NUVEEN UNIT TRUSTS SERIES 9
487, 1998-04-08
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<PAGE>
   
                                                    FILE NO. 333-44525
    
                                                    40 ACT FILE NO. 811-08103
 
                       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 UNIT TRUST, SERIES 9
 
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 fractional undivided 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 9
    
                             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?
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<C>  <S>  <C>                                          <C> <C>
     (b)  Certain information regarding                 )  *
          periodic payment certificates                 )
     (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                                  )  *
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<C>  <S>  <C>                                          <C> <C>
24.  Other material provisions of Trust Agreement.      )  *
 
          III. ORGANIZATION, PERSONNEL AND AFFILIATED PERSONS OF DEPOSITOR
25.  Organization of Depositor                          )  Information About the Sponsor
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                    )  *
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<C>  <S>  <C>                                          <C> <C>
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
 
          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>
   
                             SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
                                 APRIL 8, 1998
     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.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                   <C>
NUVEEN                Nuveen Insured
Unit Trusts           Corporate Trust,
                      Series 3
                      (Long-Term)
 
                      CUSIP: 67090A
                      164-MONTHLY
                      CUSIP: 67090A
                      172-QUARTERLY
                      CUSIP: 67090A
                      180-SEMI-ANNUAL
PROSPECTUS PART A DATED APRIL 8, 1998
</TABLE>
    
 
   
THIS TRUST HAS A DOLLAR-WEIGHTED AVERAGE MATURITY OF 28.1 YEARS FOR INDIVIDUAL
INVESTORS SEEKING A HIGH LEVEL OF CURRENT INTEREST INCOME CONSISTENT WITH
PRESERVATION OF CAPITAL PROVIDED BY A PORTFOLIO PRIMARILY COMPOSED OF INSURED
CORPORATE DEBT OBLIGATIONS ISSUED BY UTILITY COMPANIES. THE TRUST MAY ALSO
CONTAIN ZERO COUPON U.S. TREASURY OBLIGATIONS. THIS TRUST IS ONE OF THE NUVEEN
FOREIGN INVESTOR UNIT TRUSTS THAT ARE DESIGNED ESPECIALLY FOR NON-RESIDENT
ALIENS SEEKING INCOME EXEMPT FROM U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING.
    
Overview
 
The trust listed above (the "Trust") is a unit investment trust designed to
provide a high level of current income consistent with preservation of capital,
through investment in a portfolio consisting primarily of corporate debt
obligations issued by utility companies (the "Corporate Bonds") and zero coupon
U.S. Treasury Obligations (which will represent less than 20% of the principal
amount of securities deposited in the Trust) (collectively, the "Bonds").
Insurance guaranteeing the scheduled payment of principal and interest on all of
the Corporate Bonds in the Trust has been obtained directly by the issuer of
such Bonds or by the Sponsor from MBIA Insurance Corporation. THE INSURANCE DOES
NOT RELATE TO THE UNITS OFFERED HEREBY OR TO THEIR MARKET VALUE. As a result of
such insurance, the Corporate Bonds are rated "AAA" by Standard & Poor's. In
addition, the Trust is available to non-resident aliens, and the income from the
Trust, provided certain conditions are met, will be exempt from withholding for
U.S. federal income tax for such foreign investors.
   
THIS PART A PROSPECTUS MAY NOT BE DISTRIBUTED UNLESS ACCOMPANIED BY THE FIXED
INCOME TRUST PROSPECTUS -- PART B WHICH IS DATED APRIL 8, 1998. PART B OF THIS
PROSPECTUS IS ATTACHED.
    
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 FDIC OR
ANY OTHER FEDERAL 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 NOR HAS THE COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY
OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
    
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                   <C>
 Contents
  1 OVERVIEW                                          5 INVESTING IN THE TRUST
  2 TRUST SUMMARY AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS            5 Sales Charges
  2 Essential Information                             6 Dealer Concessions
  3 Expense Information                               6 GENERAL INFORMATION
  4 TRUST STRATEGIES                                  6 Optional Features
  4 Investment Objective                              6 The Sponsor
  4 How the Trust Selects Investments                 7 SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
  4 RISK FACTORS                                      8 STATEMENT OF CONDITION
  4 DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES                           9 REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
  4 Interest and Principal Distributions
  5 Tax Status
</TABLE>
 
   
ECR-003-P 4/98
    
 
                                     ------
                                       1
<PAGE>
Nuveen Insured Corporate Trust, Series 3
(Long-Term)
 
   
           TRUST SUMMARY AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS as of April 7, 1998
    
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
 
   
Initial Date of Deposit:                                           April 8, 1998
    
   
Principal Amount of Securities:                                       $1,320,000
    
Principal Amount (Par Value) of
  Securities per Unit (1):                                              $100
 
   
Number of Units:                                                          13,200
    
   
Fractional Undivided Interest per Unit:  1/13,200
    
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
ESTIMATED RETURNS (2)
- ----------------------------------------------
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                CURRENT       LONG-TERM
                                RETURN         RETURN
<S>                           <C>          <C>
- ----------------------------------------------------
Monthly                             6.22%          6.16%
Quarterly                           6.26%          6.20%
Semi-Annual                         6.27%          6.22%
</TABLE>
    
 
- ----------------------------------------------
 
PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE (3)
   
Aggregate Offering Price of Securities:                               $1,284,023
    
   
Aggregate Offering Price of Securities per Unit: $97.27
    
   
  Plus Maximum Sales Charge per Unit:                                      $5.01
    
   
Public Offering Price per Unit:                                          $102.28
    
 
- ----------------------------------------------
 
ESTIMATED ANNUAL INCOME (4)
- ----------------------------------------------
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       SEMI-
                             MONTHLY     QUARTERLY    ANNUAL
<S>                        <C>          <C>          <C>
- ----------------------------------------------------
Gross Annual Income per
 Unit:                      $  6.5994    $  6.5994   $  6.5994
  Less Annual Expense per
    Unit:                   $   .2350    $   .2010   $   .1815
Net Annual Income per
  Unit:                     $  6.3644    $  6.3984   $  6.4179
</TABLE>
    
 
- ----------------------------------------------
 
ESTIMATED INTEREST DISTRIBUTIONS (4)
- ----------------------------------------------
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       PAYMENT
                                        DATE        PAYMENT
<S>                                  <C>          <C>
- ----------------------------------------------------
Initial Distributions
 (all plans)                            5/15/98    $   .4064
Monthly Plan                            6/15/98    $   .5031
Quarterly Plan
  Partial Payment                       8/15/98    $  1.5993
  Normal Payment                       11/15/98    $  1.5993
Semi-Annual Plan
  Partial Payment                      11/15/98    $  3.2076
  Normal Payment                        5/15/99    $  3.2076
</TABLE>
    
 
MATURITY (5)
   
Mandatory Termination Date:
  October 1, 2033
    
   
Dollar-Weighted Average Maturity: 28.1 years
    
 
- ----------------------------------------------
 
INSURANCE
All of the Corporate Bonds in the Trust are insured either by the issuer of the
Corporate Bonds or by the Sponsor under a financial guaranty insurance policy
obtained from MBIA Insurance Corporation ("MBIA"). The insurance guarantees the
scheduled payment of principal and interest on all of the Corporate Bonds in the
Trust. It does not guarantee the market value of the Bonds or the value of the
Units of the Trust. See "INSURANCE ON THE CORPORATE BONDS" in Part B of this
Prospectus for further information. Any U.S. Treasury Obligations in the Trust
are not insured.
 
- ----------------------------------------------
 
RATINGS
Corporate Bonds in the Trust for which insurance has been obtained by the issuer
or the Sponsor have been rated "AAA" by Standard & Poor's and "Aaa" by Moody's.
 
                                     ------
                                       2
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              EXPENSE INFORMATION
 
SALES CHARGES (MAXIMUM) (6)
As a % of Public Offering Price:                                           4.90%
Amount per $1,000 invested:                                               $49.00
- ----------------------------------------------
 
ESTIMATED ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES (7)
- ----------------------------------------------
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    SEMI-
                           MONTHLY    QUARTERLY    ANNUAL
<S>                       <C>        <C>          <C>
- ----------------------------------------------------
Trustee's Fee:            $  1.6123   $  1.2723   $  1.0773
Sponsor's Evaluation
  Fee:                    $    0.17   $    0.17   $    0.17
Organizational Expenses
  (per Unit)(8):          $  .02900   $  .02900   $  .02900
Total Annual Expenses
  (per Unit):             $   .2350   $   .2010   $   .1815
</TABLE>
    
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes to Essential Information and Expense Information:
 
All information provided is as of the day prior to the Initial Date of Deposit
and has been calculated for Unitholders receiving monthly, quarterly or
semi-annual distribution options.
 
(1) Because certain of the Bonds in the Trust may from time to time be sold or
    redeemed or will be called or mature in accordance with their terms, there
    is no guarantee that the amount of principal a Unitholder receives per Unit
    over the life of the Trust will be equal to the Principal Amount (Par Value)
    of Securities per Unit stated above.
 
(2) The actual returns an investor will receive will vary due to the maturity,
    redemption, call, exchange or sales of Bonds, changes in fees and expenses,
    changes in interest income, the market value of the Bonds on the date an
    investor purchases Units and how long Units are held. See "ESTIMATED LONG
    TERM RETURN AND ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN" in Part B of this Prospectus for
    information concerning how Estimated Returns are calculated.
 
   
(3) The Public Offering Price will vary from that shown above due to changes in
    the prices of the underlying Bonds subsequent to the Initial Date of
    Deposit. In addition to the Public Offering Price, investors must also pay
    accrued interest from the preceding Record Date to, but not including, the
    date of settlement (normally three business days after purchase). For Units
    purchased on the Initial Date of Deposit, $.11 per Unit of accrued interest
    will be added to the Public Offering Price. See "PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE" and
    "ACCRUED INTEREST," both in Part B of this Prospectus, for further
    information.
    
 
(4) The Estimated Income figures reflected above are estimates determined as of
    the business day prior to the Initial Date of Deposit and actual payments
    may vary. It is anticipated that the amount of interest to be distributed
    per Unit in each year will initially be substantially equal to the Estimated
    Net Annual Interest Income per Unit provided. The amount of interest to be
    distributed annually per Unit will generally change as Bonds are redeemed,
    called, mature or are sold or as fees and expenses increase or decrease. See
    "DISTRIBUTIONS TO UNITHOLDERS" in Part B of this Prospectus.
 
(5) The Mandatory Termination Date is shortly after the maturity date of the
    Bond in the Trust's portfolio with the longest stated maturity. The Trust
    may be terminated prior to the Mandatory Termination Date if all of the
    Bonds in the Trust are redeemed, called or sold, or if the principal value
    of the Trust is reduced below 20% of the aggregate principal amount of Bonds
    deposited in the Trust during the primary offering period. See "OTHER
    INFORMATION -- TERMINATION OF INDENTURE" in Part B of this Prospectus. The
    Dollar-Weighted Average Maturity of the 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
    Dollar-Weighted Average Maturity may increase or decrease from time to time
    as Bonds mature or are called or sold.
 
(6) The sales charge is reduced for certain purchasers and for single
    transactions of at least 500 Units or $50,000 (whichever is more favorable
    to the investor). See "Sales Charges" and "PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE" in Part B
    of this Prospectus.
 
(7) The Trustee's Fee and the Sponsor's Evaluation Fee are per $1,000 principal
    amount of the underlying Bonds in the Trust.
 
(8) The Trust (and therefore Unitholders) will bear all or a portion of its
    organizational and offering costs (but not the expenses incurred in the
    printing of preliminary and final prospectuses, nor the expenses incurred in
    the preparation and printing of brochures and other advertising materials or
    any other selling expenses), as is common for mutual funds. See "TRUST
    OPERATING EXPENSES" in Part B of this Prospectus and "Statement of
    Condition."
 
                                     ------
                                       3
<PAGE>
Trust Strategies
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
The Trust is designed to provide a high level of current income consistent with
preservation of capital provided primarily by an insured portfolio of corporate
debt obligations issued by utility companies, including telephone companies. The
Trust may also contain U.S. Treasury Obligations. There is no assurance that the
Trust will achieve its investment objective.
 
INVESTMENT PHILOSOPHY
   
The Trust is a non-managed investment vehicle and employs a buy and hold
investment strategy. The Trust plans to hold to maturity a portfolio of 9 Bonds.
    
 
INVESTOR SUITABILITY
The Trust is a suitable investment for investors seeking:
- - An opportunity for attractive, dependable income;
- - Insured, AAA-rated bonds;
- - A focus on long-term capital preservation;
- - Nuveen's professional research and selection;
- - An appropriate vehicle for retirement or other tax-deferred accounts;
- - Exemption from U.S. withholding for foreign (non-resident) investors that meet
  certain conditions.
 
The Trust is not a suitable investment for individuals seeking:
   
- - An aggressive high-growth investment strategy.
    
 
HOW THE TRUST SELECTS INVESTMENTS
   
The Trust consists of a portfolio of Bonds having a dollar-weighted average
maturity of 28.1 years.
    
 
In selecting the Bonds for deposit in the Trust, the following factors, among
others, were considered by the Sponsor: (a) the prices and yields of such Bonds
relative to other Bonds of similar quality and maturity, including the extent to
which such Bonds are traded at a premium or discount from par; (b) the present
rating and credit quality of the issuers of the Corporate Bonds and the
potential improvement in the credit quality of such issuers; (c) the
diversification of the Corporate Bonds as to location of issuer; (d) the income
to the Unitholders of the Trust; (e) whether the Bonds were issued after July
18, 1984; (f) the stated maturities and call provisions of the Bonds; (g)
whether the Corporate Bonds were issued by a utility company; and (h) whether
the Corporate Bonds were insured and the availability and cost of insurance for
the Corporate Bonds. A description of the Bonds included in the Trust is set
forth in the "Schedule of Investments," below.
 
Risk Factors
 
An investment in Units of the Trust should be made with an understanding of the
risks that an investment in fixed rate corporate debt obligations may entail.
These include credit risks and the risk that the value of the Bonds and
therefore the Units will decline, and may decline precipitously, with increases
in interest rates. Although in recent years interest rates have been relatively
stable, the high inflation of prior years, together with the fiscal measures
adopted in response to such inflation, have resulted in wide fluctuations in
interest rates and, thus, in the value of fixed rate debt obligations generally.
The Sponsor cannot predict future economic policies or their consequences or,
therefore, the course or extent of any similar market fluctuations in the
future. General problems of utility company issuers include the imposition of
additional federal, state and municipal governmental regulations, possible
deregulation and the impact of stranded costs, increased costs 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. As such, there is no guarantee that the Trust
will achieve its objective. See "RISK FACTORS" in Part B of this Prospectus.
 
   
Certain of the Bonds included in the Trust may be original issue discount bonds
or "zero coupon" bonds, as noted in the "Schedule of Investments." These Bonds
are subject to greater price fluctuations with changing interest rates and
contain additional risks set forth in "RISK FACTORS" in Part B of this
Prospectus.
    
 
Distributions and Taxes
 
INTEREST AND PRINCIPAL DISTRIBUTIONS
   
The Trustee of the Trust (The Chase Manhattan Bank) will collect principal and
interest on the Bonds as they come due and hold such amounts for distribution to
Unitholders. The amount of the estimated Net Annual Income per Unit under each
plan of distribution, as set forth under "Essential Information -- Estimated
Annual Income," assumes that all of the Bonds are delivered to the Trust. See
"COMPOSITION OF TRUSTS" appearing in Part B of this Prospectus. The amount of
each Interest Distribution on a per Unit basis under each plan of distribution
will decrease as the underlying Bonds mature, are called or are sold. Interest
income does not include accretion of original issue discount on "zero coupon"
Bonds. See "RISK FACTORS" in Part B of this Prospectus. Distributions of income
will be paid by the Trustee under each plan of distribution on the respective
Distribution Dates to Unitholders of record on the applicable Record Dates as
set forth under "DISTRIBUTIONS TO UNITHOLDERS" in Part B of this
    
 
                                     ------
                                       4
<PAGE>
Prospectus. Distributions of principal will be paid on the semi-annual
Distribution Date to Unitholders of record on the semi-annual Record Date,
provided the amount available for distribution equals at least $0.10 per Unit.
 
