. Governor Whitman recently
signed into  law further  reductions  up to  15%  for some  taxpayers  effective
January 1, 1996, completing her campaign promise to reduce income taxes by up to
30% within three years for most taxpayers.
 
    In  June 1997,  Governor Whitman signed  the New  Jersey Legislature's $16.8
billion budget for Fiscal  Year 1998. The balanced  budget, which includes  $442
million in surplus, is $800 million more than the 1997 budget. Whether the State
can  achieve a  balanced budget  depends on its  ability to  enact and implement
expenditure reductions and to collect estimated tax revenues.
 
    LITIGATION. The State is a party in numerous legal proceedings pertaining to
matters incidental to the performance  of routine governmental operations.  Such
litigation  includes, but is  not limited to, claims  asserted against the State
arising  from  alleged  torts,  alleged  breaches  of  contracts,   condemnation
proceedings  and other alleged violations of State and Federal laws. Included in
the State's  outstanding litigation  are cases  challenging the  following:  the
funding  of teachers' pension  funds; the hospital  assessment authorized by the
Health Care Reform Act of 1992; the  State's role in a consent order  concerning
the  construction of a resource facility  in Passaic County; the State's actions
regarding alleged  chromium  contamination  of State-owned  property  in  Hudson
County;  the  constitutionality  of  annual  A-901  hazardous  and  solid  waste
licensure renewal fees collected by  the Department of Environmental  Protection
and  Energy; the State's funding formula that attempts to close the spending gap
between poor urban school districts and  wealthy suburban districts; the use  by
the  State  of assessments  on certain  insurers  to retire  debt of  the Market
Transition Fund, the  manner in  which mental  health services  are provided  to
inmates  with serious mental disorders who are confined within the facilities of
the Department  of Corrections;  the spousal  impoverishment provisions  of  the
Medicare  Catastrophic  Coverage  Act;  Medicaid  hospital  reimbursements since
February, 1995; and the efforts to  revitalize Atlantic City through the  design
and  construction of a highway and tunnel.  Adverse judgments in these and other
matters could have the potential for either  a significant loss of revenue or  a
significant unanticipated expenditure by the State.
 
    At  any given time,  there are various  numbers of claims  and cases pending
against the State,  State agencies  and employees seeking  recovery of  monetary
damages  that are  primarily paid out  of the  fund created pursuant  to the New
Jersey Tort  Claims Act.  In addition,  at  any given  time, there  are  various
numbers of contract claims against the State and State agencies seeking recovery
of  monetary damages.  The State  is unable to  estimate its  exposure for these
claims.
 
    DEBT RATINGS. For many years prior to 1991, both Moody's Investors  Service,
Inc. and Standard and Poor's Corporation had rated New Jersey general obligation
bonds  "Aaa" and  "AAA," respectively.  On July  3, 1991,  however, Standard and
Poor's Corporation downgraded New Jersey  general obligation bonds to "AA+."  On
June  4,  1992,  Standard  and  Poor's  Corporation  placed  New  Jersey general
obligation bonds  on  CreditWatch  with negative  implications,  citing  as  its
principal reason for its caution the unexpected denial by the Federal Government
of  New Jersey's request  for $450 million in  retroactive Medicaid payments for
psychiatric hospitals. These funds were critical to closing a $1 billion gap  in
the  State's $15  billion budget for  fiscal year  1992 which ended  on June 30,
1992. Under New Jersey state law, the  gap in the current budget must be  closed
before  the  new  budget  year  began  on  July  1,  1992.  Standard  and Poor's
Corporation suggested the State  could close fiscal 1992's  budget gap and  help
fill  fiscal 1993's hole by a reversion of $700 million of pension contributions
to its general fund under a proposal to change the way the State calculates  its
pension  liability. On July 6, 1992,  Standard and Poor's Corporation reaffirmed
its "AA+" rating for  New Jersey general obligation  bonds and removed the  debt
from  its  CreditWatch  list, although  it  stated that  New  Jersey's long-term
financial outlook was  negative. Standard and  Poor's Corporation was  concerned
that the State was entering the 1993 fiscal year that began July 1, 1992, with a
slim  $26 million surplus and remained concerned about whether the sagging State
economy would recover quickly
 
                                      B-2
<PAGE>
enough to meet lawmakers' revenue projections. It also remained concerned  about
the  recent  federal ruling  leaving  in doubt  how much  the  State was  due in
retroactive Medicaid reimbursements  and a  ruling by  a federal  judge, now  on
appeal,  of  the  State's method  for  paying for  uninsured  hospital patients.
However, on  July 27,  1994, S&P  announced  that it  was changing  the  State's
outlook from negative to stable due to a brightening of the State's prospects as
a  result of Governor Whitman's  effort to trim spending  and cut taxes, coupled
with an improving economy. S&P reaffirmed its "AA+" rating at the same time.
 
    On August 24, 1992,  Moody's Investors Service,  Inc. downgraded New  Jersey
general  obligation  bonds  to "Aa1",  stating  that the  reduction  reflected a
developing pattern of  reliance on  nonrecurring measures  to achieve  budgetary
balance,  four years  of financial operations  marked by  revenue shortfalls and
operating deficits, and  the likelihood that  serious financial pressures  would
persist.  On August 5, 1994, Moody's reaffirmed  its "Aa1" rating, citing on the
positive side New Jersey's broad-based  economy, high income levels, history  of
maintaining  a  positive financial  position and  moderate (albeit  rising) debt
ratios, and, on the negative side, a continued reliance on one-time revenues and
a dependence on pension-related savings to achieve budgetary balance.
 
NEW JERSEY TAXABLE ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN TABLE
 
   
    The following tables show the approximate taxable estimated current  returns
for  individuals  that are  equivalent to  tax-exempt estimated  current returns
under combined Federal and  state taxes, using  published 1998 marginal  Federal
tax  rates and marginal state tax rates  currently available and scheduled to be
in  effect.  The  tables  incorporate  increased  tax  rates  for  higher-income
taxpayers  that were  included in  the Revenue  Reconciliation Act  of 1993. The
table assumes that federal  taxable income is equal  to state income subject  to
tax,  and for  cases in which  more than one  state rate falls  within a Federal
bracket, the state rate corresponding to the highest income within that  Federal
bracket  is used. The combined state and  Federal tax brackets shown reflect the
fact that state tax payments are currently deductible for Federal tax  purposes.
The  tables do  not reflect  any local  taxes or  any taxes  other than personal
income taxes.  The tables  illustrate what  you would  have to  earn on  taxable
investments to equal the tax-exempt estimated current return for your income tax
bracket.  A taxpayer's marginal tax rate is  affected by both his taxable income
and his  adjusted gross  income. Locate  your adjusted  gross and  your  taxable
income  (which  is your  adjusted  gross income  reduced  by any  deductions and
exemptions), then locate your tax bracket  based on joint or single tax  filing.
Read across to the equivalent taxable estimated current return you would need to
match the tax-free income.
    
 
                                      B-3
<PAGE>
 COMBINED MARGINAL TAX RATES FOR JOINT TAXPAYERS WITH FOUR PERSONAL EXEMPTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  FEDERAL
    FEDERAL      ADJUSTED      COMBINED
    TAXABLE        GROSS       STATE AND                    TAX-FREE ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN
    INCOME        INCOME        FEDERAL       --------------------------------------------------------------
   (1,000'S)     (1,000'S)     TAX RATE1      4.25%   4.50%   4.75%   5.00%   5.25%   5.50%   5.75%   6.00%
 ------------- -------------  -----------     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 <S>           <C>            <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 $     0-42.35 $    0-124.50      16.5   %     5.09    5.39    5.69    5.99    6.29    6.59    6.89    7.19
  42.35-102.30      0-124.50      32.0         6.25    6.62    6.99    7.35    7.72    8.09    8.46    8.82
               124.50-186.80      33.0         6.34    6.72    7.09    7.46    7.84    8.21    8.58    8.96
 102.30-155.95      0-124.50      35.5         6.59    6.98    7.36    7.75    8.14    8.53    8.91    9.30
               124.50-186.80      36.5         6.69    7.09    7.48    7.87    8.27    8.66    9.06    9.45
               186.80-309.30      39.0         6.97    7.38    7.79    8.20    8.61    9.02    9.43    9.84
 155.95-278.45 124.50-186.80      41.0         7.20    7.63    8.05    8.47    8.90    9.32    9.75   10.17
               186.80-309.30      44.0         7.59    8.04    8.48    8.93    9.38    9.82   10.27   10.71
                 Over 309.30      41.0   2     7.20    7.63    8.05    8.47    8.90    9.32    9.75   10.17
   Over 278.45 186.80-309.30      48.0         8.17    8.65    9.13    9.62   10.10   10.58   11.06   11.54
                 Over 309.30      44.5   3     7.66    8.11    8.56    9.01    9.46    9.91   10.36   10.81
</TABLE>
    
 
  COMBINED MARGINAL TAX RATES FOR SINGLE TAXPAYERS WITH ONE PERSONAL EXEMPTION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  FEDERAL
    FEDERAL      ADJUSTED      COMBINED
    TAXABLE        GROSS       STATE AND                    TAX-FREE ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN
    INCOME        INCOME        FEDERAL       --------------------------------------------------------------
   (1,000'S)     (1,000'S)     TAX RATE1      4.25%   4.50%   4.75%   5.00%   5.25%   5.50%   5.75%   6.00%
 ------------- -------------  -----------     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 <S>           <C>            <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 $     0-25.35 $    0-124.50      16.5   %     5.09    5.39    5.69    5.99    6.29    6.59    6.89    7.19
   25.35-61.40      0-124.50      32.0         6.25    6.62    6.99    7.35    7.72    8.09    8.46    8.82
  61.40-128.10      0-124.50      35.5         6.59    6.98    7.36    7.75    8.14    8.53    8.91    9.30
                124.50-247.0      37.0         6.75    7.14    7.54    7.94    8.33    8.73    9.13    9.52
 128.10-278.45  124.50-247.0      42.0         7.33    7.76    8.19    8.62    9.05    9.48    9.91   10.34
                  Over 247.0      41.0   2     7.20    7.63    8.05    8.47    8.90    9.32    9.75   10.17
   Over 278.45    Over 247.0      44.5   3     7.66    8.11    8.56    9.01    9.46    9.91   10.36   10.81
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------
 
   
       1 The table reflects the effect of the limitations on itemized deductions
and  the  deduction for  personal exemptions.  They were  designed to  phase out
certain  benefits  of  these  deductions  for  higher  income  taxpayers.  These
limitations,  in effect, raise the current maximum marginal combined Federal and
state tax  rate to  approximately 47.76  percent for  taxpayers filing  a  joint
return  and  entitled to  four personal  exemptions  and to  approximately 44.56
percent for  taxpayers filing  a single  return entitled  to only  one  personal
exemption.  These limitations are  subject to certain  maximums, which depend on
the number of exemptions claimed and the total amount of the taxpayer's itemized
deductions. For example, the limitation on itemized deductions will not cause  a
taxpayer  to  lose more  than  80% of  his  allowable itemized  deductions, with
certain exceptions.
    
 
       2 Combined Federal and state tax rate reverts to 40.08% after the 80% cap
on the limitation on itemized deductions has been met.
 
       3 Combined Federal and state tax rate reverts to 43.45% after the 80% cap
on the limitation on itemized deductions has been met.
 
                                      B-4
<PAGE>
STATEMENT OF DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ELECTRONIC FILING AND PRINTED DOCUMENT.
 
   Pursuant  to Rule  499(c) (7)  under the  Securities Act  of 1933, Registrant
hereby identifies  those  differences  in the  foregoing  document  between  the
electronic  format in which it is filed and the printed form in which it will be
circulated:
 
   (1)  The printed and distributed prospectus may be paged differently  because
the  printed document may contain a different amount of information on each page
from that contained in the electronic transmission.
 
   (2)  In  the printed  document, footnote symbols  may include  a "dagger"  or
multiple  "dagger". The  "dagger" symbol is  represented as #  in the electronic
document.
 
   (3)  The printed and distributed prospectus will not contain the  preliminary
prospectus legend included at the beginning of the first prospectus page.
<PAGE>
                       CONTENTS OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT
 
A.  BONDING ARRANGEMENTS OF DEPOSITOR:
 
   The  Depositor has obtained the following  Stockbrokers Blanket Bonds for its
officers, directors and employees:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                       <C>
    INSURER/POLICY NO.                                                      AMOUNT
    Reliance Insurance Company                                            $26,000,000
    B 262 6895
</TABLE>
 
B.  THIS AMENDMENT OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT COMPRISES THE FOLLOWING PAPERS AND
DOCUMENTS:
 
                                The facing sheet
 
                           The cross-reference sheet
 
                                 The Prospectus
 
                                 The signatures
 
                         Consents of Independent Public
                      Accountants and Counsel as indicated
 
                         Exhibits as listed on page S-5
 
C.  EXPLANATORY NOTE:
 
   This Amendment  No. 1  to  the Registration  Statement may  contain  multiple
separate  prospectuses.  Each  prospectus  will  relate  to  an  individual unit
investment trust and  will consist  of a  Part A, a  Part B  and an  Information
Supplement.  Each  prospectus  will  be  identical  with  the  exception  of the
respective Part A which will contain the financial information specific to  such
underlying unit investment trust.
 
D.  UNDERTAKINGS:
 
   1.   With  the exception  of the information  included in  the state specific
appendices to the  Information Supplement,  which will vary  depending upon  the
make-up  of a  Fund or  updated to  reflect current  events, any  amendment to a
Fund's Information Supplement will be subject to the review of the staff of  the
Securities and Exchange Commission prior to distribution; and
 
   2.   The  Information Supplement  to the Trust  will not  include third party
financial information.
 
                                      S-1
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES
 
   The Registrant, Nuveen  Tax-Free Unit  Trusts, Series  993 hereby  identifies
Series  401, 507, 512, 515, 517, 519, 723,  814 and 823 of the Nuveen Tax-Exempt
Unit Trust (the former name of the  Nuveen Tax-Free Unit Trust) for purposes  of
the representations required by Rule 487 and represents the following:
 
   (1)    that  the portfolio  securities  deposited  in the  series  as  to the
securities of which  this Registration Statement  is being filed  do not  differ
materially in type or quality from those deposited in such previous series;
 
   (2)   that, except to the extent necessary to identify the specific portfolio
securities deposited in, and to provide essential financial information for, the
series with respect to  the securities of which  this Registration Statement  is
being  filed,  this Registration  Statement  does not  contain  disclosures that
differ in  any  material  respect  from  those  contained  in  the  registration
statements  for  such  previous  series  as  to  which  the  effective  date was
determined by the Commission or the staff; and
 
   (3)  that it has complied with Rule 460 under the Securities Act of 1933.
 
   
   Pursuant to the requirements of the  Securities Act of 1933, the  Registrant,
Nuveen  Tax-Free  Unit Trusts,  Series  993 has  duly  caused this  Amendment of
Registration Statement to be signed on  its behalf by the undersigned  thereunto
duly authorized in the City of Chicago and State of Illinois on April 8, 1998.
    
 
                                          NUVEEN TAX-FREE UNIT TRUST, SERIES 993
                                                             (Registrant)
 
                                          By JOHN NUVEEN & CO. INCORPORATED
                                                             (Depositor)
 
                                          By:  H. William Stabenow
                                          --------------------------------------
                                                             Vice President
 
                                          Attest:  Karen L. Healy
                                          --------------------------------------
                                                             Assistant Secretary
 
                                      S-2
<PAGE>
   Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment of
Registration  Statement has  been signed below  by the following  persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          SIGNATURE                        TITLE*                 DATE
<S>                            <C>                              <C>        <C>
Timothy T. Schwertfeger        Chairman, Board of Directors         )
                               Chief Executive Officer and          )
                               Director                             )
                                                                    )
Anthony T. Dean                President, Chief Operating           )
                               Officer and Director                 )           Larry Woods Martin
                                                                    )           Attorney-In-Fact**
                                                                    )
John P. Amboian                Chief Financial Officer and          )              April 8, 1998
                               Executive Vice President             )
                                                                    )
                                                                    )
O. Walter Renfftlen            Vice President and Controller        )
                               (Principal Accounting Officer)       )
                                                                    )
                                                                    )
</TABLE>
    
 
- --------------
 
* The  titles  of the  persons  named herein  represent  their capacity  in  and
relationship to John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated, the Depositor.
 
**  The powers of attorney were filed on Form SE for Messrs. Renfftlen, Dean and
Schwertfeger with the  Amendment to the  Registration Statement on  Form S-6  of
Nuveen  Tax-Free  Unit  Trust, Series  671  (File  No. 33-49175).  The  Power of
Attorney for Messr.  Amboian was filed  with the Amendment  to the  Registration
statement  on  Form S-6  of Nuveen  Tax-Free  Unit Trust,  Series 823  (File No.
33-62325).
 
                                      S-3
<PAGE>
                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
    The consent of Arthur Andersen LLP to the use of its name in the  Prospectus
included in the Registration Statement is filed by this amendment as Exhibit 4.4
to the Registration Statement.
 
                         CONSENT OF CHAPMAN AND CUTLER
 
    The  consent of Chapman and Cutler to the  use of its name in the Prospectus
included in the  Registration Statement is  contained in its  opinions filed  by
this amendment as Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2 to the Registration Statement.
 
                            CONSENT OF STATE COUNSEL
 
    The consents of special counsel to the Fund for state tax matters to the use
of  their names  in the  Prospectus included  in the  Registration Statement are
contained in  their opinions  filed by  this  amendment as  Exhibit 3.3  to  the
Registration Statement.
 
                         CONSENT OF STANDARD & POOR'S,
                    A DIVISION OF THE MCGRAW-HILL COMPANIES
 
    The  consent of Standard & Poor's,  a Division of The McGraw-Hill Companies,
to the use of its name in the Prospectus included in the Registration  Statement
is filed by this amendment as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement.
 