The amount of interest you will receive on an annual basis will be reduced by
the expenses of the Trust and will generally change as Securities mature, are
called or are sold or as fees and expenses increase or decrease.
 
TAX STATUS
For non-resident aliens, income from the Trust will be exempt from withholding
for U.S. federal income tax, PROVIDED certain conditions are met. See "TAX
STATUS" in Part B of this Prospectus for further tax information.
 
Investing in the Trust
 
SALES CHARGES
 
The maximum sales charge of 4.90% applies only to purchases of less than 500
Units. Sales charges for larger single transactions during the primary offering
period are as follows:
- ----------------------------------------------
 
PRIMARY MARKET SALES CHARGES
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        PERCENT OF    PERCENT OF
                                         OFFERING     NET AMOUNT
          NUMBER OF UNITS*                 PRICE       INVESTED
- -------------------------------------  -------------  -----------
<S>                                    <C>            <C>
Less than 500........................         4.90%        5.152%
500 but less than 1,000..............         4.75         4.987
1,000 but less than 2,500............         4.50         4.712
2,500 but less than 5,000............         4.25         4.439
5,000 but less than 10,000...........         3.50         3.627
10,000 but less than 25,000..........         3.00         3.093
25,000 but less than 50,000..........         2.50         2.564
50,000 or more.......................         2.00         2.041
Wrap Accounts........................         1.70         1.729
</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 sales charge assessed on Units sold in secondary market transactions is
determined in accordance with the table set forth below based upon the dollar
amount purchased and the number of years remaining to the maturity of each Bond.
See "PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE" in Part B of this Prospectus.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
SECONDARY MARKET SALES CHARGES
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                AMOUNT OF PURCHASE
                       ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          UNDER       $50,000 TO   $100,000 TO   $250,000 TO   $500,000 TO   $1,000,000 TO   $2,500,000 TO
  YEARS TO MATURITY      $50,000       $99,999       $249,999      $499,999      $999,999      $2,499,999      $4,999,999
- ---------------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  --------------  --------------
<S>                    <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>             <C>
Less than 1..........       0             0            0             0             0              0               0
1 but less than 2....       1.523%        1.446%       1.369 %       1.317 %       1.215 %        1.061 %         0.900 %
2 but less than 3....       2.041         1.937        1.833         1.729         1.626          1.420           1.225
3 but less than 4....       2.564         2.433        2.302         2.175         2.041          1.781           1.546
4 but less than 5....       3.093         2.961        2.828         2.617         2.459          2.175           1.883
5 but less than 7....       3.627         3.433        3.239         3.093         2.881          2.460           2.165
7 but less than 10...       4.167         3.951        3.734         3.520         3.239          2.828           2.489
10 but less than 13..       4.712         4.467        4.221         4.004         3.788          3.253           2.842
13 but less than 16..       5.263         4.988        4.712         4.439         4.167          3.627           3.169
16 or more...........       5.820         5.542        5.263         4.987         4.603          4.004           3.500
 
<CAPTION>
 
                         $5,000,000
  YEARS TO MATURITY       OR MORE
- ---------------------  --------------
<S>                    <C>
Less than 1..........       0
1 but less than 2....       0.750 %
2 but less than 3....       1.030
3 but less than 4....       1.310
4 but less than 5....       1.590
5 but less than 7....       1.870
7 but less than 10...       2.150
10 but less than 13..       2.430
13 but less than 16..       2.710
16 or more...........       3.000
</TABLE>
    
 
                                     ------
                                       5
<PAGE>
DEALER CONCESSIONS
The Sponsor plans to allow a discount to dealer firms in connection with the
primary distribution of Units and also in secondary market transactions. The
primary market discounts, based on the number of Units sold, are as follows:
 
- ----------------------------------------------
 
PRIMARY MARKET DEALER CONCESSIONS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  DISCOUNT PER
                NUMBER OF UNITS*                      UNIT
- ------------------------------------------------  -------------
<S>                                               <C>
Less than 500...................................    $    3.20
500 but less than 1,000.........................         3.20
1,000 but less than 2,500.......................         3.20
2,500 but less than 5,000.......................         3.20
5,000 but less than 10,000......................         2.50
10,000 but less than 25,000.....................         2.00
25,000 but less than 50,000.....................         1.75
50,000 or more..................................         1.75
</TABLE>
 
Dealer concessions on secondary market purchases of Trust Units through the
Sponsor are based upon the value of the Bonds in the Trust portfolio, including
sales charges, adjusted to reflect cash in the Trust's principal account, and
will vary with the size of the purchases as shown in the following table:
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
SECONDARY MARKET DEALER CONCESSIONS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  AMOUNT OF PURCHASE
                       --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          UNDER       $50,000 TO    $100,000 TO    $250,000 TO    $500,000 TO    $1,000,000 TO   $2,500,000 TO
  YEARS TO MATURITY      $50,000       $99,999       $249,999       $499,999       $999,999       $2,499,999       $4,999,999
- ---------------------  ------------  ------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  ---------------  --------------
<S>                    <C>           <C>           <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>              <C>
Less than 1..........        0             0             0              0              0               0              0
1 but less than 2....        1.00%         0.90%         0.85%          0.80%          0.70%           0.55%          0.467 %
2 but less than 3....        1.30          1.20          1.10           1.00           0.90            0.73           0.634
3 but less than 4....        1.60          1.45          1.35           1.25           1.10            0.90           0.781
4 but less than 5....        2.00          1.85          1.75           1.55           1.40            1.25           1.082
5 but less than 7....        2.30          2.15          1.95           1.80           1.65            1.50           1.320
7 but less than 10...        2.60          2.45          2.25           2.10           1.95            1.70           1.496
10 but less than 13..        3.00          2.80          2.60           2.45           2.30            2.00           1.747
13 but less than 16..        3.25          3.15          3.00           2.75           2.50            2.15           1.878
16 or more...........        3.50          3.50          3.40           3.35           3.00            2.50           2.185
 
<CAPTION>
 
                         $5,000,000
  YEARS TO MATURITY       OR MORE
- ---------------------  --------------
<S>                    <C>
Less than 1..........       0
1 but less than 2....       0.389 %
2 but less than 3....       0.538
3 but less than 4....       0.662
4 but less than 5....       0.914
5 but less than 7....       1.140
7 but less than 10...       1.292
10 but less than 13..       1.494
13 but less than 16..       1.606
16 or more...........       1.873
</TABLE>
 
General Information
 
OPTIONAL FEATURES
 
REDEMPTIONS
Units may be redeemed on any business day at no charge. Units are redeemed at
their current market value. See "REDEMPTION" in Part B of this Prospectus.
 
LETTER OF INTENT (LOI)
Investors may use a Letter of Intent to get reduced sales charges on purchases
made over a 13-month period (and to take advantage of dollar cost averaging).
The minimum LOI investment is $50,000. See "PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE" in Part B of
this Prospectus.
 
REINVESTMENT
Interest income and returned principal can be reinvested with no sales charge
into Nuveen mutual or money market funds. See "ACCUMULATION PLAN" in Part B of
this Prospectus. For more information, obtain a prospectus from your financial
adviser.
 
THE SPONSOR
Since our founding in 1898, John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated has been synonymous
with investments that withstand the test of time. Today, we offer a range of
equity and fixed-income unit trusts designed to suit the unique circumstances
and financial planning needs of mature investors. More than 1.3 million
investors have trusted Nuveen to help them maintain the life-style they
currently enjoy.
 
The prospectus describes in detail the investment objectives, policies and risks
of this unit trust. We invite you to discuss the contents with your financial
adviser, or you may call us at 800-257-8787 for additional information.
 
                                     ------
                                       6
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
              NUVEEN INSURED CORPORATE TRUST, SERIES 3 (LONG-TERM)
                         (Nuveen Unit Trusts, Series 9)
     Schedule of Investments at the Initial Date of Deposit, April 8, 1998
    
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                              RATING(2)
                                                                                                        ---------------------
 AGGREGATE                                                                              REDEMPTION      STANDARD &
 PRINCIPAL                                 NAME OF ISSUER (1)(6)                      PROVISIONS(3)       POOR'S     MOODY'S
<C>           <S>        <C>                                                        <C>                 <C>         <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         United States of America Treasury Securities, Stripped
                         Principal Payments, 0.00% Due 8/15/22.                      No Optional Call      N/A         N/A
$    120,000
                         Bellsouth Telecommunications Company, 7.50% Due 6/15/33.     2003 at 104.75       AAA         Aaa
     150,000
                         Cincinnati Gas and Electric Company, 7.20% Due 10/1/23.      2003 at 103.54       AAA         Aaa
     150,000
                         New York Telephone Company, 7.25% Due 2/15/24.               2004 at 103.06       AAA         Aaa
     150,000
                         Pacific Bell Telephone Company, 7.375% Due 6/15/25.          2003 at 103.37       AAA         Aaa
     150,000
                         Public Service Electric and Gas Company, 7.00% Due
                         9/1/24.                                                      2003 at 102.74       AAA         Aaa
     150,000
                         Texas Utilities Electric Company, 7.375% Due 10/1/25.        2003 at 103.35       AAA         Aaa
     150,000
                         US West Communications Company, 6.875% Due 9/15/33.          2003 at 101.95       AAA         Aaa
     150,000
                         Virginia Electric and Power Company, 7.50% Due 6/1/23.       2003 at 103.16       AAA         Aaa
     150,000
- ------------
$  1,320,000
- ------------
- ------------
 
<CAPTION>
 AGGREGATE     COST OF BONDS
 PRINCIPAL      TO TRUST(4)
<C>           <C>
- ------------
               $      28,534
$    120,000
                     160,427
     150,000
                     156,296
     150,000
                     158,097
     150,000
                     159,572
     150,000
                     153,896
     150,000
                     156,984
     150,000
                     149,732
     150,000
                     160,485
     150,000
              ---------------
- ------------
               $   1,284,023
$  1,320,000
              ---------------
              ---------------
- ------------
- ------------
</TABLE>
 
- -------------
   
(1)  The Sponsor's contracts to purchase the Bonds were entered into on April 7,
     1998. All Bonds are represented by regular way contracts, unless otherwise
     indicated, for the performance of which an irrevocable letter of credit has
     been deposited with the Trustee.
    
 
(2)  A brief description of the applicable Standard & Poor's and Moody's rating
     symbols and their meanings is set forth under "DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS" in
     the Information Supplement to this Prospectus. "N.R." indicates that the
     issue has not been rated by that rating agency.
 
(3)  Under this heading, the year in which each issue of Bonds is initially or
     currently redeemable and the redemption price for that year is shown.
     Unless otherwise indicated, each issue continues to be redeemable at
     declining prices thereafter, but not at a price below par value. The prices
     at which the Bonds may be redeemed or called prior to maturity may or may
     not include a premium and, in certain cases, may be less than the cost of
     the Bonds to the Trust. In addition, certain Bonds in the portfolio may be
     redeemed in whole or in part other than by operation of the stated
     redemption provisions under certain unusual or extraordinary circumstances
     specified in the instruments setting forth the terms and provisions of such
     Bonds.
 
(4)  During the Initial Offering Period, evaluations of Bonds are made on the
     basis of current offering side evaluations of the Bonds.
 
(5)  This Bond has been purchased at a deep discount from the par value because
     there is no stated interest income thereon. Bonds which pay no interest are
     normally described as "zero coupon" bonds. Over the life of Bonds purchased
     at a deep discount, the value of such Bonds will increase such that upon
     maturity the holders of such securities will receive 100% of the principal
     amount thereof.
 
(6)  Other information regarding the Bonds in the Trust on the Initial Date of
     Deposit is as follows:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                 ANNUAL
                                                                                   PROFIT       INTEREST     BID PRICE
                                                                     COST TO     (OR LOSS)     INCOME TO        OF
                              TRUST                                  SPONSOR     TO SPONSOR      TRUST         BONDS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------  -----------  ------------  ------------  -----------
<S>                                                                <C>          <C>           <C>           <C>
Nuveen Insured Corporate Trust, Series 3 (Long-Term).............  $ 1,273,811   $   10,212    $   87,113   $ 1,279,223
</TABLE>
    
 
    In addition, the difference between the Trustee's determination of Offering
    Price and Bid Price (as a percentage of principal amount) is .36% for the
    Trust.
 
                                     ------
                                       7
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
              NUVEEN INSURED CORPORATE TRUST, SERIES 3 (LONG-TERM)
                         (Nuveen Unit Trusts, Series 9)
          Statement of Condition at the Date of Deposit, April 8, 1998
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                              <C>
TRUST PROPERTY
Sponsor's contracts to purchase Bonds, backed by an irrevocable letter of
  credit(1)(2).................................................................  $1,284,023
Accrued interest to April 8, 1998 on underlying Bonds(1).......................      14,737
Organizational costs(3)........................................................      29,000
                                                                                 ----------
             Total.............................................................  $1,327,760
                                                                                 ----------
                                                                                 ----------
 
LIABILITIES AND INTEREST OF UNITHOLDERS
LIABILITIES:
    Accrued interest to April 8, 1998 on underlying Bonds(4)...................  $   14,737
    Accrued organizational costs(3)............................................      29,000
                                                                                 ----------
             Total.............................................................  $   43,737
                                                                                 ----------
                                                                                 ----------
INTEREST OF UNITHOLDERS:
    Units of fractional undivided interest outstanding (13,200)
    Cost to investors(5).......................................................  $1,350,176
        Less: Gross underwriting commission(6).................................     (66,153)
                                                                                 ----------
    Net amount applicable to investors.........................................  $1,284,023
                                                                                 ----------
             Total.............................................................  $1,327,760
                                                                                 ----------
                                                                                 ----------
</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 Initial 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 Initial Date of Deposit. At the
    Initial Date of Deposit, Securities 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 Initial Date of Deposit of
    the Bonds listed under "SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS" herein, and their aggregate
    cost to the Trust is 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 Initial Date of Deposit. (See
    "EVALUATION OF SECURITIES AT THE INITIAL DATE OF DEPOSIT" in Part B of this
    Prospectus.)
 
(3)  The Trust (and therefore Unitholders) will bear all or a portion of its
    estimated organizational costs which will be deferred and amortized over the
    life of the Trust.
 
(4)  Representing, as set forth in "ACCRUED INTEREST" in Part B of this
    Prospectus, advancement by the Trustee of an amount equal to the accrued
    Bond interest as of the Initial Date of Deposit.
 
(5)  Aggregate Public Offering Price (exclusive of accrued interest) computed as
    set forth under "PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE" in Part B of this Prospectus.
 
(6)  The gross underwriting commission of 4.9% 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 "PUBLIC
    OFFERING PRICE" in Part B of this Prospectus.)
 
                                     ------
                                       8
<PAGE>
Report of Independent Public Accountants
 
   
TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF JOHN NUVEEN & CO. INCORPORATED AND UNITHOLDERS OF
NUVEEN UNIT TRUSTS, SERIES 9:
    
 
   
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 Nuveen
Unit Trusts, Series 9 (Nuveen Insured Corporate Trust, Series 3 (Long-Term)), 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 Nuveen Unit Trusts, Series 9 (Nuveen Insured Corporate
Trust, Series 3 (Long-Term)), as of April 8, 1998, in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles.
    
 
                                                   ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 
   
Chicago, Illinois,
April 8, 1998.
    