                    CONSENT OF KENNY S&P EVALUATION SERVICES
 
    The  consent of Kenny S&P Evaluation Services to  the use of its name in the
Prospectus included in the Registration Statement is filed by this amendment  as
Exhibit 4.2 to the Registration Statement.
 
                      CONSENT OF CARTER, LEDYARD & MILBURN
 
    The  consent of  Carter, Ledyard  & Milburn to  the use  of its  name in the
Prospectus included in the Registration Statement is filed by this amendment  as
Exhibit 4.3 to the Registration Statement.
 
                                      S-4
<PAGE>
                                LIST OF EXHIBITS
 
<TABLE>
<S>         <C>
1.1(a)      Copy  of Standard Terms and Conditions of Trust between John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated,
            Depositor, and The Chase Manhattan  Bank, Trustee (as Exibit  1.1 (a) to the  Sponsor's
            Registration  Statement  on Form  S-6  relating to  Series 823  of  the Fund  (file No.
            33-62325) and incorporated herein by reference).
1.1(b)      Trust Indenture and Agreement.
2.1         Copy of  Certificate  of  Ownership (Included  in  Exhibit  1.1(a) on  pages  2  to  8,
            inclusive, and incorporated herein by reference).
3.1         Opinion of counsel as to legality of securities being registered.
3.2         Opinion of counsel as to Federal income tax status of securities being registered.
3.3         Opinions  of special state counsel to  the Fund for state tax  matters as to income tax
            status to residents of the respective states of the units of the respective trusts  and
            consents to the use of their names in the Prospectus.
4.1         Consent of Standard & Poor's, a Division of The McGraw-Hill Companies.
4.2         Consent of Kenny S&P Evaluation Services.
4.3         Consent of Carter, Ledyard & Milburn.
4.4         Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP
6.1         List of Directors and Officers of Depositor and other related information (incorporated
            by  reference to Form S-6 [File  No. 33-62325] filed on September  7, 1995 on behalf of
            Nuveen Tax-Free Unit Trust, Series 823).
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-5

<PAGE>
   
EXHIBIT 1.1(B)
NUVEEN TAX-FREE UNIT TRUST, SERIES 993
TRUST INDENTURE AND AGREEMENT
DATED APRIL 8, 1998
    
 
   This  Trust  Indenture  and  Agreement  by  and  between  John  Nuveen  & Co.
Incorporated, as Depositor and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Trustee, sets  forth
certain provisions in full and incorporates other provisions by reference to the
document  entitled "Standard Terms  and Conditions of  Trust for Nuveen Tax-Free
Unit Trust,  Series 823  and  subsequent Series,  effective September  7,  1995"
(herein  called  the  "Standard  Terms  and  Conditions  of  Trust"),  and  such
provisions as are set forth in full  and such provisions as are incorporated  by
reference  constitute a single instrument. All references herein to Articles and
Sections are to Articles  and Sections of the  Standard Terms and Conditions  of
Trust.
 
                                WITNESSETH THAT:
 
   In  consideration  of  the  promises  and  of  the  mutual  agreements herein
contained, the Depositor and the Trustee, agree as follows:
 
                                     PART I
 
                     STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF TRUST
 
   Subject to the Provisions of Part II hereof, all the provisions contained  in
the  Standard Terms and Conditions of Trust are herein incorporated by reference
in their entirety and shall be deemed to  be a part of this instrument as  fully
and  to the same extent as though said  provisions had been set forth in full in
this instrument.
 
                                    PART II
 
                     SPECIAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF TRUST
 
   The following special terms and conditions are hereby agreed to:
 
   (a)  The Bonds defined  in Section 1.01(1) listed  in Schedule A hereto  have
been deposited in trust under this Trust Indenture and Agreement.
 
   (b)   The fractional  undivided interest in  and ownership of  the Trust Fund
represented by each  Unit for  a Trust  on the Initial  Date of  Deposit is  the
amount  set  forth  under  the  captions  "Essential  Information  -- Fractional
Undivided Interest in the Trust per Unit" in the Prospectus.
 
   (c)  The  number of  Units created  of a  Trust are  as set  forth under  the
caption  "Essential Information --  Number of Units" in  the Prospectus for each
Trust.
 
   (d)   Notwithstanding anything  to the  contrary in  the Standard  Terms  and
Conditions  of Trust, the phrase "Nuveen  Tax-Exempt Unit Trust" shall be hereby
replaced with the phrase "Nuveen Tax-Free Unit Trust."
<PAGE>
   In Witness Whereof,  John Nuveen &  Co. Incorporated, has  caused this  Trust
Indenture  and  Agreement for  Nuveen  Tax-Free Unit  Trusts,  Series 993  to be
executed by its President, one  of its Vice Presidents  or one of its  Assistant
Vice  Presidents and its corporate seal to be hereto affixed and attested by its
Secretary or its  Assistant Secretary and  The Chase Manhattan  Bank has  caused
this  Trust Indenture and Agreement to be executed by one of its Vice Presidents
or Second  Vice Presidents  and its  corporate  seal to  be hereto  affixed  and
attested  to by one  of its Assistant Treasurers;  all as of  the day, month and
year first above written.
 
John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated,
Depositor
By Anna Kucinskis
Authorized Officer
(Seal)
Attest:
By Karen L. Healy
                   Assistant Secretary
 
The Chase Manhattan Bank, Trustee
By Timothy Kelley
Second Vice President
(Seal)
Attest:
By Joseph Lyons
                   Assistant Treasurer
 
                SCHEDULE A TO THE TRUST INDENTURE AND AGREEMENT
                         SECURITIES INITIALLY DEPOSITED
                                       IN
                    NUVEEN TAX-FREE UNIT TRUSTS, SERIES 993
 
(Note:  Incorporated herein and made a part hereof is the "Schedule of
Investments" as set forth for each Trust in the Prospectus.)

<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 3.1
 
(ON CHAPMAN AND CUTLER LETTERHEAD)
 
   
April 8, 1998
    
 
John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated
333 W. Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
 
RE:  NUVEEN TAX-FREE UNIT TRUST, SERIES 993
 
Gentlemen:
 
   We  have served  as counsel  for you,  as depositor  of Nuveen  Tax-Free Unit
Trusts, Series 993 (hereinafter referred to  as the "Fund"), in connection  with
the  issuance  under the  Trust Indenture  and Agreement  dated the  date hereof
between John Nuveen &  Co. Incorporated, as Depositor,  and The Chase  Manhattan
Bank,  as Trustee, of Units of fractional  undivided interest in the one or more
Trusts of said Fund (hereinafter referred to as the "Units").
 
   In  connection  therewith,  we  have  examined  such  pertinent  records  and
documents  and matters of law as we have  deemed necessary in order to enable us
to express the opinions hereinafter set forth.
 
   Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:
 
   1.  The execution and delivery of  the Trust Indenture and Agreement and  the
establishment  of  book  entry  positions  and  the  execution  and  issuance of
certificates evidencing  the Units  in the  Trusts of  the Fund  have been  duly
authorized; and
 
   2.   The book  entry positions and  certificates evidencing the  Units in the
Trusts of the Fund when duly established  or duly executed and delivered by  the
Depositor  and the Trustee in accordance with the aforementioned Trust Indenture
and Agreement, will constitute valid and binding obligations of such Trusts  and
the Depositor in accordance with the terms thereof.
 
   We  hereby  consent  to the  filing  of this  opinion  as an  exhibit  to the
Registration Statement (File No.  333-47431) relating to  the Units referred  to
above  and to  the use  of our  name and to  the reference  to our  firm in said
Registration Statement and in the related Prospectus.
 
Respectfully submitted,
 
CHAPMAN AND CUTLER

<PAGE>
                                                                     EXHIBIT 3.2
 
(ON CHAPMAN AND CUTLER LETTERHEAD)
 
April 8, 1998
 
John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated
333 W. Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
 
RE:  Nuveen Tax-Free Unit Trust, Series 993
 
Gentlemen:
 
   We  have served  as counsel  for you,  as Depositor  of Nuveen  Tax-Free Unit
Trust, Series 993 (the "Fund") in  connection with the issuance under the  Trust
Indenture  and  Agreement,  dated the  date  hereof  between John  Nuveen  & Co.
Incorporated, as Depositor, and The Chase  Manhattan Bank, as Trustee, of  Units
of  fractional undivided  interest (the "Units"),  as evidenced by  a book entry
position or certificate, if requested by the  purchaser of Units, in the one  or
more Trusts of said Fund.
 
   We have also served as counsel for you in connection with all previous Series
of  the Nuveen  Tax-Free Unit  Trust and as  such have  previously examined such
pertinent records and documents and matters of law as we have deemed  necessary,
including  (but not limited to) the  Trust Indenture and Agreements with respect
to those series. We have also examined such pertinent records and documents  and
matters  of law as we  have deemed necessary including  (but not limited to) the
Trust Indenture and  Agreement relating  to Nuveen Tax-Free  Unit Trust,  Series
993.
 
   We have concluded that the Trust Indenture and Agreement for the Fund and its
counterpart in each of the prior issues of Nuveen Tax-Free Unit Trust are in all
material  respects  substantially  identical.  For  purposes  of  the  following
opinions, it is assumed that  each asset of the Trust  is debt, the interest  on
which is excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes.
 
   Based  upon the foregoing, and upon such matters  of law as we consider to be
applicable, we are of the opinion that, under existing federal income law:
 
   (i)  Each of the Trusts will  not be an association taxable as a  corporation
but  will be governed by the provisions  of Subchapter J (relating to Trusts) of
Chapter 1, Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code").
 
   (ii)  Each Unitholder will be considered  as owning a pro rata share of  each
asset  of the respective Trust of the Fund  in the proportion that the number of
Units of such Trust held by him  bears to the total number of outstanding  Units
of such Trust. Under Subpart E, Subchapter J of Chapter 1 of the Code, income of
each  Trust will  be treated as  income of each  Unitholder of the  Trust in the
proportion described, and an item of  Trust income will have the same  character
in  the hands  of a Unitholder  as it  would have in  the hands  of the Trustee.
Accordingly, to the extent that the income  of a Trust consists of interest  and
original  issue discount excludable  from gross income under  Section 103 of the
Code,  such  income  will  be  excludable  from  Federal  gross  income  of  the
Unitholder,  except in the case of a Unitholder  who is a substantial user (or a
person related to  such user)  of a facility  financed through  issuance of  any
industrial  development  bonds or  certain private  activity  bonds held  by the
Trust. In the case of such Unitholder  who is a substantial user (and no  other)
interest  received with  respect to  his Units  attributable to  such industrial
development bonds or  such private  activity bonds  is includable  in his  gross
income. To the extent the Trust holds bonds that are "specified private activity
bonds"  within the meaning of  Section 57(a)(5) of the  Code, a Unitholder's pro
rata portion of  the income on  such Bonds will  be included as  an item of  tax
preference  in the  computation of  the alternative  minimum tax  applied to all
taxpayers (including non-corporate taxpayers) subject to the alternative minimum
tax. Moreover, in the case of certain corporations, interest on all of the Bonds
is included in computing the alternative minimum tax pursuant to Sections  56(c)
of  the Code and the branch profits tax  imposed by Section 884 of the Code with
respect to U.S. branches of foreign corporations.
 
   (iii)  Gain or  loss will be  recognized to a  Unitholder upon redemption  or
sale  of his Units. Such  gain or loss is measured  by comparing the proceeds of
such redemption or  sale with  the adjusted  basis of the  Units. If  a Bond  is
acquired  with accrued interest, that portion of  the price paid for the accrued
interest is added to the  tax basis of the Bond.  When this accrued interest  is
received,  it is treated as a return of capital and reduces the tax basis of the
Bond. If a Bond is purchased for a  premium, the amount of the premium is  added
to  the tax basis of the Bond. Bond premium is amortized over the remaining term
of the Bond,  and the tax  basis of  the Bond is  reduced each tax  year by  the
amount  of the premium amortized in that tax year. Accordingly, Unitholders must
reduce the tax basis of their Units for their share of accrued interest received
by the Trust, if  any, on Bonds  delivered after the  Unitholders pay for  their
Units to the extent that such interest accrued on such Bonds before the date the
Trust  acquired ownership  of the  Bonds (and the  amount of  this reduction may
exceed the amount  of accrued interest  paid to the  seller) and,  consequently,
such Unitholders may have an increase in taxable gain
<PAGE>
or  reduction in capital loss  upon the disposition of  such Units. Such gain or
loss is measured by comparing the proceeds  of such redemption or sale with  the
adjusted  basis of such Units. In addition, such basis will be increased by both
the Unitholder's  aliquot share  of  the accrued  original issue  discount  (and
market  discount, if the Unitholder elects  to include market discount in income
as it accrues) with respect to each Bond held by the Trust with respect to which
there was original issue discount at the time the Bond was issued (or which  was
purchased  with market discount) and reduced  by the annual amortization of bond
premium, if any, on Bonds held by the Trust.
 
   (iv)  If the Trustee disposes of  a Trust asset (whether by sale, payment  on
maturity,  redemption or otherwise) gain or loss is recognized to the Unitholder
and the amount thereof is measured  by comparing the Unitholder's aliquot  share
of  the total proceeds  from the transaction  with his basis  for his fractional
interest in the asset disposed of. Such basis is ascertained by apportioning the
tax basis for his Units among each of the Trust assets (as of the date on  which
his  Units were acquired) ratably according to  their values as of the valuation
date nearest the date on which he purchased such Units. A Unitholder's basis  in
his  Units and of his fractional interest in each Trust asset must be reduced by
the amount of his aliquot  share of accrued interest  received by the Trust,  if
any,  on Bonds delivered after the Unitholders pay for their Units to the extent
that such interest accrued on the  Bonds before the Trust acquired ownership  of
the  Bonds (and the  amount of this  reduction may exceed  the amount of accrued
interest paid to the seller) must be reduced by the annual amortization of  bond
premium,  if any,  on Bonds  held by  the Trust;  and must  be increased  by the
Unitholder's share of accrued original  issue discount (and market discount,  if
the  Unitholder elects to include market discount  in income as it accrues) with
respect to each Bond which, at the time the Bond was issued, had original  issue
discount (or which was purchased with market discount).
 
   (v)   In the case of any Bond  held by the Trust where the "stated redemption
price at maturity"  exceeds the  "issue price,"  such excess  shall be  original
issue  discount. With respect to each Unitholder, upon the purchase of his Units
subsequent to  the  original  issuance  of  Bonds  held  by  the  Trust  Section
1272(a)(7)  of the Code provides for a  reduction in the accrued "daily portion"
of such original issue discount  upon the purchase of  a Bond subsequent to  the
Bond's original issue, under certain circumstances. In the case of any Bond held
by the Trust the interest on which is excludable from gross income under Section
103  of the Code, any original issue discount which accrues with respect thereto
will be treated as interest which is excludable from gross income under  Section
103 of the Code.
 
   (vi)   In the  case of Trusts  for which MBIA  Insurance Corporation ("MBIA")
insurance with respect to each of the Bonds deposited therein has been  obtained
by the Depositor or the issuer or underwriter of the Bonds, we have examined the
form  of MBIA's policy  or several policies of  insurance (the "Policies") which
have been delivered to the Trustee. Assuming issuance of Policies in such  form,
in  our  opinion, any  amounts paid  under  said Policies  representing maturing
interest on defaulted Bonds held by the Trustee will be excludable from  Federal
gross  income if, and  to the same extent  as, such interest  would have been so
excludable if paid in normal course of business by the respective issuer of  the
defaulted  Bonds, provided  that, at the  time such policies  are purchased, the
amounts paid for such policies are reasonable, customary and consistent with the
reasonable expectation that the  issuer of the Bonds,  rather than the  insurer,
will  pay  debt  service  on  the  Bonds.  Paragraph  (ii)  of  this  opinion is
accordingly applicable to Policy proceeds representing maturing interest.
 
   (vii)  Certain bonds in the portfolio  of the Trust have been insured by  the
issuers,  underwriters,  the Sponsor  or others  against  default in  the prompt
payment of principal and interest (the "Insured Bonds"). Such Insured Bonds  are
so designated on the portfolio pages in the Prospectus for each Trust. Insurance
on Insured Bonds is effective so long as such Bonds remain outstanding. For each
of these Insured Bonds, we have been advised that the aggregate principal amount
of such Insured Bonds listed on the portfolio page was acquired by the Trust and
are  part of the series of such  Insured Bonds in the listed aggregate principal
amount. Based upon the assumption that the  Insured Bonds of the Trust are  part
of  a series covered by an insurance policy,  it is our opinion that any amounts
received by the Trust representing maturing interest on such Insured Bonds  will
be  excludable from  Federal gross income  if, and  to the same  extent as, such
interest would have been so  excludable if paid in  normal course by the  Issuer
provided  that, at the  time such policies  are purchased, the  amounts paid for
such policies  are  reasonable, customary  and  consistent with  the  reasonable
expectation  that the issuer of the Insured  Bonds, rather than the insurer will
pay debt service  on the Bonds.  Paragraph (ii) of  this opinion is  accordingly
applicable to such payment representing maturing interest.
 
   Because  the Trusts  do not include  any "private activity  bonds" within the
meaning of Section 57(a)(5) of the Code issued on or after August 8, 1986,  none
of  the  Trust  Fund's  interest income  shall  be  treated as  an  item  of tax
preference  when  computing  the  alternative  minimum  tax.  In  the  case   of
corporations,   for  taxable  years  beginning  after  December  31,  1986,  the
alternative minimum  tax and  the Superfund  Tax depend  upon the  corporation's
alternative  minimum taxable income ("AMTI"), which is the corporation's taxable
income with certain adjustments.
<PAGE>
   Pursuant to Section 56(c) of  the Code, one of  the adjustment items used  in
computing  AMTI  of  a  corporation  (other  than  an  S  Corporation, Regulated
Investment Company,  Real  Estate  Investment  Trust or  REMIC)  for  tax  years
beginning  in 1989 is an amount equal to 75% of the excess of such corporation's
"adjusted current  earnings" over  an  amount equal  to  its AMTI  (before  such
adjustment item and the alternative tax net operating loss deduction). "Adjusted
current  earnings" includes all  tax-exempt interest, including  interest on all
Bonds in the Trust, and tax-exempt original issue discount.
 