 
                                     ------
                                       9
<PAGE>
                             SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
                                 APRIL 8, 1998
     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.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                   <C>
NUVEEN                Nuveen U.S.
Unit Trusts           Treasury Trust,
                      Series 5
                      (Short-Term)
 
                      CUSIP: 67090E
                      224-MONTHLY
                      CUSIP: 67090E
                      232-QUARTERLY
                      CUSIP: 67090E
                      240-SEMI-ANNUAL
PROSPECTUS PART A DATED APRIL 8, 1998
</TABLE>
 
A NUVEEN UNIT TRUST WITH A DOLLAR-WEIGHTED AVERAGE MATURITY OF 2.9 YEARS FOR
INDIVIDUAL INVESTORS SEEKING CURRENT INTEREST INCOME CONSISTENT WITH
PRESERVATION OF CAPITAL AND INVESTMENT FLEXIBILITY PROVIDED BY A LADDERED
PORTFOLIO OF U.S. TREASURY OBLIGATIONS. THIS TRUST IS ONE OF THE NUVEEN FOREIGN
INVESTOR UNIT TRUSTS THAT ARE DESIGNED ESPECIALLY FOR NON-RESIDENT ALIENS
SEEKING INCOME EXEMPT FROM U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING.
 
Overview
 
The trust listed above (the "Trust") is a unit investment trust designed to
provide current interest income consistent with preservation of capital and
investment flexibility. The Trust consists of a portfolio of U.S. Treasury
Obligations that are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States
Government. The Trust passes through to Unitholders in all states the exemption
from state and local personal income taxes afforded to direct owners of U.S.
Treasury Obligations. In addition, the Trust is available to non-resident
aliens, and the income from the Trust, provided certain conditions are met, will
be exempt from withholding for U.S. federal income tax for such foreign
investors.
 
THIS PART A PROSPECTUS MAY NOT BE DISTRIBUTED UNLESS ACCOMPANIED BY THE FIXED
INCOME TRUST PROSPECTUS -- PART B WHICH IS DATED APRIL 8, 1998.
 
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 FDIC OR
ANY OTHER FEDERAL 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 NOR HAS THE COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY
OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                   <C>
 Contents
  1 OVERVIEW                                          5 INVESTING IN THE TRUST
  2 TRUST SUMMARY AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS            5 Sales Charges
  2 Essential Information                             5 Dealer Concessions
  3 Expense Information                               5 GENERAL INFORMATION
  4 TRUST STRATEGIES                                  5 Optional Features
  4 Investment Objective                              5 The Sponsor
  4 How the Trust Selects Investments                 6 SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
  4 RISK FACTORS                                      7 STATEMENT OF CONDITION
  4 DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES                           8 REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
  4 Interest and Principal Distributions
  5 Tax Status
</TABLE>
 
ETR-SH-005-P 4/98
 
                                     ------
                                       1
<PAGE>
Nuveen U.S. Treasury Trust, Series 5 (Short-Term)
 
           TRUST SUMMARY AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS as of April 7, 1998
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
 
Initial Date of Deposit:                                           April 8, 1998
Principal Amount of Securities:                                         $500,000
Principal Amount (Par Value) of
  Securities per Unit(1):                                                   $100
 
Number of Units:                                                           5,000
Fractional Undivided Interest per Unit:                                  1/5,000
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
ESTIMATED RETURNS (2)
- ----------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       CURRENT      LONG-TERM
                                       RETURN        RETURN
<S>                                  <C>          <C>
- ----------------------------------------------------------
Monthly                                    4.58%         4.66%
Quarterly                                  4.59%         4.67%
Semi-Annual                                4.61%         4.69%
</TABLE>
 
- ----------------------------------------------
 
PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE (3)
Aggregate Offering Price of Securities:                                 $490,941
Aggregate Offering Price of Securities per Unit: $98.19
  Plus Maximum Sales Charge per Unit:                                      $1.75
Public Offering Price per Unit:                                           $99.94
 
- ----------------------------------------------
 
ESTIMATED ANNUAL INCOME (4)
- ----------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           SEMI-
                                  MONTHLY    QUARTERLY    ANNUAL
<S>                              <C>        <C>          <C>
- ----------------------------------------------------------
Gross Annual Income per Unit:    $  4.7775   $  4.7775   $  4.7775
  Less Annual Expense per Unit:  $   .2002   $   .1882   $   .1687
Net Annual Income per Unit:      $  4.5773   $  4.5893   $  4.6088
</TABLE>
 
- ----------------------------------------------
 
- ----------------------------------------------
 
MATURITY (5)
 
Mandatory Termination Date: March 1, 2002
Dollar-Weighted Average Maturity: 2.9 years
The Trust is composed of a laddered portfolio of U.S. Treasury Obligations that
mature from February 15, 2000 through February 28, 2002.
 
- ----------------------------------------------
 
CREDIT QUALITY
The U.S. Treasury Obligations underlying the Trust are direct obligations of the
United States and are backed by its full faith and credit, although the Units of
the Trust are not so backed. U.S. Treasury Obligations are not rated, but in the
opinion of the Sponsor have credit characteristics comparable to those of
securities rated "AAA" by nationally recognized rating agencies.
 
- ----------------------------------------------
 
RATINGS
Units of the Trust have received a rating of "AAA" by Standard & Poor's. The
rating is applicable for the first 13 months following the Initial Date of
Deposit.
 
ESTIMATED CASH FLOWS
The tables below set forth the estimated distributions per Unit of interest and
principal to Unitholders under each plan of distribution. The tables assume no
changes in Trust expenses, no redemptions or sales of the underlying U.S.
Treasury Obligations prior to maturity and the receipt of all principal due upon
maturity. To the extent the foregoing assumptions change, actual distributions
will vary. There is no guarantee that the principal amount distributed to a
Unitholder by the Trust will be equivalent to the investor's original
investment.
- ----------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<S>                          <C>         <C>
MONTHLY
                               INTEREST  PRINCIPAL
                              DISTRIBU-  DISTRIBU-
DATES                              TION    TION
- ---------------------------------------------------
5/15/98                       $0.2923
6/15/98-2/15/00                   .3813
2/22/00                                    $20.00
3/15/00-8/15/00                0.3063
8/22/00                                     20.00
9/15/00-2/15/01                0.2295
2/22/01                                     20.00
3/15/01-8/15/01                0.1554
8/22/01                                     20.00
9/15/01-2/15/02                0.0798
2/22/02                                      4.00
3/7/02                         0.0798       16.00
QUARTERLY
                               INTEREST   PRINCIPAL
                              DISTRIBU-   DISTRIBU-
DATES                              TION        TION
- ---------------------------------------------------
5/15/98                       $0.2923
8/15/98-2/15/00                1.1466
2/22/00                                    $20.00
5/15/00-8/15/00                0.9216
8/22/00                                     20.00
11/15/00-2/15/01               0.6903
2/22/01                                     20.00
5/15/01-8/15/01                0.4671
8/22/01                                     20.00
11/15/01-2/15/02               0.2403
2/22/02                                      4.00
3/07/02                        0.0798       16.00
SEMI-ANNUAL
                               INTEREST   PRINCIPAL
                              DISTRIBU-   DISTRIBU-
DATES                              TION        TION
- ---------------------------------------------------
5/15/98                       $0.2923
11/15/98-11/15/99              2.3040
2/22/00                                    $20.00
5/15/00                        2.0772
8/22/00                                     20.00
11/15/00                       1.6182
2/22/01                                     20.00
5/15/01                        1.1628
8/22/01                                     20.00
11/15/01                       0.7092
2/22/02                                      4.00
3/7/02                         0.3192       16.00
</TABLE>
 
- ----------------------------------------------------------
 
                                     ------
                                       2
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              EXPENSE INFORMATION
 
SALES CHARGES (MAXIMUM) (6)
 
As a % of Public Offering Price:                                           1.75%
Amount per $1,000 invested                                                $17.50
 
ESTIMATED ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES (7)
- ----------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        SEMI-
                               MONTHLY    QUARTERLY     ANNUAL
<S>                           <C>         <C>         <C>
- ----------------------------------------------------------
Trustee's Fee:                $   1.2841  $   1.1641  $   0.9691
Sponsor's Evaluation Fee:     $     0.17  $     0.17  $     0.17
Organizational Costs (per
  Unit)(8):                   $   .02364  $   .02364  $   .02364
Total Annual Expenses (per
  Unit):                      $    .2002  $    .1882  $    .1687
</TABLE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Notes to Essential Information and Expense Information:
 
All information provided is as of the day prior to the Initial Date of Deposit
and has been calculated for Unitholders receiving monthly, quarterly or
semi-annual distribution options.
 
(1) Because certain of the Securities in the Trust may from time to time be sold
    or will mature in accordance with these terms, there is no guarantee that
    the value of each Unit at the Trust's termination will be equal to the
    Principal Amount (Par Value) of Securities per Unit stated above.
 
(2) The actual returns an investor will receive will vary due to the maturity,
    exchange or sales of Securities, changes in fees and expenses, changes in
    interest income, the market value of the Securities on the date an investor
    purchases Units and how long Units are held. See "ESTIMATED LONG TERM RETURN
    AND ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN" in Part B of this Prospectus for information
    concerning how Estimated Returns are calculated.
 
(3) The Public Offering Price will vary from that shown above due to changes in
    the prices of the underlying Securities subsequent to the Initial Date of
    Deposit. In addition to the Public Offering Price, investors must also pay
    accrued interest from the preceding Record Date to, but not including, the
    date of settlement (normally three business days after purchase). For Units
    purchased on the Initial Date of Deposit, $.08 per Unit of accrued interest
    will be added to the Public Offering Price. See "PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE" and
    "ACCRUED INTEREST," both in Part B of this Prospectus, for further
    information.
 
(4) The Estimated Income figures reflected above are estimates determined as of
    the business day prior to the Initial Date of Deposit and actual payments
    may vary. It is anticipated that the amount of interest to be distributed
    per Unit in each year will initially be substantially equal to the Estimated
    Net Annual Interest Income per Unit provided. The amount of interest to be
    distributed annually per Unit will generally change as Securities are
    redeemed, mature or are sold or as fees and expenses increase or decrease.
    See "DISTRIBUTIONS TO UNITHOLDERS" in Part B of this Prospectus.
 
(5) The Mandatory Termination Date is shortly after the maturity date of the
    Security in the Trust's portfolio with the longest stated maturity. The
    Trust may be terminated prior to the Mandatory Termination Date if all of
    the Securities are redeemed or sold or if the principal value of the Trust
    is reduced below 20% of the aggregate principal amount of Securities
    deposited in the Trust during the primary offering period. See "OTHER
    INFORMATION -- TERMINATION OF INDENTURE" in Part B of this Prospectus. The
    Dollar-Weighted Average Maturity of the Securities in the Trust is
    calculated based upon the stated maturities of the Securities in the Trust
    (or, with respect to Securities for which funds or securities have been
    placed in escrow to redeem such Securities on a stated call date, based upon
    such call date). The Dollar-Weighted Average Maturity may increase or
    decrease from time to time as Securities mature or are sold.
 
(6) The sales charge is reduced for certain purchasers and for single
    transactions of at least 5,000 Units or $500,000 (whichever is more
    favorable to the investor). See "Sales Charges" and "PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE"
    in Part B of this Prospectus.
 
(7) The Trustee's Fee and the Sponsor's Evaluation Fee are per $1,000 principal
    amount of the underlying Securities in the Trust.
 
(8) The Trust (and therefore Unitholders) will bear all or a portion of its
    organizational and offering costs (but not the expenses incurred in the
    printing of preliminary and final prospectuses, nor the expenses incurred in
    the preparation and printing of brochures and other advertising materials or
    any other selling expenses), as is common for mutual funds. See "TRUST
    OPERATING EXPENSES" in Part B of this Prospectus and "Statement of
    Condition."
 
                                     ------
                                       3
<PAGE>
Trust Strategies
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
The Trust is designed to provide current interest income consistent with
preservation of capital and investment flexibility. There is no assurance that
the Trust will achieve its investment objective.
 
INVESTMENT PHILOSOPHY
 
The Trust is a non-managed investment vehicle and employs a buy and hold
investment strategy. The Trust plans to hold to maturity a laddered portfolio of
10 U.S. Treasury Obligations with varying yields and maturities. The Trust is
designed to help protect investors against changing interest rates by seeking to
return approximately 20% of the principal amount of the Trust semi-annually,
commencing on February 15, 2000.
 
INVESTOR SUITABILITY
 
The Trust is a suitable investment for safety-conscious investors seeking:
 
- - Attractive, dependable income exempt from state and local personal income
  taxes;
 
- - Preservation of investment capital over time through owning
  government-guaranteed U.S. Treasuries;
 
- - Reduced interest rate risk through owning a laddered portfolio;
 
- - Income exempt from U.S. withholding for foreign (non-resident) investors that
  meet certain conditions;
 
- - Nuveen's professional securities selection;
 
- - Predictable payment of principal.
 
The Trust is not a suitable investment for individuals seeking to:
 
- - Pursue an aggressive high-growth investment strategy;
 
- - Invest in a long-term investment product.
 
HOW THE TRUST SELECTS INVESTMENTS
 
The Trust consists of a portfolio of U.S. Treasury Obligations with differing
maturities which have a dollar-weighted average maturity of 2.9 years.
 
In selecting U.S. Treasury Obligations (the "Securities") for deposit in the
Trust, the following factors, among others, were considered by the Sponsor: (a)
the types of such obligations available; (b) the prices and yields of such
obligations relative to other comparable obligations, including the extent to
which such obligations are traded at a premium or discount from par; and (c) the
maturities of such obligations. A description of the U.S. Treasury Obligations
included in the Trust is set forth in the "Schedule of Investments," below.
 
Risk Factors
 
An investment in Units of the Trust should be made with an understanding of the
risks that an investment in fixed rate debt obligations may entail. These
include the risk that the value of the U.S. Treasury Obligations and the Units
will decline with increases in interest rates. Although in recent years interest
rates have been relatively stable, the high inflation of prior years, together
with the fiscal measures adopted in response to such inflation, have resulted in
wide fluctuations in interest rates and, thus, in the value of fixed rate debt
obligations generally. The Sponsor cannot predict whether such fluctuations will
exist in the future. As such, there is no guarantee that the Trust will achieve
its objective.
 
Certain of the Securities included in the Trust may be original issue discount
securities or "zero coupon" securities, as noted in the "Schedule of
Investments." These Securities are subject to greater price fluctuations with
changing interest rates and contain additional risks set forth in "RISK FACTORS"
in Part B of this Prospectus.
 
Distributions and Taxes
 
INTEREST AND PRINCIPAL DISTRIBUTIONS
 
The Trustee of the Trust (The Chase Manhattan Bank) will collect principal and
interest on the Securities as they come due and hold such amounts for
distribution to Unitholders. The amount of the estimated Net Annual Income per
Unit under each plan of distribution, as set forth under "Essential Information
- -- Estimated Annual Income," assumes that all of the Securities are delivered to
the Trust. See "COMPOSITION OF TRUSTS" appearing in Part B of this Prospectus.
The amount of each Interest Distribution on a per Unit basis under each plan of
distribution will decrease as the underlying Securities mature or are sold.
Interest income does not include accretion of original issue discount on "zero
coupon" Securities. See "RISK FACTORS" in Part B of this Prospectus.
Distributions of income will be paid by the Trustee under each plan of
distribution on the respective Distribution Dates to Unitholders of record on
the applicable Record Dates as set forth under "DISTRIBUTIONS TO UNITHOLDERS" in
Part B of this Prospectus. Distributions of principal will be paid, within five
business days after a Security matures, to Unitholders of record on such
maturity date.
 
There is no guarantee that the principal amount distributed to a Unitholder by
the Trust will be equivalent to the investor's original investment.
 
The amount of interest you will receive on an annual basis will be reduced by
the expenses of the Trust and will generally change as Securities mature or are
sold or as fees and expenses increase or decrease.
 
                                     ------
                                       4
<PAGE>
TAX STATUS
 
The Trust passes through to Unitholders in all states the exemption from state
and local personal income taxes afforded to direct owners of U.S. Treasury
Obligations. In addition, for non-resident aliens, income from the Trust will be
exempt from withholding for U.S. federal income tax, PROVIDED certain conditions
are met. See "TAX STATUS" in Part B of this Prospectus for further tax
information.
 
Investing in the Trust
 
SALES CHARGES
 
The maximum sales charge of 1.75% applies only to purchases of less than 5,000
Units. Sales charges for larger single transactions during the primary offering
period are as follows:
- ----------------------------------------------
 
PRIMARY MARKET SALES CHARGES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         PERCENT OF    PERCENT OF
                                          OFFERING     NET AMOUNT
           NUMBER OF UNITS*                 PRICE       INVESTED
- --------------------------------------  -------------  -----------
<S>                                     <C>            <C>
Less than 5,000.......................         1.75%        1.781%
5,000 but less than 10,000............         1.50         1.523
10,000 but less than 25,000...........         1.25         1.266
25,000 but less than 50,000...........         1.00         1.010
50,000 or more........................         0.75         0.756
</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 5,000 Units to
$500,000, 10,000 Units to $1 million etc., and will be applied on that basis
which is more favorable to the purchaser.
 
The maximum sales charge assessed on Units sold in secondary market transactions
is 1.4% and may be reduced based upon the dollar amount purchased and the
maturities of the Securities. Certain classes of investors are entitled to
purchase Units at a reduced sales charge. See "PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE" in Part B
of this Prospectus.
 
DEALER CONCESSIONS
 
The Sponsor plans to allow a discount to dealer firms in connection with the
primary distribution of Units and also in secondary market transactions. The
primary market discounts, based on the number of Units sold, are as follows:
 
- ----------------------------------------------
 
PRIMARY MARKET DEALER CONCESSIONS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  DISCOUNT PER
                NUMBER OF UNITS*                      UNIT
- ------------------------------------------------  -------------
<S>                                               <C>
Less than 5,000.................................    $    1.00
5,000 but less than 10,000......................         0.90
10,000 but less than 25,000.....................         0.75
25,000 but less than 50,000.....................         0.60
50,000 or more..................................         0.45
</TABLE>
 
The maximum dealer concession on secondary market purchases of Trust Units
through the Sponsor is .910% and may be reduced based upon the dollar amount
purchased and the maturities of the Securities. See "DISTRIBUTIONS OF UNITS TO
THE PUBLIC" in Part B of this Prospectus.
 
General Information
 
OPTIONAL FEATURES
 
REDEMPTIONS
 
Units may be redeemed on any business day at no charge. Units are redeemed at
their current market value. See "REDEMPTION" in Part B of this Prospectus.
 
LETTER OF INTENT (LOI)
 
Investors may use a Letter of Intent to get reduced sales charges on purchases
made over a 13-month period (and to take advantage of dollar cost averaging).
The minimum LOI investment is $50,000. If an investor purchases only Nuveen
Treasury Unit Trusts, the benefit of an LOI will start at $500,000. See "PUBLIC
OFFERING PRICE" in Part B of this Prospectus.
 
REINVESTMENT
 
Interest income and returned principal can be reinvested with no sales charge
into Nuveen mutual or money market funds. See "ACCUMULATION PLAN" in Part B of
this Prospectus. For more information, obtain a prospectus from your financial
adviser.
 
THE SPONSOR
 
Since our founding in 1898, John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated has been synonymous
with investments that withstand the test of time. Today, we offer a range of
equity and fixed-income unit trusts designed to suit the unique circumstances
and financial planning needs of mature investors. More than 1.3 million
investors have trusted Nuveen to help them maintain the life-style they
currently enjoy.
 
The prospectus describes in detail the investment objectives, policies and risks
of this unit trust. We invite you to discuss the contents with your financial
adviser, or you may call us at 800-257-8787 for additional information.
 
                                     ------
                                       5
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
               NUVEEN U.S. TREASURY TRUST, SERIES 5 (SHORT-TERM)
                         (Nuveen Unit Trusts, Series 9)
     Schedule of Investments at the Initial Date of Deposit, April 8, 1998
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                        TRUSTEE'S
                                                                                                                      DETERMINATION
   FACE                                                                                                                OF OFFERING
  AMOUNT                                         DESCRIPTION                               COUPON       MATURITY        PRICE(1)
<C>         <C>        <S>                                                               <C>         <C>             <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$   80,000             U.S. Treasury Note                                                  5.875%     Due 02/15/00     $    80,638
    20,000             U.S. Treasury STRIPs(2)                                             0.00%      Due 02/15/00          18,103
    55,000             U.S. Treasury Note                                                  8.75%      Due 08/15/00          58,945
    45,000             U.S. Treasury STRIPs(2)                                             0.000%     Due 08/15/00          39,619
    60,000             U.S. Treasury Note                                                  7.75%      Due 02/15/01          63,545
    40,000             U.S. Treasury STRIPs(2)                                             0.000%     Due 02/15/01          34,268
    60,000             U.S. Treasury Note                                                  7.875%     Due 08/15/01          64,276
    40,000             U.S. Treasury STRIPs(2)                                             0.000%     Due 08/15/01          33,332
    20,000             U.S. Treasury STRIPs(2)                                             0.000%     Due 02/15/02          16,215
    80,000             U.S. Treasury Note                                                  6.25%      Due 02/28/02          82,000
- ----------                                                                                                           ---------------
$  500,000                                                                                                             $   490,941
- ----------                                                                                                           ---------------
- ----------                                                                                                           ---------------
</TABLE>
 
- -------------
 
(1)  The Sponsor's contracts to purchase U.S. Treasury Obligations were entered
     into on April 7, 1998. Other information regarding the U.S. Treasury
     Obligations in the Trust on the Date of Deposit is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                      ANNUAL
                                                                                       PROFIT        INTEREST     BID PRICE
                                                                        COST TO       (OR LOSS)      INCOME TO       OF
                               TRUST                                    SPONSOR      TO SPONSOR        TRUST     SECURITIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------  ---------------  -----------  -----------
<S>                                                                   <C>          <C>              <C>          <C>
Nuveen U.S. Treasury Trust, Series 5 (Short-Term)...................  $   490,764     $     177      $  23,888   $   490,316
</TABLE>
 
    In addition, the difference between the Trustee's determination of Offering
    Price and Bid Price (as a percentage of principal amount) is .13%.
 
(2)  This Security has been purchased at a deep discount from the par value
     because there is no stated interest income thereon. Securities which pay no
     interest are normally described as "zero coupon" securities. Over the life
     of Securities purchased at a deep discount the value of such Securities
     will increase such that upon maturity the holders of such securities will
     receive 100% of the principal amount thereof.
 
                                     ------
                                       6
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
               NUVEEN U.S. TREASURY TRUST, SERIES 5 (SHORT-TERM)
                         (Nuveen Unit Trusts, Series 9)
      Statement of Condition at the Initial Date of Deposit, April 8, 1998
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                              <C>
TRUST PROPERTY
Sponsor's contracts to purchase Securities, backed by an irrevocable letter of
  credit(1)(2).................................................................  $  490,941
Accrued interest to April 8, 1998 on underlying Securities(1)..................       3,243
Organizational costs(3)........................................................      13,300
                                                                                 ----------
             Total.............................................................  $  507,484
                                                                                 ----------
                                                                                 ----------
 
LIABILITIES AND INTEREST OF UNITHOLDERS
 
LIABILITIES:
    Accrued interest to April 8, 1998 on underlying Securities(4)..............  $    3,243
    Accrued organizational costs(3)............................................      13,300
                                                                                 ----------
             Total.............................................................  $   16,543
                                                                                 ----------
                                                                                 ----------
 
INTEREST OF UNITHOLDERS:
    Units of fractional undivided interest outstanding (5,000)
    Cost to investors(5).......................................................  $  499,685
        Less: Gross underwriting commission(6).................................      (8,744)
                                                                                 ----------
    Net amount applicable to investors.........................................  $  490,941
                                                                                 ----------
             Total.............................................................  $  507,484
                                                                                 ----------
                                                                                 ----------
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
 
(1)  Represented by contracts to purchase Securities 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 Initial Date of Deposit. The amount of such letter of
    credit and any cash deposited exceeds the amount necessary for the purchase
    of the Securities plus accrued interest to the Initial Date of Deposit. At
    the Initial Date of Deposit, Securities 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 Securities.
 
(2)  Aggregate value (at offering prices) as of the Initial Date of Deposit of
    the Securities listed under "SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS" herein, and their
    aggregate cost to the Trusts 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 Initial
    Date of Deposit. (See "EVALUATION OF SECURITIES AT THE INITIAL DATE OF
    DEPOSIT" in Part B of this Prospectus.)
 
(3)  The Trust (and therefore Unitholders) will bear all or a portion of its
    estimated organizational costs which will be deferred and amortized over the
    life of the Trust.
 
(4)  Representing, as set forth in "ACCRUED INTEREST" in Part B of this
    Prospectus, advancement by the Trustee of an amount equal to the accrued
    Securities' interest as of the Initial Date of Deposit.
 
(5)  Aggregate Public Offering Price (exclusive of accrued interest) computed as
    set forth under "PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE" in Part B of this Prospectus.
 
(6)  The gross underwriting commission of 1.75% 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 5,000 Units or more, the sales charge is reduced. (See "PUBLIC
    OFFERING PRICE" in Part B of this Prospectus.)
 
                                     ------
                                       7
<PAGE>
Report of Independent Public Accountants
 
TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF JOHN NUVEEN & CO. INCORPORATED AND UNITHOLDERS OF
NUVEEN UNIT TRUSTS, SERIES 9:
 
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 Nuveen
Unit Trusts, Series 9 (Nuveen U.S. Treasury Trust, Series 5 (Short-Term)), 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 Nuveen Unit Trusts, Series 9 (Nuveen U.S. Treasury Trust,
Series 5 (Short-Term)) as of April 8, 1998, in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles.
 
                                                   ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 
Chicago, Illinois
April 8, 1998.
 
                                     ------
                                       8
<PAGE>
                             SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
                                 APRIL 8, 1998
     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.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                   <C>
NUVEEN                Nuveen U.S.
Unit Trusts           Treasury Trust,
                      Series 6
                      (Intermediate)
 
                      CUSIP: 67090E
                      257-MONTHLY
                      CUSIP: 67090E
                      265-QUARTERLY
                      CUSIP: 67090E
                      273-SEMI-ANNUAL
PROSPECTUS PART A DATED APRIL 8, 1998
</TABLE>
 
A NUVEEN UNIT TRUST WITH A DOLLAR-WEIGHTED AVERAGE MATURITY OF 5.4 YEARS FOR
INDIVIDUAL INVESTORS SEEKING CURRENT INTEREST INCOME CONSISTENT WITH
PRESERVATION OF CAPITAL AND INVESTMENT FLEXIBILITY PROVIDED BY A LADDERED
PORTFOLIO OF U.S. TREASURY OBLIGATIONS. THIS TRUST IS ONE OF THE NUVEEN FOREIGN
INVESTOR UNIT TRUSTS THAT ARE DESIGNED ESPECIALLY FOR NON-RESIDENT ALIENS
SEEKING INCOME EXEMPT FROM U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING.
 
Overview
 
The trust listed above (the "Trust") is a unit investment trust designed to
provide current interest income consistent with preservation of capital and
investment flexibility. The Trust consists of a portfolio of U.S. Treasury
Obligations that are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States
Government. The Trust passes through to Unitholders in all states the exemption
from state and local personal income taxes afforded to direct owners of U.S.
Treasury Obligations. In addition, the Trust is available to non-resident
aliens, and the income from the Trust, provided certain conditions are met, will
be exempt from withholding for U.S. federal income tax for such foreign
investors.
 
THIS PART A PROSPECTUS MAY NOT BE DISTRIBUTED UNLESS ACCOMPANIED BY THE FIXED
INCOME TRUST PROSPECTUS -- PART B WHICH IS DATED APRIL 8, 1998.
 
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 FDIC OR
ANY OTHER FEDERAL 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 NOR HAS THE COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY
OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                   <C>
 Contents
  1 OVERVIEW                                          5 INVESTING IN THE TRUST
  2 TRUST SUMMARY AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS            5 Sales Charges
  2 Essential Information                             5 Dealer Concessions
  3 Expense Information                               5 GENERAL INFORMATION
  4 TRUST STRATEGIES                                  5 Optional Features
  4 Investment Objective                              5 The Sponsor
  4 How the Trust Selects Investments                 6 SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
  4 RISK FACTORS                                      7 STATEMENT OF CONDITION
  4 DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES                           8 REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
  4 Interest and Principal Distributions
  5 Tax Status
</TABLE>
 
ETR-IN-006-P 4/98
 
                                     ------
                                       1
<PAGE>
Nuveen U.S. Treasury Trust, Series 6 (Intermediate)
 
           TRUST SUMMARY AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS as of April 7, 1998
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
 
Initial Date of Deposit:                                           April 8, 1998
Principal Amount of Securities:                                         $500,000
Principal Amount (Par Value) of Securities
  per Unit (1):                                                             $100
 
Number of Units:                                                           5,000
Fractional Undivided Interest per Unit:                                  1/5,000
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
ESTIMATED RETURNS (2)
- ----------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       CURRENT      LONG-TERM
                                       RETURN        RETURN
<S>                                  <C>          <C>
- ----------------------------------------------------------
Monthly                                    5.07%         4.99%
Quarterly                                  5.08%         5.00%
Semi-Annual                                5.10%         5.02%
</TABLE>
 
- ----------------------------------------------
 
PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE (3)
Aggregate Offering Price of Securities:                                 $495,259
Aggregate Offering Price of Securities per Unit: $99.05
  Plus Maximum Sales Charge per Unit:                                      $1.76
Public Offering Price per Unit:                                          $100.81
 
- ----------------------------------------------
 
ESTIMATED ANNUAL INCOME (4)
- ----------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           SEMI-
                                  MONTHLY    QUARTERLY    ANNUAL
<S>                              <C>        <C>          <C>
- ----------------------------------------------------------
Gross Annual Income per Unit:    $  5.3263   $  5.3263   $  5.3263
  Less Annual Expense per Unit:  $   .2133   $   .2013   $   .1818
Net Annual Income per Unit:      $  5.1130   $  5.1250   $  5.1445
</TABLE>
 
- ----------------------------------------------
 
- ----------------------------------------------
 
MATURITY (5)
 
Mandatory Termination Date: September 1, 2004
Dollar-Weighted Average Maturity: 5.4 years
The Trust is composed of a laddered portfolio of U.S. Treasury Obligations that
mature from August 15, 2002 through August 15, 2004.
 
- ----------------------------------------------
 
CREDIT QUALITY
The U.S. Treasury Obligations underlying the Trust are direct obligations of the
United States and are backed by its full faith and credit, although the Units of
the Trust are not so backed. U.S. Treasury Obligations are not rated, but in the
opinion of the Sponsor have credit characteristics comparable to those of
securities rated "AAA" by nationally recognized rating agencies.
 
- ----------------------------------------------
 
RATINGS
Units of the Trust have received a rating of "AAA" by Standard & Poor's. The
rating is applicable for the first 13 months following the Initial Date of
Deposit.
 