   Sections 1288 and 1272 of the Code  provide a complex set of rules  governing
the  accrual of original issue discount. These rules provide that original issue
discount accrues either  on the basis  of a constant  compound interest rate  or
ratably over the term of the Bond, depending on the date the Bond was issued. In
addition,  special  rules apply  if the  purchase  price of  a Bond  exceeds the
original issue price plus the amount of original issue discount which would have
previously accrued based upon its issue price (its "adjusted issue price").  The
application  of these rules will also vary depending on the value of the bond on
the date a Unitholder acquires his Units, and the price the Unitholder pays  for
his Units.
 
   Effective  for tax returns  filed after December 31,  1987, all taxpayers are
required to disclose to  the Internal Revenue Service  the amount of  tax-exempt
interest earned during the year.
 
   Section 265 of the Code provides for a reduction in each taxable year of 100%
of  the otherwise deductible  interest on indebtedness  incurred or continued by
financial institutions, to which either Section  585 or Section 593 of the  Code
applies,  to purchase or  carry obligations acquired after  August 7, 1986 (with
certain exceptions), the interest on which  is exempt from Federal income  taxes
for  such taxable  year. Under  rules prescribed by  Section 265,  the amount of
interest otherwise deductible by such financial institutions in any taxable year
which is  deemed to  be attributable  to tax-exempt  obligations acquired  after
August  7, 1986, will generally  be the amount that bears  the same ratio to the
interest deduction  otherwise allowable  (determined without  regard to  Section
265)  to the taxpayer  for the taxable  year as the  taxpayer's average adjusted
basis (within the meaning  of Section 1016)  of tax-exempt obligations  acquired
after August 7, 1986, bears to such average adjusted basis for all assets of the
taxpayer.
 
   We  also call  attention to  the fact  that, under  Section 265  of the Code,
interest on indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase or carry Units is not
deductible for Federal  income tax purposes.  Under rules used  by the  Internal
Revenue  Service for determining when borrowed funds are considered used for the
purpose of purchasing or carrying particular  assets, the purchase of Units  may
be  considered to have  been made with  borrowed funds even  though the borrowed
funds are not directly traceable to the purchase of Units. However, these  rules
generally   do  not  apply  to  interest   paid  on  indebtedness  incurred  for
expenditures of a  personal nature such  as a mortgage  incurred to purchase  or
improve a personal residence.
 
   "The  Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993" (the "Tax Act") subjects tax-exempt
bonds to the  market discount rules  of the Code  effective for bonds  purchased
after  April 30,  1993. In general,  market discount  is the amount  (if any) by
which the stated  redemption price  at maturity exceeds  an investor's  purchase
price  (except to the  extent that such  difference, if any,  is attributable to
original issue discount not yet accrued) subject to a statutory de minimis rule.
Market discount can arise based on the price a Trust pays for Bonds or the price
a Unitholder pays for his or her  Units. Under the Tax Act, accretion of  market
discount  is taxable as ordinary income; under prior law, the accretion had been
treated as capital  gain. Market discount  that accretes while  a Trust holds  a
Bond  would be recognized  as ordinary income by  the Unitholders when principal
payments are received on the Bond,  upon sale or at redemption (including  early
redemption),  or  upon the  sale or  redemption of  his or  her Units,  unless a
Unitholder elects to include market discount in taxable income as it accrues.
 
   We have not examined any of the Bonds  to be deposited and held in the  Trust
or the proceedings for the issuance thereof or the opinions of bond counsel with
respect thereto, and therefore express no opinion as to the exemption from State
income taxes of interest on the Bonds if received directly by a Unitholder.
 
   We  hereby  consent  to the  filing  of this  opinion  as an  exhibit  to the
Registration Statement (File No.  333-47431) relating to  the Units referred  to
above  and to  the use  of our  name and to  the reference  to our  firm in said
Registration Statement and in the related Prospectus.
 
Respectfully submitted,
 
CHAPMAN AND CUTLER

<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 3.3
 
(ON DAY, BERRY & HOWARD LETTER)
 
   
APRIL 8, 1998
    
 
John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
 
   
RE:  Nuveen Tax-Free Unit Trust, Series 993
    Connecticut Traditional Trust 292
    
 
Gentlemen:
 
   
    You  have requested that we  act as special counsel  with respect to certain
Connecticut tax aspects of Connecticut  Traditional Trust 292 (the  "Connecticut
Traditional  Trust"), being created  as part of the  Nuveen Tax-Free Unit Trust,
Series 993 (the "Fund").
    
 
    The Fund is  created under a  Trust Indenture and  Agreement dated the  date
hereof  between  John Nuveen  & Co.  Incorporated, as  Depositor, and  The Chase
Manhattan Bank, as Trustee. The Fund  will issue units in several state  trusts,
one  of which is the Connecticut Traditional Trust. Each unit of the Connecticut
Traditional Trust (a "Unit") represents  a fractional undivided interest in  the
principal  and net income of the  Connecticut Traditional Trust. The Connecticut
Traditional Trust and the trust  for any other state  included in the Fund  will
each  be administered as a  separate and distinct entity  for all purposes, each
having its own separate assets, accounts, and certificates.
 
    You have  informed  us that,  upon  the sale  of  Units of  the  Connecticut
Traditional   Trust  to  investors  (the   "Unitholders"),  the  assets  of  the
Connecticut Traditional Trust will consist of certain obligations (the "Bonds").
Each of the Bonds has been issued by or on behalf of the State of Connecticut, a
political  subdivision  thereof,  or  public  instrumentality,  state  or  local
authority,  district, or  similar public  entity created  under the  laws of the
State of  Connecticut  or by  or  on behalf  of  a United  States  territory  or
possession  the interest on the obligations  of which Federal law would prohibit
Connecticut from taxing if received directly by a Unitholder. In the opinion  of
bond  counsel to the issuer of each of the Bonds, the interest thereon is exempt
from Federal income taxation. Distributions to Unitholders of interest  received
by  the Connecticut Traditional  Trust and of amounts  received thereby upon the
maturity, redemption,  sale, or  other disposition  of the  Bonds will  be  made
semi-annually  except  in the  case of  Unitholders who  have elected  a shorter
distribution period.
 
    You have informed us that, in the opinion of Messrs. Chapman and Cutler, for
Federal income tax purposes  (i) the Connecticut Traditional  Trust will not  be
classified  as  an  association,  but  will be  governed  by  the  provisions of
subchapter J of  chapter 1 of  the Internal  Revenue Code of  1986, relating  to
trusts; (ii) pursuant to subpart E of said subchapter J, each Unitholder will be
considered  to  be the  owner  of a  portion of  each  asset of  the Connecticut
Traditional Trust  and  to  have  a  portion of  each  item  of  income  of  the
Connecticut Traditional Trust, in each case such portion being equal to the part
of  the whole thereof  that the number  of Units of  the Connecticut Traditional
Trust held  by  him bears  to  the total  number  of outstanding  Units  of  the
Connecticut Traditional Trust; (iii) each such item of income will have the same
character in the hands of a Unitholder as in the hands of the Trustee; (iv) gain
or  loss will be recognized  by a Unitholder upon the  redemption or sale of his
Units or upon  the maturity, redemption,  sale, or other  disposition of a  Bond
held  by  the  Connecticut  Traditional  Trust;  and  (v)  such  income  will be
excludable from a Unitholder's Federal gross income to the extent it consists of
interest excludable therefrom for Federal income tax purposes.
 
    Based on the  foregoing, and relying  explicitly on the  opinion of  Messrs.
Chapman  and Cutler regarding Federal income tax  matters, we are of the opinion
that, under existing Connecticut law:
 
    1.--The Connecticut  Traditional Trust  is  not subject  to  any tax  on  or
measured by net income imposed by the State of Connecticut.
 
    2.--Interest income from a Bond held by the Connecticut Traditional Trust is
not  taxable  under the  Connecticut tax  on the  Connecticut taxable  income of
individuals, trusts,  and  estates (the  "Connecticut  Income Tax"),  when  such
interest  is received by the Connecticut  Traditional Trust or distributed by it
to a Unitholder.
 
    3.--Gains and  losses recognized  by  a Unitholder  for Federal  income  tax
purposes  upon  the  maturity, redemption,  sale,  or other  disposition  by the
Connecticut  Traditional   Trust   of   a   Bond   held   by   the   Connecticut
<PAGE>
Traditional  Trust or upon the redemption, sale,  or other disposition of a Unit
of the Connecticut Traditional Trust held by a Unitholder are taken into account
as gains or losses,  respectively, for purposes of  the Connecticut Income  Tax,
except  that, in  the case  of a  Unitholder holding  a Unit  of the Connecticut
Traditional Trust as a capital asset, such gains and losses recognized upon  the
maturity,  redemption, sale, or exchange of a Bond issued by or on behalf of the
State  of   Connecticut,   any   political  subdivision   thereof,   or   public
instrumentality,  state or local  authority, district, or  similar public entity
created under the laws of the  State of Connecticut (a "Connecticut Bond")  held
by  the Connecticut Traditional  Trust are excluded from  gains and losses taken
into account for  purposes of such  tax and no  opinion is expressed  as to  the
treatment for purposes of such tax of gains and losses recognized, to the extent
attributable   to  Connecticut  Bonds,  upon  the  redemption,  sale,  or  other
disposition by a Unitholder of a Unit of the Connecticut Traditional Trust  held
by him.
 