ESTIMATED CASH FLOWS
The tables below set forth the estimated distributions per Unit of interest and
principal to Unitholders under each plan of distribution. The tables assume no
changes in Trust expenses, no redemptions or sales of the underlying U.S.
Treasury Obligations prior to maturity and the receipt of all principal due upon
maturity. To the extent the foregoing assumptions change, actual distributions
will vary. There is no guarantee that the principal amount distributed to a
Unitholder by the Trust will be equivalent to the investor's original
investment.
- ----------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<S>                          <C>         <C>
MONTHLY
                               INTEREST  PRINCIPAL
                              DISTRIBU-  DISTRIBU-
DATES                              TION    TION
- ---------------------------------------------------
5/15/98                       $0.3266
6/15/98-8/15/02                0.4260
8/22/02                                    $20.00
9/15/02-2/15/03                0.3393
2/22/03                                     20.00
3/15/03-4/15/03                0.2541
5/15/03-8/15/03                0.2550
8/22/03                                     20.00
9/15/03-2/15/04                0.1722
2/22/04                                     20.00
3/15/04-8/15/04                0.0873
8/22/04                        0.0436       20.00
QUARTERLY
                               INTEREST   PRINCIPAL
                              DISTRIBU-   DISTRIBU-
DATES                              TION        TION
- ---------------------------------------------------
5/15/98                       $0.3266
8/15/98-8/15/02               01.2807
8/22/02                                    $20.00
11/15/02-2/15/03               1.0197
2/22/03                                     20.00
5/15/03-8/15/03                0.7668
8/22/03                                     20.00
11/15/03-2/15/04               0.5175
2/22/04                                     20.00
5/15/04-8/15/04                0.2619
8/22/04                        0.0436       20.00
SEMI-ANNUAL
                               INTEREST   PRINCIPAL
                              DISTRIBU-   DISTRIBU-
DATES                              TION        TION
- ---------------------------------------------------
5/15/98                       $0.3266
11/15/98-5/15/02               2.5722
8/22/02                                    $20.00
11/15/02                       2.3094
2/22/03                                     20.00
5/15/03                        1.7928
8/22/03                                     20.00
11/15/03                       1.2888
2/22/04                                     20.00
5/15/04                        0.7830
8/22/04                        0.3055       20.00
</TABLE>
 
- ----------------------------------------------------------
 
                                     ------
                                       2
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              EXPENSE INFORMATION
 
SALES CHARGES (MAXIMUM) (6)
 
As a % of Public Offering Price:                                           1.75%
Amount per $1,000 invested                                                $17.50
 
ESTIMATED ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES (7)
- ----------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        SEMI-
                               MONTHLY    QUARTERLY     ANNUAL
<S>                           <C>         <C>         <C>
- ----------------------------------------------------------
Trustee's Fee:                $  1.3314   $  1.2114   $  1.0164
Sponsor's Evaluation Fee:     $  0.17     $  0.17     $  0.17
Organizational Costs (per
  Unit)(8):                   $   .03200  $   .03200  $   .03200
Total Annual Expenses (per
  Unit):                      $   .2133   $   .2013   $   .1818
</TABLE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Notes to Essential Information and Expense Information:
 
All information provided is as of the day prior to the Initial Date of Deposit
and has been calculated for Unitholders receiving monthly, quarterly or
semi-annual distribution options.
 
(1) Because certain of the Securities in the Trust may from time to time be sold
    or will mature in accordance with these terms, there is no guarantee that
    the value of each Unit at the Trust's termination will be equal to the
    Principal Amount (Par Value) of Securities per Unit stated above.
 
(2) The actual returns an investor will receive will vary due to the maturity,
    exchange or sales of Securities, changes in fees and expenses, changes in
    interest income, the market value of the Securities on the date an investor
    purchases Units and how long Units are held. See "ESTIMATED LONG TERM RETURN
    AND ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN" in Part B of this Prospectus for information
    concerning how Estimated Returns are calculated.
 
(3) The Public Offering Price will vary from that shown above due to changes in
    the prices of the underlying Securities subsequent to the Initial Date of
    Deposit. In addition to the Public Offering Price, investors must also pay
    accrued interest from the preceding Record Date to, but not including, the
    date of settlement (normally three business days after purchase). For Units
    purchased on the Initial Date of Deposit, $.09 per Unit of accrued interest
    will be added to the Public Offering Price. See "PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE" and
    "ACCRUED INTEREST," both in Part B of this Prospectus, for further
    information.
 
(4) The Estimated Income figures reflected above are estimates determined as of
    the business day prior to the Initial Date of Deposit and actual payments
    may vary. It is anticipated that the amount of interest to be distributed
    per Unit in each year will initially be substantially equal to the Estimated
    Net Annual Interest Income per Unit provided. The amount of interest to be
    distributed annually per Unit will generally change as Securities are
    redeemed, mature or are sold or as fees and expenses increase or decrease.
    See "DISTRIBUTIONS TO UNITHOLDERS" in Part B of this Prospectus.
 
(5) The Mandatory Termination Date is shortly after the maturity date of the
    Security in the Trust's portfolio with the longest stated maturity. The
    Trust may be terminated prior to the Mandatory Termination Date if all of
    the Securities are redeemed or sold or if the principal value of the Trust
    is reduced below 20% of the aggregate principal amount of Securities
    deposited in the Trust during the primary offering period. See "OTHER
    INFORMATION -- TERMINATION OF INDENTURE" in Part B of this Prospectus. The
    Dollar-Weighted Average Maturity of the Securities in the Trust is
    calculated based upon the stated maturities of the Securities in the Trust
    (or, with respect to Securities for which funds or securities have been
    placed in escrow to redeem such Securities on a stated call date, based upon
    such call date). The Dollar-Weighted Average Maturity may increase or
    decrease from time to time as Securities mature or are sold.
 
(6) The sales charge is reduced for certain purchasers and for single
    transactions of at least 5,000 Units or $500,000 (whichever is more
    favorable to the investor). See "Sales Charges" and "PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE"
    in Part B of this Prospectus.
 
(7) The Trustee's Fee and the Sponsor's Evaluation Fee are per $1,000 principal
    amount of the underlying Securities in the Trust.
 
(8) The Trust (and therefore Unitholders) will bear all or a portion of its
    organizational and offering costs (but not the expenses incurred in the
    printing of preliminary and final prospectuses, nor the expenses incurred in
    the preparation and printing of brochures and other advertising materials or
    any other selling expenses), as is common for mutual funds. See "TRUST
    OPERATING EXPENSES" in Part B of this Prospectus and "Statement of
    Condition."
 
                                     ------
                                       3
<PAGE>
Trust Strategies
 
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
 
The Trust is designed to provide current interest income consistent with
preservation of capital and investment flexibility. There is no assurance that
the Trust will achieve its investment objective.
 
INVESTMENT PHILOSOPHY
 
The Trust is a non-managed investment vehicle and employs a buy and hold
investment strategy. The Trust plans to hold to maturity a laddered portfolio of
10 U.S. Treasury Obligations with varying yields and maturities. The Trust is
designed to help protect investors against changing interest rates by seeking to
return approximately 20% of the principal amount of the Trust semi-annually,
commencing on August 15, 2002.
 
INVESTOR SUITABILITY
 
The Trust is a suitable investment for safety-conscious investors seeking:
 
- - Attractive, dependable income exempt from state and local personal income
  taxes;
 
- - Preservation of investment capital over time through owning
  government-guaranteed U.S. Treasuries;
 
- - Reduced interest rate risk through owning a laddered portfolio;
 
- - Income exempt from U.S. withholding for foreign (non-resident) investors that
  meet certain conditions;
 
- - Nuveen's professional securities selection;
 
- - Predictable payment of principal.
 
The Trust is not a suitable investment for individuals seeking to:
 
- - Pursue an aggressive high-growth investment strategy;
 
- - Invest in a long-term investment product.
 
HOW THE TRUST SELECTS INVESTMENTS
 
The Trust consists of a portfolio of U.S. Treasury Obligations with differing
maturities which have a dollar-weighted average maturity of 5.4 years.
 
In selecting U.S. Treasury Obligations (the "Securities") for deposit in the
Trust, the following factors, among others, were considered by the Sponsor: (a)
the types of such obligations available; (b) the prices and yields of such
obligations relative to other comparable obligations, including the extent to
which such obligations are traded at a premium or discount from par; and (c) the
maturities of such obligations. A description of the U.S. Treasury Obligations
included in the Trust is set forth in the "Schedule of Investments," below.
 
Risk Factors
 
An investment in Units of the Trust should be made with an understanding of the
risks that an investment in fixed rate debt obligations may entail. These
include the risk that the value of the U.S. Treasury Obligations and the Units
will decline with increases in interest rates. Although in recent years interest
rates have been relatively stable, the high inflation of prior years, together
with the fiscal measures adopted in response to such inflation, have resulted in
wide fluctuations in interest rates and, thus, in the value of fixed rate debt
obligations generally. The Sponsor cannot predict whether such fluctuations will
exist in the future. As such, there is no guarantee that the Trust will achieve
its objective.
 
Certain of the Securities included in the Trust may be original issue discount
securities or "zero coupon" securities, as noted in the "Schedule of
Investments." These Securities are subject to greater price fluctuations with
changing interest rates and contain additional risks set forth in "RISK FACTORS"
in Part B of this Prospectus.
 
Distributions and Taxes
 
INTEREST AND PRINCIPAL DISTRIBUTIONS
 
The Trustee of the Trust (The Chase Manhattan Bank) will collect principal and
interest on the Securities as they come due and hold such amounts for
distribution to Unitholders. The amount of the estimated Net Annual Income per
Unit under each plan of distribution, as set forth under "Essential Information
- -- Estimated Annual Income," assumes that all of the Securities are delivered to
the Trust. See "COMPOSITION OF TRUSTS" appearing in Part B of this Prospectus.
The amount of each Interest Distribution on a per Unit basis under each plan of
distribution will decrease as the underlying Securities mature or are sold.
Interest income does not include accretion of original issue discount on "zero
coupon" Securities. See "RISK FACTORS" in Part B of this Prospectus.
Distributions of income will be paid by the Trustee under each plan of
distribution on the respective Distribution Dates to Unitholders of record on
the applicable Record Dates as set forth under "DISTRIBUTIONS TO UNITHOLDERS" in
Part B of this Prospectus. Distributions of principal will be paid, within five
business days after a Security matures, to Unitholders of record on such
maturity date.
 
There is no guarantee that the principal amount distributed to a Unitholder by
the Trust will be equivalent to the investor's original investment.
 
The amount of interest you will receive on an annual basis will be reduced by
the expenses of the Trust and will generally change as Securities mature or are
sold or as fees and expenses increase or decrease.
 
                                     ------
                                       4
<PAGE>
TAX STATUS
 
The Trust passes through to Unitholders in all states the exemption from state
and local personal income taxes afforded to direct owners of U.S. Treasury
Obligations. In addition, for non-resident aliens, income from the Trust will be
exempt from withholding for U.S. federal income tax, PROVIDED certain conditions
are met. See "TAX STATUS" in Part B of this Prospectus for further tax
information.
 
Investing in the Trust
 
SALES CHARGES
 
The maximum sales charge of 1.75% applies only to purchases of less than 5,000
Units. Sales charges for larger single transactions during the primary offering
period are as follows:
- ----------------------------------------------
 
PRIMARY MARKET SALES CHARGES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         PERCENT OF    PERCENT OF
                                          OFFERING     NET AMOUNT
           NUMBER OF UNITS*                 PRICE       INVESTED
- --------------------------------------  -------------  -----------
<S>                                     <C>            <C>
Less than 5,000.......................         1.75%        1.781%
5,000 but less than 10,000............         1.50         1.523
10,000 but less than 25,000...........         1.25         1.266
25,000 but less than 50,000...........         1.00         1.010
50,000 or more........................         0.75         0.756
</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 5,000 Units to
$500,000, 10,000 Units to $1 million etc., and will be applied on that basis
which is more favorable to the purchaser.
 
The maximum sales charge assessed on Units sold in secondary market transactions
is 1.9% and may be reduced based upon the dollar amount purchased and the
maturities of the Securities. Certain classes of investors are entitled to
purchase Units at a reduced sales charge. See "PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE" in Part B
of this Prospectus.
 
DEALER CONCESSIONS
 
The Sponsor plans to allow a discount to dealer firms in connection with the
primary distribution of Units and also in secondary market transactions. The
primary market discounts, based on the number of Units sold, are as follows:
 
- ----------------------------------------------
 
PRIMARY MARKET DEALER CONCESSIONS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  DISCOUNT PER
                NUMBER OF UNITS*                      UNIT
- ------------------------------------------------  -------------
<S>                                               <C>
Less than 5,000.................................    $    1.00
5,000 but less than 10,000......................         0.90
10,000 but less than 25,000.....................         0.75
25,000 but less than 50,000.....................         0.60
50,000 or more..................................         0.45
</TABLE>
 
The maximum dealer concession on secondary market purchases of Trust Units
through the Sponsor is 1.235% and may be reduced based upon the dollar amount
purchased and the maturities of the Securities. See "DISTRIBUTIONS OF UNITS TO
THE PUBLIC" in Part B of this Prospectus.
 
General Information
 
OPTIONAL FEATURES
 
REDEMPTIONS
 
Units may be redeemed on any business day at no charge. Units are redeemed at
their current market value. See "REDEMPTION" in Part B of this Prospectus.
 
LETTER OF INTENT (LOI)
 
Investors may use a Letter of Intent to get reduced sales charges on purchases
made over a 13-month period (and to take advantage of dollar cost averaging).
The minimum LOI investment is $50,000. If an investor purchases only Nuveen
Treasury Unit Trusts, the benefit of an LOI will start at $500,000. See "PUBLIC
OFFERING PRICE" in Part B of this Prospectus.
 
REINVESTMENT
 
Interest income and returned principal can be reinvested with no sales charge
into Nuveen mutual or money market funds. See "ACCUMULATION PLAN" in Part B of
this Prospectus. For more information, obtain a prospectus from your financial
adviser.
 
THE SPONSOR
 
Since our founding in 1898, John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated has been synonymous
with investments that withstand the test of time. Today, we offer a range of
equity and fixed-income unit trusts designed to suit the unique circumstances
and financial planning needs of mature investors. More than 1.3 million
investors have trusted Nuveen to help them maintain the life-style they
currently enjoy.
 
The prospectus describes in detail the investment objectives, policies and risks
of this unit trust. We invite you to discuss the contents with your financial
adviser, or you may call us at 800-257-8787 for additional information.
 
                                     ------
                                       5
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
              NUVEEN U.S. TREASURY TRUST, SERIES 6 (INTERMEDIATE)
                         (Nuveen Unit Trusts, Series 9)
     Schedule of Investments at the Initial Date of Deposit, April 8, 1998
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                      TRUSTEE'S
                                                                                                                    DETERMINATION
   FACE                                                                                                              OF OFFERING
  AMOUNT                                        DESCRIPTION                              COUPON       MATURITY        PRICE(1)
<C>         <C>        <S>                                                             <C>         <C>             <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$   85,000             U.S. Treasury Note                                                6.375%     Due 08/15/02     $    87,777
    15,000             U.S. Treasury STRIPs(2)                                           0.000%     Due 08/15/02          11,840
    85,000             U.S. Treasury Note                                                6.25%      Due 02/15/03          87,608
    15,000             U.S. Treasury STRIPs(2)                                           0.000%     Due 02/15/03          11,508
    90,000             U.S. Treasury Note                                                5.75%      Due 08/15/03          90,912
    10,000             U.S. Treasury STRIPs(2)                                           0.000%     Due 08/15/03           7,456
    90,000             U.S. Treasury Note                                                5.875%     Due 02/15/04          91,604
    10,000             U.S. Treasury STRIPs(2)                                           0.00%      Due 02/15/04           7,241
    75,000             U.S. Treasury Note                                                7.25%      Due 08/15/04          81,711
    25,000             U.S. Treasury STRIPs(2)                                           0.00%      Due 08/15/04          17,602
- ----------                                                                                                         ---------------
$  500,000                                                                                                           $   495,259
- ----------                                                                                                         ---------------
- ----------                                                                                                         ---------------
</TABLE>
 
- -------------
 
(1)  The Sponsor's contracts to purchase U.S. Treasury Obligations were entered
     into on April 7, 1998. Other information regarding the U.S. Treasury
     Obligations in the Trust on the Date of Deposit is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                    ANNUAL
                                                                                      PROFIT       INTEREST     BID PRICE
                                                                        COST TO      (OR LOSS)     INCOME TO       OF
                               TRUST                                    SPONSOR     TO SPONSOR       TRUST     SECURITIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------  -------------  -----------  -----------
<S>                                                                   <C>          <C>            <C>          <C>
Nuveen U.S. Treasury Trust, Series 6 (Intermediate).................  $   494,999    $     260     $  26,631   $   494,634
</TABLE>
 
    In addition, the difference between the Trustee's determination of Offering
    Price and Bid Price (as a percentage of principal amount) is .13%.
 