    4.--The  portion of any  interest income or capital  gain of the Connecticut
Traditional Trust  that is  allocable to  a Unitholder  that is  subject to  the
Connecticut  corporation business tax is includable  in the gross income of such
Unitholder for purposes of such tax.
 
    5.--An interest in a Unit of the Connecticut Traditional Trust that is owned
by or  attributable to  a  Connecticut resident  at the  time  of his  death  is
includable  in his gross  estate for purposes of  the Connecticut succession tax
and the Connecticut estate tax.
 
    We hereby consent, without admitting that we are in the category of  persons
whose  consent is required, to  the filing of this opinion  as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement relating to the Units and to the reference to our firm as
special  Connecticut  tax  counsel  in  such  Registration  Statement  and   the
Prospectus contained therein.
 
    We understand that you may deliver a copy of this opinion to the Trustee and
hereby  consent  to the  Trustee's relying  on  this opinion  as though  it were
addressed to the Trustee.
 
Very truly yours,
 
DAY, BERRY & HOWARD

<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 3.3
 
(ON PITNEY, HARDIN, KIPP & SZUCH LETTERHEAD)
 
APRIL 8, 1998
 
John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
 
RE:  Nuveen Tax-Free Unit Trust, Series 993
    New Jersey Insured Trust 228
 
Gentlemen:
 
    We  have acted  as special  counsel, with  respect to  New Jersey  state tax
matters, to Nuveen  Tax-Free Unit Trust,  Series 993 (the  "Fund") concerning  a
Registration  Statement (No. 333-47431) on Form  S-6 under the Securities Act of
1933, as  amended, covering  the issuance  by the  Fund of  units of  fractional
undivided  interest (the "Units") in several  state trusts (the "State Trusts"),
one of which is the above-captioned trust ("New Jersey Trust"). Such Units  will
be purchased by various investors ("Unitholders").
 
    The   Fund  is  organized  under  a   Trust  Indenture  and  Agreement  (the
"Indenture") of even date herewith between  John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated  (the
"Depositor")  and The Chase Manhattan Bank (the "Trustee"). Each Unit of the New
Jersey Trust represents a fractional undivided interest in the principal and net
income of the New Jersey Trust in the  ratio of ten Units for each one  thousand
dollars  ($1,000) of principal  amount of the  obligations initially acquired by
the New Jersey Trust. The  New Jersey Trust will  be administered as a  distinct
entity with separate certificates, investments, expenses, books and records.
 
    In  acting as special  counsel, we have examined  such documents and records
with respect to the immediately preceding series of Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust
- -Series which  included a  State  Trust consisting  primarily of  Bonds  (herein
defined)  (the "Prior Series") as we  deem necessary, including, but not limited
to, the Trust  Indenture and Agreement  (the "Prior Series  Indenture") and  the
Prospectus.  You have  advised that the  Indenture is identical  in all material
respects to the Prior Series Indenture.  You have also advised that the  opinion
of  Messrs. Chapman and Cutler with respect  to the Federal income tax status of
the Fund, its constituent  State Trusts and its  Unitholders is in all  material
respects  identical to the opinion issued by  Messrs. Chapman and Cutler for the
Prior Series.
 
    We  note  that  the  assets  of  the  New  Jersey  Trust  will  consist   of
interest-bearing  obligations issued by or on behalf of the State of New Jersey,
and counties,  municipalities,  authorities  and  other  political  subdivisions
thereof,  and certain  territories of the  United States  including Puerto Rico,
Guam, the  Virgin  Islands  and  the Northern  Mariana  Islands  (the  "Bonds").
Distributions  of the interest received by the  New Jersey Trust will be made to
each Unitholder  semi-annually  unless the  Unitholder  elects to  receive  such
distributions on a monthly or quarterly basis. In the opinion of bond counsel to
each  issuer, the interest on  all Bonds in the New  Jersey Trust is exempt from
Federal income tax under existing law.
 
    We understand that on  this date (the "Date  of Deposit") the Depositor  has
deposited  with  the  Trustee  the total  principal  amount  of interest-bearing
obligations  and/or  contracts  for  the  purchase  thereof  together  with   an
irrevocable  letter of credit in the amount  required for the purchase price and
accrued interest, if any, and an  insurance policy or policies purchased by  the
Depositor  and issued by the Municipal Bond Investors Assurance Corporation (the
"Insurer") evidencing the insurance guaranteeing the timely payment of principal
and interest of some of  the obligations comprising the  corpus of the Fund,  as
more  fully  set  forth in  the  Preliminary Prospectus.  All  other obligations
included in the deposit described above will be covered by insurance obtained by
the issuer of such obligations from  the Insurer guaranteeing timely payment  of
principal  and interest. Such insurance will provide that the amount paid by the
Insurer in  respect of  any Bond  may not  exceed the  amount of  principal  and
interest  due on the Bond  and such payment will in  no event relieve the issuer
from its continuing obligation to pay  such defaulted principal and interest  in
accordance with the terms of the obligation.
 
    Section  2.04 of the Indenture provides that  each State Trust is a separate
and distinct trust for all  purposes, the assets of one  State Trust may not  be
commingled  with the assets of  any other State Trust,  and that the expenses of
one State Trust shall not be charged against any other State Trust. Section 2.04
further  provides  that  the  certificates  representing  the  ownership  of  an
undivided  fractional interest in one State  Trust shall not be exchangeable for
certificates representing the ownership of  an undivided fractional interest  in
any other State Trust.
 
    The Indenture provides further, among other things, that the Trustee shall:
 
    A.--Collect  all interest  and monies payable  to the New  Jersey Trust, and
hold the funds collected in trust on behalf of the Unitholders of the New Jersey
Trust;
<PAGE>
    B.--Set aside from such funds any amounts necessary for the reimbursement of
advances and for  the payment  of expenses,  taxes and  governmental charges  in
respect of the New Jersey Trust;
 
    C.--Distribute  all remaining amounts semi-annually, or monthly or quarterly
if so  elected  by a  Unitholder,  to the  Unitholders  in proportion  to  their
interest in the New Jersey Trust;
 
    D.--Redeem any certificates tendered for redemption by a Unitholder provided
that  the Trustee has notified the Depositor of the tender and the Depositor has
failed to  indicate  within a  time  specified in  the  Indenture that  it  will
purchase the tendered certificates from the tendering Unitholder;
 
    E.--Sell  or  liquidate  any or  all  Bonds  at the  sole  direction  of the
Depositor and at such price and time  and in such manner as shall be  determined
by  the Depositor, provided  that the Depositor  has determined that  any one or
more of certain conditions specified in the Indenture exists;
 
    F.--In connection with an offer  made by an obligor of  any of the Bonds  to
issue  new  obligations, in  exchange and  substitution for  any issue  of Bonds
pursuant to a plan for the refunding  or refinancing of such Bonds, pursuant  to
the  sole instruction of the Depositor in  writing, reject such offer and either
hold or sell such  Bonds, or accept or  reject such offer or  to take any  other
action with respect thereto as the Depositor may deem proper; and
 
    G.--At the direction of the Depositor, acquire Replacement Bonds, as defined
in the Prospectus, to make up the original corpus of the New Jersey Trust in the
event  of a  failure to  deliver any Bond  that has  been purchased  for the New
Jersey Trust under a  contract, including those Bonds  purchased on a "when,  as
and if issued" basis.
 
    The  Trustee has no  power of sale except  (a) on order  of the Depositor as
stated herein, (b)  to provide  funds, not  otherwise available,  to pay  taxes,
charges,  expenses, fees or  indemnities, (c) in  case of default  on any of the
Bonds, but  only after  notification of  the Depositor,  and provided  that  the
Depositor  has not, within 30 days  of such notification, given any instructions
to sell or to hold, or has not  taken any other action in connection with,  such
Bonds,  or  (d)  for  the  purpose of  redeeming  certificates  tendered  by any
Unitholder. The Trustee has  no power to reinvest,  except as stated in  Section
3.08  of the Indenture. Such limited power  of reinvestment is in furtherance of
the Trustee's obligation to  protect the trust assets,  and does not  constitute
power to vary investments.
 
    The Indenture provides further, among other things, that the Unitholders:
 
    A.--May  tender  their  certificate  or  certificates  to  the  Trustee  for
redemption except in limited circumstances;
 
    B.--Will not have any right to vote  or in any manner otherwise control  the
operation  and management of the Fund, the  New Jersey Trust, or the obligations
of the Depositor or Trustee;
 
    C.--May elect  to receive  distributions  from the  New  Jersey Trust  on  a
monthly or quarterly basis;
 
    D.--May  terminate the New  Jersey Trust at  any time by  written consent of
100% of the Unitholders of the New Jersey Trust; and
 
    E.--Shall be under no liability to any third persons by reason of any action
taken by the Depositor or  Trustee or any other  Unitholder, or any other  cause
whatsoever.
 