(2)  This Security has been purchased at a deep discount from the par value
     because there is no stated interest income thereon. Securities which pay no
     interest are normally described as "zero coupon" securities. Over the life
     of Securities purchased at a deep discount, the value of such Securities
     will increase such that upon maturity the holders of such securities will
     receive 100% of the principal amount thereof.
 
                                     ------
                                       6
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
              NUVEEN U.S. TREASURY TRUST, SERIES 6 (INTERMEDIATE)
                         (Nuveen Unit Trusts, Series 9)
      Statement of Condition at the Initial Date of Deposit, April 8, 1998
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                              <C>
TRUST PROPERTY
Sponsor's contracts to purchase Securities, backed by an irrevocable letter of
  credit(1)(2).................................................................  $  495,259
Accrued interest to April 8, 1998 on underlying Securities(1)..................       3,825
Organizational costs(3)........................................................      24,000
                                                                                 ----------
             Total.............................................................  $  523,084
                                                                                 ----------
                                                                                 ----------
 
LIABILITIES AND INTEREST OF UNITHOLDERS
 
LIABILITIES:
    Accrued interest to April 8, 1998 on underlying Securities(4)..............  $    3,825
    Accrued organizational costs(3)............................................      24,000
                                                                                 ----------
             Total.............................................................  $   27,825
                                                                                 ----------
                                                                                 ----------
 
INTEREST OF UNITHOLDERS:
    Units of fractional undivided interest outstanding (5,000)
    Cost to investors(5).......................................................  $  504,080
        Less: Gross underwriting commission(6).................................      (8,821)
                                                                                 ----------
    Net amount applicable to investors.........................................  $  495,259
                                                                                 ----------
             Total.............................................................  $  523,084
                                                                                 ----------
                                                                                 ----------
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
 
(1)  Represented by contracts to purchase Securities 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 Initial Date of Deposit. The amount of such letter of
    credit and any cash deposited exceeds the amount necessary for the purchase
    of the Securities plus accrued interest to the Initial Date of Deposit. At
    the Initial Date of Deposit, Securities 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 Securities.
 
(2)  Aggregate value (at offering prices) as of the Initial Date of Deposit of
    the Securities listed under "SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS" herein, and their
    aggregate cost to the Trusts 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 Initial
    Date of Deposit. (See "EVALUATION OF SECURITIES AT THE INITIAL DATE OF
    DEPOSIT" in Part B of this Prospectus.)
 
(3)  The Trust (and therefore Unitholders) will bear all or a portion of its
    estimated organizational costs which will be deferred and amortized over the
    life of the Trust.
 
(4)  Representing, as set forth in "ACCRUED INTEREST" in Part B of this
    Prospectus, advancement by the Trustee of an amount equal to the accrued
    Securities' interest as of the Initial Date of Deposit.
 
(5)  Aggregate Public Offering Price (exclusive of accrued interest) computed as
    set forth under "PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE" in Part B of this Prospectus.
 
(6)  The gross underwriting commission of 1.75% 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 5,000 Units or more, the sales charge is reduced. (See "PUBLIC
    OFFERING PRICE" in Part B of this Prospectus.)
 
                                     ------
                                       7
<PAGE>
Report of Independent Public Accountants
 
TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF JOHN NUVEEN & CO. INCORPORATED AND UNITHOLDERS OF
NUVEEN UNIT TRUSTS, SERIES 9:
 
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 Nuveen
Unit Trusts, Series 9 (Nuveen U.S. Treasury Trust, Series 6 (Intermediate)), 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 Nuveen Unit Trusts, Series 9 (Nuveen U.S. Treasury Trust,
Series 6 (Intermediate)) as of April 8, 1998, in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles.
 
                                                   ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 
Chicago, Illinois
April 8, 1998.
 
                                     ------
                                       8
<PAGE>
   
                               NUVEEN UNIT TRUSTS
                     FIXED INCOME TRUST PROSPECTUS--PART B
                                 APRIL 8, 1998
    
 
    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.
 
   
    CURRENTLY OFFERED AT PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE PLUS INTEREST ACCRUED TO THE DATE
OF SETTLEMENT. MINIMUM PURCHASE -- EITHER $5,000 OR 50 UNITS ($1,000 OR 10 UNITS
FOR TRADITIONAL AND ROTH IRA PURCHASES AND $500 OR NEAREST WHOLE NUMBER OF UNITS
WHOSE VALUE IS LESS THAN $500 FOR EDUCATION IRA PURCHASES), WHICHEVER IS LESS.
    
 
    THIS NUVEEN UNIT TRUST SERIES consists of the underlying separate unit
investment trusts set forth in Part A of this Prospectus. Each trust initially
consists of delivery statements relating to contracts to purchase securities
and, thereafter, will consist of a portfolio of securities (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 the Trust in its entirety.
 
   
    Trusts consisting of a portfolio of U.S Treasury obligations ("U.S. TREASURY
OBLIGATIONS") shall be referred to herein as "U.S. Treasury Trusts." Trusts
primarily consisting of a portfolio of investment grade, corporate debt
obligations issued after July 18, 1984 ("CORPORATE BONDS") shall be referred to
herein as "Corporate Trusts." Collectively, the U.S. Treasury Trusts and the
Corporate Trusts shall be referred to herein as the "TRUSTS." Corporate Trusts
consisting primarily of insured Corporate Bonds shall be referred to herein as
"Insured Corporate Trusts" and Corporate Trusts consisting primarily of
uninsured investment grade Corporate Bonds shall be referred to herein as
"Investment Grade Corporate Trusts." U.S. Treasury Obligations and the Corporate
Bonds shall be referred to herein as the "OBLIGATIONS" or the "SECURITIES."
    
 
    THE OBJECTIVE of the U.S. Treasury Trusts is to provide current interest
income consistent with preservation of capital and investment flexibility. The
objective of the Insured Corporate Trusts is to provide a high level of current
income consistent with preservation of capital provided primarily by a portfolio
of investment grade, corporate debt obligations issued after July 18, 1984. The
objective of the Investment Grade Corporate Trusts is to provide a high level of
current income through investing in a portfolio consisting primarily of
investment grade, corporate debt obligations issued after July 18, 1984.
 
    DISTRIBUTIONS of interest received by a Trust will be made monthly,
quarterly or semi-annually, depending upon the Unitholder's selection. (See
"DISTRIBUTIONS TO UNITHOLDERS") Distribution of funds in the Principal Account,
if any, will ordinarily be made as set forth under "DISTRIBUTIONS TO
UNITHOLDERS."
 
    FOR ESTIMATED LONG TERM RETURNS AND ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURNS to Unitholders
on the business day prior to the Initial Date of Deposit, see Part A of this
Prospectus and "ESTIMATED LONG TERM RETURN AND ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN."
 
   
    THE PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE per Unit of each Trust during the initial offering
period is based upon the pro rata share of the OFFERING prices of the Securities
in such Trust's portfolio plus a sales charge as set forth in Part A of this
Prospectus. The Secondary Market Public Offering Price per Unit for each Trust
is based upon the pro rata share of the sum of BID prices of the Securities in
such Trust plus the sales charges as set forth in Part
 
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.
    
<PAGE>
A of this Prospectus. 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 the number of Units set forth in
Part A of this Prospectus. See "PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE."
 
    A UNITHOLDER MAY REDEEM UNITS at the office of the Trustee at prices based
upon the BID prices of the Securities. The price received upon redemption may be
more or less than the amount paid by Unitholders, depending upon the value of
the Securities on the date of tender for redemption. (See "REDEMPTION.") The
Sponsor, although not required to do so, intends to make a secondary market for
the Units of certain of the Trusts at prices based upon the BID prices of the
Securities 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 (in the case of insured Corporate Bonds) to pay the
principal of or interest on a security when due, the general condition of the
relevant market, economic recession, volatile interest rates, early call
provisions and changes to the tax status of the Bonds. The value of the
underlying Securities will fluctuate inversely with changes in interest rates.
Although in recent years interest rates have been relatively stable, the
uncertain economic conditions of prior years, together with the monetary
policies and fiscal measures adopted in response to them, resulted in wide
fluctuations of interest rates and, thus, in the value of fixed rate debt
obligations. The Sponsor cannot predict the degree to which such fluctuations
will exist in the future. See Part A of this Prospectus and "RISK FACTORS."
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                       <C>
NUVEEN UNIT TRUSTS......................................................................          4
OBJECTIVE OF THE TRUSTS.................................................................          5
SUMMARY OF PORTFOLIOS...................................................................          5
RISK FACTORS............................................................................          5
COMPOSITION OF TRUSTS...................................................................         10
INSURANCE ON THE CORPORATE BONDS........................................................         12
PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE...................................................................         13
MARKET FOR UNITS........................................................................         16
ACCRUED INTEREST........................................................................         16
ESTIMATED LONG TERM RETURN AND ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN.................................         17
EVALUATION OF SECURITIES AT THE INITIAL DATE OF DEPOSIT.................................         18
TAX STATUS..............................................................................         18
TRUST OPERATING EXPENSES................................................................         22
DISTRIBUTIONS TO UNITHOLDERS............................................................         23
ACCUMULATION PLAN.......................................................................         25
REPORTS TO UNITHOLDERS..................................................................         25
UNIT VALUE AND EVALUATION...............................................................         26
DISTRIBUTIONS OF UNITS TO THE PUBLIC....................................................         26
OWNERSHIP AND TRANSFER OF UNITS.........................................................         28
REDEMPTION..............................................................................         29
PURCHASE OF UNITS BY THE SPONSOR........................................................         30
REMOVAL OF SECURITIES FROM THE TRUSTS...................................................         30
INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRUSTEE...........................................................         31
INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPONSOR...........................................................         32
OTHER INFORMATION.......................................................................         32
LEGAL OPINION...........................................................................         33
AUDITORS................................................................................         33
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION................................................................         33
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
NUVEEN UNIT TRUSTS
 
    This Nuveen 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 each Trust is set forth in Part A of this Prospectus. The various
Nuveen Unit Trusts are collectively referred to herein as the "TRUSTS." This
Series was created under the laws of the State of New York pursuant to a Trust
Indenture and Agreement dated the Initial 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 the Securities 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). See "SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS" in Part A of this Prospectus, for a
description of the Securities deposited in a Trust. See "SUMMARY OF PORTFOLIO"
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 Securities with
delivery dates after the date of settlement for a purchase made on the Initial
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 Securities
and its limited right to substitute other securities to replace any failed
contract, see "COMPOSITION OF TRUSTS."
 
    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.
 
   
    Additional Units of each Trust may be issued from time to time following the
Initial Date of Deposit by depositing in such Trust additional Securities or
contracts for the purchase thereof together with irrevocable letters of credit
or cash. As additional Units are issued by a Trust as a result of the deposit of
additional Securities by the Sponsor, the aggregate value of the Securities in a
Trust will be increased and the fractional undivided interest in such Trust
represented by each Unit will be decreased. The Sponsor may continue to make
additional deposits of Securities into such Trust following the Initial Date of
Deposit, provided that such additional deposits will be in amounts which will
maintain the same original proportionate relationship among the Securities in
such Trust established on the Initial Date of Deposit. Thus, although additional
Units will be issued, each Unit will continue to represent the same
proportionate amount of each Security, and the percentage relationship among the
principal amounts of the Securities in the respective Trust will remain the
same. To the extent that any Units are redeemed by the Trustee or additional
Units are issued as a result of additional Securities being deposited by the
Sponsor, the fractional undivided interest in a Trust represented by each
unredeemed Unit will increase or decrease accordingly, although the actual
interest in such Trust represented by such fraction will remain unchanged. Units
will remain outstanding until redeemed upon tender to the Trustee by
Unitholders, which may include the Sponsor, or until termination of the Trust
Agreement. The Sponsor may be considered to have realized a profit or to have
sustained a loss, as the case may be, in the amount of any difference between
the cost of the Securities to the Trust (which is based on the Evaluator's
determination of the aggregate offering price of the underlying Securities of
the Trust) on the subsequent date(s) of deposit and the cost of such Securities
to Nuveen, if applicable.
    
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
OBJECTIVE OF THE TRUSTS
 
    U.S. TREASURY TRUSTS.  The objective of the U.S. Treasury Trusts is to
provide current income consistent with preservation of capital and investment
flexibility. The U.S. Treasury Trusts seek to achieve this objective through
investment in a portfolio of U.S. Treasury Obligations with differing maturities
which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government.
Interest income distributed by each U.S. Treasury Trust is exempt from state and
local personal income taxes in all states.
 
    CORPORATE TRUSTS.  The objective of the Insured Corporate Trusts is to
provide a high level of current income consistent with preservation of capital
provided primarily by a portfolio of investment grade, corporate debt
obligations issued after July 18, 1984. The objective of the Investment Grade
Corporate Trusts is to provide a high level of current income through investing
in a portfolio consisting primarily of investment grade, corporate debt
obligations issued after July 18, 1984. In addition, certain Corporate Trusts
may also contain U.S. Treasury obligations. The Corporate Trusts may be an
appropriate investment vehicle for investors who wish to participate in a
portfolio of taxable fixed income obligations issued by corporate obligors with
greater diversification than investors might be able to acquire individually.
Corporate Bonds of the type deposited in the Corporate Trusts often are not
available in small amounts. Diversification of the Corporate Trusts' assets will
not eliminate the risk of loss always inherent in the ownership of corporate
debt obligations.
 
    Units of both the U.S. Treasury Trusts and the Corporate Trusts are
available to non-resident aliens and the income from the Trusts, provided
certain conditions are met, will be exempt from withholding for such foreign
investors. There is, of course, no guarantee that the Trusts' objectives will be
achieved.
 
SUMMARY OF PORTFOLIOS
 
    In selecting U.S. Treasury Obligations for deposit in the U.S. Treasury
Trusts the following factors, among others, were considered by the Sponsor: (a)
the types of such obligations available; (b) the prices and yields of such
obligations relative to other comparable obligations, including the extent to
which such obligations are traded at a premium or at a discount from par; and
(c) the maturities of such obligations.
 
    In selecting Corporate Bonds for deposit in the Corporate Trusts, the
following factors, among others, were considered by the Sponsor: (a) the prices
and yields of such Corporate Bonds relative to other Corporate Bonds of similar
quality and maturity, including the extent to which such Corporate Bonds are
traded at a premium or discount from par; (b) the present rating and credit
quality of the issuers of the Corporate Bonds and the potential improvement in
the credit quality of such issuers; (c) the diversification of the Corporate
Bonds as to location of issuer; (d) the income to the Unitholders of the
Corporate Trusts; (e) whether the Corporate Bonds were issued after July 18,
1984; (f) the stated maturities and call provisions of the Corporate Bonds; (g)
whether the Corporate Bonds were issued by a utility company; and (h) whether
the Corporate Bonds were insured and the availability and cost of insurance for
the Corporate Bonds.
 
RISK FACTORS
 
    U.S. TREASURY OBLIGATIONS.  U.S. Treasury Obligations are direct obligations
of the United States and are backed by its full faith and credit although the
Units are not so backed. The U.S. Treasury Obligations are not rated but in the
opinion of the Sponsor have credit characteristics comparable to those of
securities rated "AAA" by nationally recognized rating agencies.
 
    An investment in Units of a Trust which contains U.S. Treasury Obligations
should be made with an understanding of the risks which an investment in fixed
rate debt obligations may entail, including the risk that the value of the U.S.
Treasury Obligations and hence the Units will decline with increases in interest
rates. The high inflation of prior years, together with the fiscal measures
adopted in response to such inflation, have
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
resulted in wide fluctuations in interest rates and, thus, in the value of fixed
rate debt obligations generally. The Sponsor cannot predict whether such
fluctuations will exist in the future.
 
    CORPORATE DEBT OBLIGATIONS.  An investment in Units of a Corporate Trust
should be made with an understanding of the risks that an investment in fixed
rate, investment grade corporate debt obligations may entail, including the risk
that the value of the Units will decline with increases in interest rates.
Although in recent years interest rates have been relatively stable, the high
inflation of prior years, together with the fiscal measures adopted in response
to such inflation, have resulted in wide fluctuations in interest rates and thus
in the value of fixed rate debt obligations generally. Generally, bonds with
longer maturities will fluctuate in value more than bonds with shorter
maturities. A slowdown in the economy, or a development adversely affecting an
issuer's creditworthiness, may result in the issuer being unable to maintain
earnings or sell assets at the rate and at the prices, respectively, that are
required to produce sufficient cash flow to meet its interest and principal
requirements and accordingly such issuer may not be able to meet its obligations
to make principal and income payments. In addition, a slowdown in the economy or
a development adversely affecting an issuer's creditworthiness may also result
in the ratings of the Corporate Bonds and the value of the underlying portfolio
being reduced. The Corporate Trusts consist of Corporate Bonds that, in many
cases, do not have the benefit of covenants that would prevent the issuer from
engaging in capital restructurings or borrowing transactions in connection with
corporate acquisitions, leveraged buyouts or restructurings that could have the
effect of reducing the ability of the issuer to meet its obligations and might
also result in the ratings of the Corporate Bonds and the value of the
underlying portfolio being reduced.
 
    Should the issuer of any Corporate Bond default in the payment of principal
or interest, the Corporate Trust may incur additional expenses seeking payment
on the defaulted Bond. Because amounts recovered by a Corporate Trust in payment
under the defaulted Corporate Bond, if any, may not be reflected in the value of
the Units until actually received by such Corporate Trust, and depending upon
when a Unitholder purchases or sells his or her Units, it is possible that a
Unitholder would bear a portion of the cost of recovery without receiving a
portion of any payment recovered.
 
    UTILITY ISSUES.  Certain of the Corporate Bonds in a Corporate Trust may be
obligations of utility issuers. In general, utilities are regulated monopolies
engaged in the business of supplying light, water, power, heat, transportation
or means of communication. Historically, the utilities industry has provided
investors in securities issued by companies in this industry with high levels of
reliability, stability and relative total return on their investments. However,
an investment in a Corporate Trust which contains obligations of utility issuers
should be made with an understanding of the characteristics of such issuers and
the risks which such an investment may entail. General problems of such issuers
would include the difficulty in financing large construction programs in an
inflationary period, 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 such Corporate Bonds
in certain Corporate Trusts to make payments of principal and/or interest on
such Corporate Bonds.
 
    Utilities are generally subject to extensive regulation by state utility
commissions which, for example, establish the rates which may be charged and the
appropriate rate of return on an approved asset base, which must be approved by
the state commissions. Certain utilities have had difficulty from time to time
in persuading regulators, who are subject to political pressures, to grant rate
increases necessary to maintain an adequate return on investment and voters in
many states have the ability to impose limits on rate adjustments (for example,
by initiative or referendum). Any unexpected limitations could negatively affect
the profitability of utilities whose budgets are planned far in advance. Also,
changes in certain accounting standards currently under consideration by the
Financial Accounting Standards Board could cause significant write-downs of
assets and reductions in earnings for many investor-owned utilities. In
addition, gas pipeline and distribution
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
companies have had difficulties in adjusting to short and surplus energy
supplies, enforcing or being required to comply with long-term contracts and
avoiding litigation from their customers, on the one hand, or suppliers, on the
other. Finally, utilities may be subject to deregulation and competitive
pressures from alternative providers. In this environment, utilities may face
costs which prevent them from earning a positive rate of return, which will
negatively impact the issues of Corporate Bonds.
 
    Certain of the issuers of the Corporate Bonds in a Corporate Trust may own
or operate nuclear generating facilities. Governmental authorities may from time
to time review existing, and impose additional, requirements governing the
licensing, construction and operation of nuclear power plants. Nuclear
generating projects in the electric utility industry have experienced
substantial cost increases, construction delays and licensing difficulties.
These have been caused by various factors, including inflation, high financing
costs, required design changes and rework, allegedly faulty construction,
objections by groups and governmental officials, limits on the ability to
finance, reduced forecasts of energy requirements and economic conditions. This
experience indicates that the risk of significant cost increases, delays and
licensing difficulties remains present through completion and achievement of
commercial operation of any nuclear project. Also, nuclear generating units in
service have experienced unplanned outages or extensions of scheduled outages
due to equipment problems or new regulatory requirements sometimes followed by a
significant delay in obtaining regulatory approval to return to service. A major
accident at a nuclear plant anywhere could cause the imposition of limits or
prohibitions on the operation, construction or licensing of nuclear units in the
United States.
 
    In view of the uncertainties discussed above, there can be no assurance that
any bond issuer's share of the full cost of nuclear units under construction
ultimately will be recovered in rates or of the extent to which a bond issuer
could earn an adequate return on its investment in such units. The likelihood of
a significantly adverse event occurring in any of the areas of concern described
above varies, as does the potential severity of any adverse impact. It should be
recognized, however, that one or more of such adverse events could occur and
individually or collectively could have a material adverse impact on the
financial condition or the results of operations or on a bond issuer's ability
to make interest and principal payments on its outstanding debt.
 
    Other general problems of the gas, water, telephone and electric utility
industry (including state and local joint action power agencies) include
difficulty in obtaining timely and adequate rate increases, difficulty in
financing large construction programs to provide new or replacement facilities
during an inflationary period, rising costs of rail transportation to transport
fossil fuels, the uncertainty of transmission service costs for both interstate
and intrastate transactions, changes in tax laws which adversely affect a
utility's ability to operate profitably, increased competition in service costs,
reductions in estimates of future demand for electricity and gas in certain
areas of the country, restrictions on operations and increased cost and delays
attributable to environmental considerations, uncertain availability and
increased cost of capital, unavailability of fuel for electric generation at
reasonable prices, including the steady rise in fuel costs and the costs
associated with conversion to alternate fuel sources such as coal, availability
and cost of natural gas for resale, technical and cost factors and other
problems associated with construction, licensing, regulation and operation of
nuclear facilities for electric generation, including among other considerations
the problems associated with the use of radioactive materials and the disposal
of radioactive wastes, and the effects of energy conservation. Each of the
problems referred to could adversely affect the ability of the issuer of any
utility bonds in a Corporate Trust to make payments due on these Corporate
Bonds.
 
    In addition, the ability of state and local joint action power agencies to
make payments on bonds they have issued is dependent in large part on payments
made to them pursuant to power supply or similar agreements.
 
    Courts in Washington and Idaho have held that certain agreements between
Washington Public Power Supply System ("WPPSS") and the WPPSS participants are
unenforceable because the participants did not have the authority to enter into
the agreements. While these decisions are not specifically applicable to
agreements entered into by public entities in other states, they may cause a
reexamination of the legal
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
structure and economic viability of certain projects financed by joint action
power agencies, which might exacerbate some of the problems referred to above
and possibly lead to legal proceedings questioning the enforceability of
agreements upon which payment of these bonds may depend.
 
    Business conditions of the telephone industry in general may affect the
performance of a Trust. General problems of telephone companies include
regulation of rates for service by the FCC and various state or other regulatory
agencies. However, over the last several years regulation has been changing,
resulting in increased competition. The new approach is more market oriented,
more flexible and more complicated. For example, Federal and certain state
regulators have instituted "price cap" regulation which couples protection of
rate payers for basic services with flexible pricing for ancillary services.
These new approaches to regulation could lead to greater risks as well as
greater rewards for operating telephone companies such as those that may be
included in the Trusts. Inflation has substantially increased the operating
expenses and cost of plant required for growth, service, improvement and
replacement of existing plant. Continuing cost increases, to the extent not
offset by improved productivity and revenues from increased business, would
result in a decrease in rate of return and a continuing need for rate increases.
Although allowances are generally made in rate making proceedings for cost
increases, delays may be experienced in obtaining the necessary rate increases
and there can be no assurance that the regulatory agencies will grant rate
increases adequate to cover operating and other expenses and debt service
requirements. To meet increasing competition, telephone companies will have to
commit substantial capital, technological and marketing resources. Telephone
usage, and therefore revenues, could also be adversely affected by any sustained
economic recession. New technology, such as cellular service and fiber optics,
will require additional capital outlays. The uncertain outcomes of future labor
agreements may also have a negative impact on the telephone companies. Each of
these problems could adversely affect the ability of the telephone company
issuers of any Corporate Bonds in a Corporate Trust to make payments of
principal and interest on their Corporate Bonds.
 
    HOSPITAL AND HEALTH CARE FACILITY ISSUES.  Certain of the Corporate Bonds in
a Corporate Trust may be obligations of hospital and health care issuers.
Payments on hospital and health care facility bonds are dependent upon revenues
of hospitals and other health care facilities. These revenues come from private
third-party payors and government programs, including the Medicare and Medicaid
programs, which have generally undertaken cost containment measures to limit
payments to health care facilities. Hospitals and health care facilities are
subject to various legal claims by patients and others and are adversely
affected by the increasing cost of insurance.
 
    BANKS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTION ISSUES.  Certain of the Corporate
Bonds in a Corporate Trust may be obligations of banks and other financial
institution issuers. The profitability of a financial institution is largely
dependent upon the credit quality of its loan portfolio which, in turn, is
affected by the institution's underwriting criteria, concentrations within the
portfolio and specific industry and general economic conditions. The operating
performance of financial institutions is also impacted by changes in interest
rates, the availability and cost of funds, the intensity of competition and the
degree of governmental regulation.
 
    TELECOMMUNICATIONS ISSUES.  Certain of the Corporate Bonds in a Corporate
Trust may be obligations of telecommunications issuers. Payments on bonds of
companies in the telecommunications industry, including local, long-distance and
cellular service, the manufacture of telecommunications equipment, and other
ancillary services, are generally dependant upon the amount and growth of
customer demand, the level of rates permitted to be charged by regulatory
authorities and the ability to obtain periodic rate increases, the effects of
inflation on the cost of providing services and the rate of technological
innovation. The industry is characterized by increasing competition in all
sectors and extensive regulation by the Federal Communications Commission and
various state regulatory authorities.
 
    GENERAL.  Certain of the Securities may have been deposited at a market
discount or premium principally because their interest rates are lower or higher
than prevailing rates on comparable securities. The current returns of market
discount securities are lower than comparably rated securities selling at par
because
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
discount securities tend to increase in market value as they approach maturity.
The current returns of market premium securities are higher than comparably
rated securities selling at par because premium securities tend to decrease in
market value as they approach maturity. Because part of the purchase price is
returned through current income payments and not at maturity, an early
redemption at par of a premium security will result in a reduction in yield to a
Trust. Market premium or discount attributable to interest rate changes does not
indicate market confidence or lack of confidence in the issue.
 
    Lower-rated securities tend to offer higher yields than higher-rated
securities with the same maturities because the creditworthiness of the issuers
of lower-rated securities may not be as strong as that of other issuers.
Moreover, if a Bond is recharacterized as equity by the Internal Revenue Service
for Federal income tax purposes, the issuer's interest deduction with respect to
the Bond will be disallowed and this disallowance may adversely affect the
issuer's credit rating. Because investors generally perceive that there are
greater risks associated with lower-rated securities, the yields and prices of
these securities tend to fluctuate more than higher-rated securities with
changes in the perceived quality of the credit of their issuers. In addition,
the market value of certain fixed-income securities may fluctuate more than the
market value of higher-rated securities since lower-rated, fixed-income
securities tend to reflect short-term credit developments to a greater extent
than higher-rated securities. Issuers of certain securities may possess less
creditworthiness characteristics than issuers of higher-rated securities and,
especially in the case of issuers whose obligations or credit standing have
recently been downgraded, may be subject to claims by debtholders, owners of
property leased to the issuer or others which, if sustained, would make it more
difficult for the issuers to meet their payment obligations. Bonds are also
affected by variables such as interest rates, inflation rates and real growth in
the economy. Therefore, investors should consider carefully the relative risks
associated with investment in securities which carry lower ratings.
 
    FOREIGN ISSUERS.  A portion of the Bonds in the Trusts may be invested in
securities of foreign issuers. It is appropriate for investors in such Trusts to
consider certain investment risks that distinguish investments in Bonds of
foreign issuers from those of domestic issuers. Those investment risks include
future political and economic developments, the possible imposition of
withholding taxes on interest income payable on the Bonds held in the Trusts,
the possible seizure or nationalization of foreign deposits, the possible
establishment of exchange controls or the adoption of other foreign governmental
restrictions (including expropriation, burdensome or confiscatory taxation and
moratoriums) which might adversely affect the payment or receipt of payment of
amounts due on the Bonds. Investors should realize that, although the Trusts
invest in U.S. dollar denominated investments, the foreign issuers which operate
internationally are subject to currency risks. The value of Bonds can be
adversely affected by political or social instability and unfavorable diplomatic
or other negative developments. In addition, because many foreign issuers are
not subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, there may be less publicly available information about the foreign issuer
than a U.S. domestic issuer. Foreign issuers also are not necessarily subject to
uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, practices and
requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. domestic issuers. However,
the Sponsor anticipates that adequate information will be available to allow the
Sponsor to provide portfolio surveillance.
 
    LIQUIDITY.  The Bonds in the Trusts may not have been registered under the
Securities Act of 1933 and may not be exempt from the registration requirements
of the Act. Most of the Bonds will not be listed on a securities exchange.
Whether or not the Bonds are listed, the principal trading market for the Bonds
will generally be in the over-the-counter market. As a result, the existence of
a liquid trading market for the Bonds may depend on whether dealers will make a
market in the Bonds. There can be no assurance that a market will be made for
any of the Bonds, that any market for the Bonds will be maintained or of the
liquidity of the Bonds in any markets made. The price at which the Bonds may be
sold to meet redemptions and the value of the Trusts will be adversely affected
if trading markets for the Bonds are limited or absent. The Trusts may also
contain non-exempt Bonds in registered form which have been purchased on a
private placement basis. Sales of these Bonds may not be practicable outside the
United States, but can generally be made to U.S. institutions in the private
placement market which may not be as liquid as the general U.S. securities
market.
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
Since the private placement market is less liquid, the prices received may be
less than would have been received had the markets been broader.
 
    EXCHANGE CONTROLS.  On the basis of the best information available to the
Sponsor at the present time none of the Bonds is subject to exchange control
restrictions under existing law which would materially interfere with payment to
the Trusts of amounts due on the Bonds. However, there can be no assurance that
exchange control regulations might not be adopted in the future which might
adversely affect payments to the Trusts. In addition, the adoption of exchange
control regulations and other legal restrictions could have an adverse impact on
the marketability of the Bonds in the Trusts and on the ability of the Trusts to
satisfy its obligation to redeem Units tendered to the Trustee for redemption.
 
    JURISDICTION OVER, AND U.S. JUDGMENTS CONCERNING, FOREIGN
OBLIGORS.  Non-U.S. issuers of the Bonds will generally not have submitted to
the jursidiction of U.S. courts for purposes of lawsuits relating to those
Bonds. If the Trusts contain Bonds of such an issuer, the Trusts as a holder of
those obligations may not be able to assert its rights in U.S. courts under the
documents pursuant to which the Bonds are issued. Even if the Trusts obtain a
U.S. judgment against a foreign obligor, there can be no assurance that the
judgment will be enforced by a court in the country in which the foreign obligor
is located. In addition, a judgment for money damages by a court in the United
States if obtained, will ordinarily be rendered only in U.S. dollars. It is not
clear, however, whether, in granting a judgment, the rate of conversion of the
applicable foreign currency into U.S. dollars would be determined with reference
to the due date or the date the judgment is rendered. Courts in other countries
may have rules that are similar to, or different from, the rules of U.S. courts.
 
   
    YEAR 2000 PROBLEM.  Like other investment companies, financial and business
organizations and individuals around the world, a Trust could be adversely
affected if the computer systems used by the Sponsor or Trustee or other service
providers to a Trust do not properly process and calculate date-related
information and data from and after January 1, 2000. This is commonly known as
the "Year 2000 Problem." The Sponsor and Trustee are taking steps that they
believe are reasonably designed to address the Year 2000 Problem with respect to
computer systems that they use and to obtain reasonable assurances that
comparable steps are being taken by a Trust's other service providers. At this
time, however, there can be no assurance that these steps will be sufficient to
avoid any adverse impact to the Trusts.
    