    You  have advised that,  in the opinion  of Messrs. Chapman  and Cutler, for
Federal income tax purposes the Fund and New Jersey Trust will not be taxable as
a corporation  or  association  but  will  be  governed  by  the  provisions  of
Subchapter  J (relating to trusts) of Chapter  1 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended. Each  Unitholder will be  considered the owner  of a pro  rata
portion  of  the New  Jersey Trust  and will  be  subject to  tax on  the income
therefrom under the provisions of Subpart E of Subchapter J of Chapter 1 of  the
Internal  Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The New Jersey Trust itself will not
be subject to Federal income taxes.  For Federal income tax purposes, each  item
of  trust income will have the same character  in the hands of the Unitholder as
it would have in the hands of  the Trustee. Accordingly, to the extent that  the
income of the New Jersey Trust consists of interest excludable from gross income
under  Section 103 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, such income
will be excludable from Federal gross income of the Unitholder. Furthermore, any
proceeds paid under the  insurance policy or policies  issued to the Trustee  of
the  Fund  with  respect  to  each Bond  which  represent  maturing  interest on
defaulted obligations held by the Trustee will be excludable from Federal  gross
income  if,  and  to  the same  extent  as,  such interest  would  have  been so
excludable  if  paid  by  the  issuer  of  the  defaulted  obligations  and  the
excludability  from  Federal gross  income  of interest  on  Bonds which  may be
insured by policies issued directly to  the respective Bond issuers will not  be
affected if the source of any interest payment is from policy proceeds.
 
    Based on our examination of the Prior Series Indenture, your advice that the
Indenture  is identical in all material  respects to the Prior Series Indenture,
your advice that the opinion of Messrs.  Chapman and Cutler with respect to  the
Federal  income tax  status of  the Fund, its  constituent State  Trusts and its
Unitholders dated as of the date hereof is identical in all material respects to
its counterpart in  the Prior Series,  and, with respect  to Federal income  tax
matters,  with your approval, relying solely upon the opinion of Messrs. Chapman
and Cutler, and our examination of such other documents, records and matters  of
law  as we deem necessary, we  are of the opinion that  for New Jersey state and
local tax purposes:
<PAGE>
    1.--The New  Jersey  Trust  will  be  recognized  as  a  trust  and  not  an
association  taxable as a corporation. The New  Jersey Trust will not be subject
to the New Jersey Corporation Business Tax or the New Jersey Corporation  Income
Tax.
 
    2.--With  respect to the non-corporate Unitholders  who are residents of New
Jersey, the income  of the  New Jersey  Trust which  is allocable  to each  such
Unitholder will be treated as the income of such Unitholder under the New Jersey
Gross  Income Tax. Interest on  the underlying Bonds which  would be exempt from
New Jersey Gross Income Tax if directly received by such Unitholder will  retain
its  status as  tax-exempt interest  when received by  the New  Jersey Trust and
distributed to such Unitholder. Any proceeds paid under the insurance policy  or
policies  issued to the Trustee  of the Fund with respect  to each Bond or under
individual policies  obtained  by  issuers of  Bonds  which  represent  maturing
interest  on defaulted obligations held  by the Trustee will  be exempt from New
Jersey Gross Income Tax if, and to the same extent as, such interest would  have
been so exempt if paid by the issuer of the defaulted obligations.
 
    3.--A  non-corporate Unitholder will not be  subject to the New Jersey Gross
Income Tax on any gain realized either  when the New Jersey Trust disposes of  a
Bond  (whether by sale, exchange, redemption,  or payment at maturity), when the
Unitholder redeems or sells his Units, or upon payment of any proceeds under the
insurance policy or policies issued to the  Trustee of the Fund with respect  to
each  Bond  or under  individual  policies obtained  by  issuers of  Bonds which
represent maturing principal on defaulted  obligations held by the Trustee.  Any
loss  realized on such disposition may not  be utilized to offset gains realized
by such Unitholder on the disposition of assets the gain on which is subject  to
the New Jersey Gross Income Tax.
 
    4.--Units  of  the  New  Jersey Trust  may  be  taxable on  the  death  of a
Unitholder under the New Jersey Transfer  Inheritance Tax Law or the New  Jersey
Estate Tax Law.
 
    5.--If  a Unitholder is a corporation  subject to the New Jersey Corporation
Business Tax or New  Jersey Corporation Income Tax,  interest from the Bonds  in
the  New Jersey Trust which is allocable  to such corporation will be includable
in its entire net income for purposes of the New Jersey Corporation Business Tax
or New Jersey  Corporation Income  Tax, less  any interest  expense incurred  to
carry  such investment to the extent such interest expense has not been deducted
in computing Federal taxable  income. Net gains derived  by such corporation  on
the  disposition of the Bonds  by the New Jersey Trust  or on the disposition of
its Units will  be included in  its entire net  income for purposes  of the  New
Jersey  Corporation  Business  Tax or  New  Jersey Corporation  Income  Tax. Any
proceeds paid under the  insurance policy or policies  issued to the Trustee  of
the  Fund with  respect to  each Bond or  under individual  policies obtained by
issuers of  Bonds which  represent maturing  interest or  maturing principal  on
defaulted  obligations held by  the Trustee will  be included in  its entire net
income for purposes  of the New  Jersey Corporation Business  Tax or New  Jersey
Corporation  Income Tax if, and to the same extent as, such interest or proceeds
would have been so included if paid by the issuer of the defaulted obligations.
 
    We have not examined any of the obligations to be deposited in the Fund, and
express no opinion as to whether the  interest on any such obligations would  in
fact  be tax-exempt if directly  received by a Unitholder;  nor have we made any
review of the proceedings  relating to the  issuance of Bonds  or the basis  for
bond counsel opinions.
 
    We  hereby  consent to  the  filing of  this opinion  as  an exhibit  to the
Registration Statement and to the  reference to our firm  and a summary of  this
opinion  included  in such  Registration Statement  and the  Prospectus included
therein. In giving  such consent  we do  not thereby admit  that we  are in  the
category of persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.
 
    Except as indicated in the immediately preceding paragraph hereof and except
with  our prior written consent,  this opinion may not be  quoted in whole or in
part or otherwise referred to in any  document or instrument or be furnished  to
or  relied upon by any  person other than the  addressee and The Chase Manhattan
Bank, as Trustee (including any successor trustee).
 
Very truly yours,
 
Pitney, Hardin, Kipp & Szuch

<PAGE>
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.1
 
(ON STANDARD & POOR'S, A DIVISION OF THE MCGRAW-HILL COMPANIES LETTERHEAD)
 
April 8, 1998
 
John Nuveen & Company
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Re:  NUVEEN TAX-FREE UNIT TRUST, SERIES 993
 
   This is in response to your requests regarding the above-captioned fund which
consists  of separate underlying insured and traditional unit investment trusts,
SEC file # 333-47431.
 
INSURED TRUSTS.
 
   With respect to the insured trusts we have reviewed the information presented
to us and have assigned a "AAA" rating to the units of each insured trust and  a
"AAA"  rating to the securities contained in each insured trust. The ratings are
direct reflections  of  the portfolio  of  each  insured trust,  which  will  be
composed  soley of  securities covered  by bond  insurance policies  that insure
against default  in the  payment of  principal and  interest on  the  securities
contained  in each  insured trust  for as  long as  they remain  outstanding. We
understand that the bonds described in the  prospectus are the same as those  in
the  attatched list. Since such policies have been issued by MBIA which has been
assigned a "AAA" claims paying ability rating  by S&P, S&P has assigned a  "AAA"
to  the  units  of each  insured  trust and  a  "AAA" rating  to  the securities
contained in each trust.
 
   Standard &  Poor's  will maintain  surveillance  on the  "AAA"  rating  until
thirteen  months from the initial Date of  Deposit. On this date the rating will
be automatically withdrawn by Standard &  Poor's unless a post effective  letter
is requested by the trust.
 
   You  have permission to use the name of  Standard & Poor's, a Division of The
McGraw-Hill Companies  and the  above-assigned rating  in connection  with  your
dissemination  of information relating to the insured trusts provided that it is
understood that the ratings are not "market" ratings nor recommendations to buy,
hold or sell the units of the insured trusts or the securities contained in  the
insured trusts. Further, it should be understood the rating on the units of each
insured  trust  does not  take  into account  the  extent to  which  the trust's
expenses or portfolio  asset sales for  less than the  principal required to  be
paid  on the portfolio assets. S&P reserves the right to advise its own clients,
subscribers, and the public of  the ratings. S&P relies  on the sponsor and  its
counsel, accountants, and other experts for the accuracy and completeness of the
information submitted in connection with the ratings. S&P does not independently
verify the truth or accuracy of any such information.
 
   This  letter  evidences our  consent to  the use  of the  name of  Standard &
Poor's, a Division of  The McGraw-Hill Companies in  connection with the  rating
assigned  to the units  of each insured  trust in the  registration statement or
prospectus relating to the units and the trusts. However, this letter should not
be construed  as a  consent  by us,  within  the meaning  of  section 7  of  the
Securities  Act of 1933,  to the use of  Standard and Poor's,  a Division of The
McGraw-Hill Companies in connection with the ratings assigned to the  securities
contained  in the insured  trusts. You are  hereby authorized to  file a copy of
this letter with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
   Please be certain to send us three copies of your final prospectus as soon as
it becomes available. Should we not receive them within a reasonable time  after
the  closing or  should they  not conform  to certification  received by  us, we
reserve the right to nullify the ratings.
<PAGE>
TRADITIONAL TRUSTS.
 
   With  respect  to   the  traditional  unit   investment  trusts  within   the
above-captioned  fund, we have  reviewed the information presented  to us and we
hereby confirm that the ratings indicated in the prospectus as being assigned by
Standard & Poor's,  a Division of  The McGraw-Hill Companies  to the  securities
contained  in each traditional trust of such fund are, according to our records,
the ratings  currently  assigned  by  Standard  &  Poor's,  a  Division  of  The
McGraw-Hill Companies to such securities. You understand that Standard & Poor's,
a  Division of  The McGraw-Hill  Companies has  not consented  to, and  will not
consent to, being named as 'expert' under the federal securities laws, including
and without limitation, Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, with respect to
the ratings on any securities contained in any of the traditional trusts.
 
   Please note that the "AAA" rating assigned to the units of each insured trust
does not apply to the units of any of the traditional trusts.
 
                                          STANDARD & POOR'S, A DIVISION
                                          OF THE MCGRAW-HILL COMPANIES
 
                                          Sanford Bragg

<PAGE>
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.2
 
(On J. J. Kenny Co., Inc. Letterhead)
 
   
April 8, 1998
    
 
John Nuveen & Company
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606
 
Re:  Nuveen Tax-Free Unit Trusts, Series 993
 
Gentlemen:
 
   We  have  examined  the registration  statement  File No.  333-47431  for the
above-captioned trust. We hereby acknowledge that Kenny S&P Evaluation Services,
a division of J. J. Kenny Co., Inc. is currently acting as the evaluator for the
trust. We  hereby  consent to  the  use in  the  Registration Statement  of  the
reference  to Kenny S&P Evaluation Services, a division of J. J. Kenny Co., Inc.
as evaluator.
 
   In addition, we hereby confirm that the ratings indicated in the Registration
Statement for  the  respective bonds  comprising  the trust  portfolio  are  the
ratings currently indicated in our KENNYBASE database.
 
   You  are hereby authorized to file a  copy of this letter with the Securities
and Exchange Commission.
 
Sincerely,
 
Frank A. Ciccotto

<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 4.3
 
(ON CARTER LEDYARD & MILBURN LETTERHEAD)
 
   
April 8, 1998
    
 
Nuveen Tax-Free Unit Trust, Series 993
c/o John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated,
as Depositor of
Nuveen Tax-Free Unit Trust, Series 993
333 W. Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
 
RE:  Nuveen Tax-Free Unit Trust, Series 993
 
Dear Sirs:
 
   We hereby consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "What is the
Tax Status of Unitholders?" in the Registration Statement and related Prospectus
of  Nuveen Tax-Free  Unit Trust,  Series 993  for the  registration of  units of
fractional undivided interest in the Fund  in the aggregate principal amount  as
set forth in the Closing Memorandum dated today's date.
 
Very truly yours,
 
CARTER, LEDYARD & MILBURN

<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 4.4
 
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
   As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the use of our report
and  to  all  references  to  our  Firm included  in  or  made  a  part  of this
Registration Statement.
 
ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 
Chicago, Illinois
 
   
April 8, 1998
    

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
This   schedule  contains  summary  financial  information  extracted  from  the
Connecticut Traditional Trust 292 which is incorporated in the Prospectus  dated
April   8,  1998  and  is  qualified  in  its  entirety  by  reference  to  such
prospectus.
</LEGEND>
<SERIES>
<NUMBER>                     001
<NAME>                        Connecticut Traditional
 
       
<S>                                                <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                      OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                               MAR-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                                    MAR-31-1999
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                                             1,726,316
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                                            1,731,575
<RECEIVABLES>                                                        22,108
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                                            0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                                      0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                    1,756,283
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                                                  0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                                                   0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                                            22,108
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                                  22,108
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                                           0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                                                  0
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                                                17,500
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                                                     0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                                                 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                                                    0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                                                   0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                                                  0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                                                  0
<NET-ASSETS>                                                      1,731,575
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                                         0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                                         0
<OTHER-INCOME>                                                            0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                                            0
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                                   0
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                                                  0
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                                                 0
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                                                     0
<EQUALIZATION>                                                            0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                                                 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                                                  0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                                     0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                                                   0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                                               0
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                                       0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                                                    0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                                                   0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                                                 0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                                                   0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                                                0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                        0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                                           0
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                                                      0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                                                 98.95
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                                           0
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                                                   0
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                                                      0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                                                 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                                      0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                                                       0
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                                           0
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                                                    0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                                      0
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
This  schedule  contains summary  financial information  extracted from  the New
Jersey Insured Trust 228 which is incorporated in the Prospectus dated April  8,
1998 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such prospectus.
</LEGEND>
<SERIES>
<NUMBER>                     002
<NAME>                        New Jersey Insured
 
       
<S>                                                <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                      OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                               MAR-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                                    MAR-31-1999
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                                             1,675,317
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                                            1,680,806
<RECEIVABLES>                                                        16,015
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                                            0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                                      0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                    1,699,321
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                                                  0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                                                   0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                                            16,015
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                                  16,015
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                                           0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                                                  0
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                                                17,500
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                                                     0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                                                 0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                                                    0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                                                   0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                                                  0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                                                  0
<NET-ASSETS>                                                      1,680,806
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                                         0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                                         0
<OTHER-INCOME>                                                            0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                                            0
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                                                   0
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                                                  0
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                                                 0
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                                                     0
<EQUALIZATION>                                                            0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                                                 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                                                  0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                                     0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                                                   0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                                               0
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                                       0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                                                    0
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                                                   0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                                                 0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                                                   0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                                                0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                        0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                                           0
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                                                      0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                                                 96.05
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                                           0
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                                                   0
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                                                      0
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                                                 0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                                      0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                                                       0
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                                           0
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                                                    0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                                      0
        

</TABLE>

<PAGE>
MEMORANDUM
 
                     NUVEEN TAX-FREE UNIT TRUST, SERIES 993
                               FILE NO. 333-47431
 
   
   The  Prospectus  and  the  Indenture  filed  with  Amendment  No.  1  of  the
Registration Statement  on Form  S-6 have  been revised  to reflect  information
regarding  the execution of the  Indenture and the deposit  of bonds on April 8,
1998, and to  set forth  certain statistical  data based  thereon. In  addition,
there  are a number of other changes  from the Prospectus as originally filed to
which reference is  made, including  the increase  in the  size of  the Fund,  a
corresponding  increase in the  number of Units  and a change  in the individual
trusts constituting the Fund.  All references to the  Units, prices and  related
statistical  data will  apply to each  trust of  the Fund and  the Units thereof
individually.
    
 
   Except for such updating, an effort has been made to set forth below each  of
the  changes and also to reflect the  same by marking the Prospectus transmitted
with the Amendment. Also, differences  between the Final Prospectus relating  to
the  previous  series  of  the  Nuveen Tax-Exempt  Unit  Trust  and  the subject
Prospectus have been indicated.
 
FORM S-6
 
FACING SHEET. The file number is now shown.
 
THE PROSPECTUS
 
   PART A-PAGE  2.--The  "Estimated  Long-Term Return"  and  "Estimated  Current
Return" to Unitholders under each Trust under each of the distribution plans are
stated.
 
   PART  A-PAGES 1-2.--Essential information  for each of  the Trusts, including
applicable footnotes, has been completed for this Series.
 
   PART A-PAGES 1-2.--The date of the  Indenture has been inserted in Section  1
along with the size and number of Units of each of the Trusts.
 
   PART A-PAGES 1-7 et seq.--The following information for each Trust appears on
the pages relating to such trust:
 
       The  estimated daily accrual of interest  under the plans of distribution
       for each of the Trusts
 
       Data regarding the composition of the portfolio of each Trust
 
       Disclosure  regarding  the  states'  economic  and  legislative   matters
       relevant to investors of state trusts
 
       Concentrations of issues by purpose in each Trust
 
       The  approximate percentage of  the bonds in the  portfolio of each Trust
       acquired  in  distributions  where  the  Sponsor  was  either  the   sole
       underwriter or manager or member of the underwriting syndicate
 
       The percentage of "when issued" bonds in the portfolio of each Trust
 
       The schedule of investments for each Trust, including the notes thereto
 
       Descriptions of the opinions of the special tax counsel for state trusts
 
       The  Record Dates and  Distribution Dates for  interest distributions for
       each Trust
 
       The Statements of Condition  for each Trust  and the Accountant's  Report
       with regard thereto.
 
       The amount of the Trustee's Fee
 
CHAPMAN AND CUTLER
 
Chicago, Illinois
 
   
April 8, 1998
    


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