 
   
    The Year 2000 Problem is expected to impact corporations and other parties,
which may include issuers of the Securities contained in a Trust, to varying
degrees based upon various factors, including, but not limited to, their
industry sector and degree of technological sophistication. The Sponsor is
unable to predict what impact, if any, the Year 2000 Problem will have on
issuers of the Securities contained in the Trusts.
    
 
   
    LEGISLATION.  At any time after the Initial Date of Deposit, legislation may
be enacted, with respect to the Securities in a Trust or the issuers of the
Securities. Changing approaches to regulation, particularly with respect to the
environment, may have a negative impact on certain companies represented in a
Trust. There can be no assurance that future legislation, regulation or
deregulation will not have a material adverse effect on a Trust or will not
impair the ability of the issuers of the Securities to achieve their business
goals.
    
 
COMPOSITION OF TRUSTS
 
    Each Trust initially consists of delivery statements relating to contracts
to purchase Securities (or of such Securities) as are listed under "SCHEDULE OF
INVESTMENTS" in Part A of this Prospectus and, thereafter, of such Securities as
may continue to be held from time to time (including certain Securities
deposited in a Trust to create additional Units, in substitution for Securities
not delivered to a Trust or in exchange or substitution for Securities upon
certain refundings), together with accrued and undistributed interest thereon
and undistributed cash realized from the disposition of Securities.
 
    "WHEN-ISSUED" AND "DELAYED DELIVERY" TRANSACTIONS.  The contracts to
purchase Securities delivered to the Trustee represent an obligation by issuers
or dealers to deliver Securities to the Sponsor for deposit in
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
the Trusts. Certain of the contracts relate to Securities which have not been
issued as of the Initial Date of Deposit and which are commonly referred to as
"when issued" or "when, as and if issued" Securities. Although the Sponsor
believes it unlikely, if such Securities, or replacement Securities 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
Securities provide for delivery dates after the date of settlement for purchases
made on the Initial Date of Deposit. Interest on such "when issued" and "delayed
delivery" Securities 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 Securities are
actually delivered to the Trustee must reduce the tax basis of their Units for
interest accruing on such Securities during the interval between their purchase
of Units and the delivery of the Securities 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 Initial 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 Securities in each Trust purchased with delivery dates after
the date of settlement for purchases made on the Initial Date of Deposit are so
noted in the "SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS" in Part A of this Prospectus.
 
    LIMITED REPLACEMENT OF CERTAIN SECURITIES.  Neither the Sponsor nor the
Trustee shall be liable in any way for any default, failure or defect in any
Security. In the event of a failure to deliver any Security that has been
purchased for a Trust under a contract, including those Securities purchased on
a when, as and if issued basis ("FAILED SECURITIES"), the Sponsor is authorized
under the Indenture to direct the Trustee to acquire other specified securities
("REPLACEMENT SECURITIES") 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 Securities. The Replacement Securities must satisfy
the criteria previously described for the Trusts and shall be substantially
identical to the Failed Securities they replace. For U.S. Treasury Trusts, the
Replacement Securities must be substantially identical to the Failed Securities
they replace in terms of (i) the exemption from state and local taxation; (ii)
maturity; and (iii) cost to the U.S. Treasury Trust. For Corporate Trusts, the
Replacement Securities (i) must be payable in United States currency, (ii) must
be purchased at a price that results in a yield to maturity and a current return
at least equal to that of the Failed Securities as of the Initial Date of
Deposit, (iii) must satisfy any rating criteria for Securities originally
included in the Corporate Trust, (iv) must be insured prior to acquisition by
the Corporate Trust, (v) must be corporate bonds, debentures, notes or other
straight debt obligations (whether secured or unsecured and whether senior or
subordinated) without equity or other conversion features, with fixed maturity
dates substantially the same as those or the Failed Securities having no
warrants or subscription privileges attached; and (vi) be issued after July 18,
1984. In addition, for any Trust, Replacement Securities shall not be "when, as
and if issued" Securities. Whenever a Replacement Security 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 Securities are not acquired, the Sponsor shall
refund to all Unitholders of the Trust involved the sales charge attributable to
such Failed Securities not replaced, and the principal and accrued interest
attributable to such Securities 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. In the event Failed
Securities 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 SECURITIES.  Certain of the Securities may
from time to time under certain circumstances be sold or will mature in
accordance with their terms. The proceeds from such events
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
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.
 
    LITIGATION.  To the best knowledge of the Sponsor, there is no litigation
pending as of the Initial Date of Deposit in respect of any Securities which
might reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Trusts. It
is possible that after the Initial Date of Deposit, litigation may be initiated
with respect to Securities in any Trust. The Sponsor is unable to predict
whether any such litigation may be instituted, or if instituted, whether such
litigation might have a material adverse effect on the Trusts.
 
INSURANCE ON THE CORPORATE BONDS
 
    All Bonds in an Insured Corporate Trust portfolio except for any U.S.
Treasury obligations contained in such portfolio are insured as to the scheduled
payment of interest and principal under a financial guaranty insurance policy
obtained by the issuer of the Corporate Bonds or by the Sponsor from MBIA
Insurance Corporation ("MBIA"). The premium for each such insurance policy has
been paid in advance by such issuer or the Sponsor and each such policy is
non-cancellable and will remain in force so long as the Corporate Bonds are
outstanding and MBIA remains in business. No premiums for such insurance are
paid by any Corporate Trust. If MBIA is unable to meet its obligations under its
policy or if the rating assigned to the claims-paying ability of MBIA
deteriorates, no other insurer has any obligation to insure any issue adversely
affected by either of these events.
 
    The aforementioned insurance guarantees the scheduled payment of principal
and interest on all of the Corporate Bonds in an Insured Corporate Trust except
for any U.S. Treasury obligations. It does not guarantee the market value of the
Corporate Bonds or the value of the Units of a Corporate Trust. This insurance
is effective so long as the Corporate Bond is outstanding, whether or not held
by a Corporate Trust. Therefore, any such insurance may be considered to
represent an element of market value in regard to the Corporate Bonds, but the
exact effect, if any, of this insurance on such market value cannot be
predicted.
 
    MBIA, formerly known as Municipal Bond Investors Insurance Corporation, 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 MBIA. MBIA is domiciled in the State of New York and licensed to do
business in 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. MBIA has two European branches, one
in the Republic of France and the other in the Kingdom of Spain.
 
   
    Effective February 17, 1998, MBIA, Inc. 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. MBIA, Inc. then contributed the common stock of CMAC to MBIA.
Pursuant to a reinsurance agreement, CMAC has ceded all of its net insured risks
as well as its unearned premiums and contingency reserves to MBIA and MBIA has
reinsured CMAC's net outstanding exposure. MBIA, Inc. is not obligated to pay
the debts of or claims against CMAC.
    
 
   
    As of December 31, 1996, MBIA 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, MBIA 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. Copies of MBIA
Corporation's financial statements prepared in accordance with statutory
accounting practices are available from MBIA Corporation. The address of MBIA
Corporation is 113 King Street, Armonk, New York 10504.
    
 
    Moody's rates all bond issues insured by MBIA "Aaa" and short term loans
"MIG 1," both designated to be of the highest quality. Standard & Poor's, upon
request, rates all new issues insured by MBIA "AAA."
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
    Because the Corporate Bonds in an Insured Corporate Trust (other than U.S.
Treasury Obligations) are insured as to the scheduled payment of principal and
interest and on the basis of the financial condition and the method of operation
of MBIA, Standard & Poor's has assigned to Units in such Insured Corporate
Trusts its "AAA" investment rating. This is the highest rating assigned to
securities by such rating agency and will remain in effect for a period of 13
months following an Insured Corporate Trust's Initial Date of Deposit, unless
renewed. These ratings should not be construed as an approval of the offering of
the Units by Standard & Poor's or as a guarantee of the market value of an
Insured Corporate Trust or the Units thereof.
 
    Bonds in an Insured Corporate Trust for which insurance has been obtained by
the issuer thereof or by the Sponsor from MBIA (all of which were rated "AAA" by
Standard & Poor's and "Aaa" by Moody's) may or may not have a higher yield than
uninsured bonds rated "AAA" by Standard & Poor's and "Aaa" by Moody's. In
selecting Corporate Bonds for the portfolio of a Corporate Trust, the Sponsor
has applied the criteria hereinbefore described.
 
PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE
 
    The Public Offering Price of the Units of each Trust is equal to the
Trustee's determination of the aggregate offering prices of the Securities
deposited therein (minus any advancement to the principal account of the Trust
made by the Trustee) plus a sales charge as set forth in Part A of this
Prospectus, in each case adding to the total thereof, accrued interest and the
cash held by the Trust, if any (minus accrued expenses and any advances to the
Trust made by the Trustee), 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 as set forth in Part A of this Prospectus. 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 graduated scale provided in Part A of this Prospectus,
based on the amount of intended aggregate purchases (excluding purchases which
are subject only to a deferred sales charge) as expressed in the letter of
intent. For purposes of letter of intent calculations units of equity products
are valued at $10 per unit. 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 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 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.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
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 representative must notify the Sponsor whenever such
Unitholder makes a purchase of Units that he wishes to be counted towards the
intended amount.
 
    For "secondary market" sales, the Public Offering Price per Unit of each
Trust is based on the Trustee's determination of the bid price of each Security
in the Trust and includes a sales charge as set forth below based upon the
number of years remaining to the maturity of each such Security. 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 Securities in a
Trust portfolio based upon the maturities of such Securities. As shown, the
sales charge on Securities in each maturity range (and therefore the aggregate
sales charge on the purchase) is reduced with respect to volume purchases:
 
Corporate Trust Secondary Market Sales Charges
 
<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.
 
U.S. Treasury Trust Secondary Market Sales Charges
 
<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.............      1.10 %      1.00 %       0.90 %       0.90 %       0.80 %      0.70  %      0.60  %      0.50  %
2 but less than 3.............      1.40        1.30         1.30         1.20         1.10        1.00         0.80         0.70
3 but less than 4.............      1.60        1.50         1.50         1.40         1.30        1.10         1.00         0.80
4 but less than 5.............      1.80        1.70         1.70         1.50         1.40        1.30         1.10         0.90
5 but less than 7.............      1.90        1.80         1.70         1.70         1.50        1.30         1.20         1.00
7 but less than 10............      2.20        2.10         2.00         1.90         1.70        1.50         1.30         1.20
10 but less than 13...........      2.70        2.60         2.40         2.30         2.20        1.90         1.70         1.40
13 but less than 16...........      3.30        3.10         2.90         2.80         2.60        2.30         2.00         1.70
16 or more....................      3.60        3.40         3.30         3.10         2.90        2.50         2.20         1.90
</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 5,000 Units to
  $500,000 and 10,000 Units to $1 million, 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 Corporate 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 Securities in the portfolio of such Trust.
 
    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 aggregate principal amount of Securities deposited in the Trust during
the initial offering period of the Trust.
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
    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 Securities
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 (the "Evaluation 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
"ACCRUED INTEREST."
 
    The graduated sales charges set forth in the tables provided in Part A of
this Prospectus 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-laws, 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 a sales charge as provided
for "Wrap Accounts" as set forth in Part A of this Prospectus 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 Securities 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 Securities in such Trust plus the applicable sales charge. The
offering prices of Securities in a Trust may be expected to average between 1/2%
to 2% more than the bid prices of such Securities. The difference between the
bid side evaluation and the offering side evaluation of the Securities in each
Trust on the business day prior to the Initial 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,
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
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 based upon the pro rata share per Unit
of the offering prices of the Securities 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 certain Trusts at its own expense and
continuously to offer to purchase Units of each such Trust at prices, subject to
change at any time, which are based upon the bid prices of Securities in the
respective portfolios of such Trusts. UNITHOLDERS WHO WISH TO DISPOSE OF THEIR
UNITS SHOULD INQUIRE OF THE TRUSTEE OR THEIR BROKER AS TO THE CURRENT REDEMPTION
PRICE. (See "REDEMPTION.") In connection with its secondary market making
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 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. In maintaining a market for the Units, the Sponsor will realize
profits or sustain losses in the amount of any difference between the price at
which Units are purchased and the price at which Units are resold or redeemed.
The secondary market Public Offering Price of Units may be greater or less than
the cost of such Units to the Sponsor.
    
 
    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 "REDEMPTION.")
 
ACCRUED INTEREST
 
    Accrued interest is the accumulation of unpaid interest on a security bond
from the last day on which interest thereon was paid. Interest on Securities 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. Unitholders will receive on the next distribution date of a Trust
the amount, if any, of accrued interest paid on their Units.
 
    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 Securities as of
the Initial Date of Deposit (which has been designated the first Record Date).
This accrued interest will be paid to the Sponsor as the holder of record of all
Units on the Initial 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 preceding Record Date to, but not including, the date
of settlement of the investor's purchase (three business days after purchase).
The Trustee will recover its advancements (without interest or other cost to the
Trusts) from interest received on the Securities deposited in each Trust.
 
    The Trustee has no cash for distribution to Unitholders until it receives
interest payments on the Securities in the Trusts. Since 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 approximately 30 to 60 days after the
Initial Date of Deposit. Assuming each Trust retains its original size and
composition and expenses and fees
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
remain the same, annual interest collected and distributed will approximate the
estimated Net Annual Interest Income stated in Part A of this Prospectus.
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
"DISTRIBUTIONS TO UNITHOLDERS.") As Securities mature, or are redeemed or sold,
the accrued interest applicable to such securities 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.
 
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 Securities in the Trust's portfolio calculated in accordance with
accepted practice and adjusted to reflect expenses and sales charges. Under
accepted practice, securities 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 securities but also the amortization or
accretion of any premium over, or discount from, the par (maturity) value
inherent in the security's purchase price. In the calculation of Estimated Long
Term Return, the average yield for a Trust's portfolio is derived by weighting
each Security's yield by the market value of the Security and by the amount of
time remaining to the date to which the Security 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 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 effect the return.
 
    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 Securities 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 Securities. 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 securities in the portfolio, and
differences between the expected remaining life of portfolio securities 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 Securities on the
business day prior to the Initial Date of Deposit, subsequent calculations of
these performance measures will reflect the then current market value of the
underlying Securities 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.
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
    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 Securities having delivery dates after the date of
settlement for purchases made on the Initial 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 "TAX
STATUS").
 
    A comparison of estimated current returns with the returns on various other
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 securities, 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. In addition, the Sponsor may compare the performance of
various indices with the performance of U.S. Government securities and bank CDs.
U.S. Government securities, for example, are backed by the full faith and credit
of the U.S. Government and bank CDs 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.
 
EVALUATION OF SECURITIES AT THE INITIAL DATE OF DEPOSIT
 
    The prices at which the Securities deposited in the Trusts would have been
offered to the public on the business day prior to the Initial Date of Deposit
were determined by the Trustee on the basis of an evaluation of such securities
prepared by Kenny S&P Evaluation Services, a division of J.J. Kenny Co., Inc., a
firm regularly engaged in the business of evaluating, quoting or appraising
comparable securities.
 
    The amount by which the Trustee's determination of the OFFERING PRICES of
the Securities deposited in the Trust was greater or less than the cost of such
Securities 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.
 
TAX STATUS
 
   
    For purposes of the following discussion and opinions, it is assumed that
each Obligation is debt for federal income tax purposes and that interest on
each Obligation is includable in gross income for federal income tax purposes.
In the opinion of Chapman and Cutler, special counsel for the Sponsor, under
existing law:
    
 
        1.  Each Trust is not an association taxable as a corporation for
    federal income tax purposes.
 
   
        2.  Each Unitholder will be considered the owner of a pro rata portion
    of each of a Trust's assets for federal income tax purposes under Subpart E,
    Subchapter J of Chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "CODE").
    Each Unitholder will be considered to have received his pro rata share of
    income derived from each Trust asset when such income is considered to be
    received by a Trust. Each Unitholder will be required to include in taxable
    income for federal income tax purposes, original issue discount with respect
    to his interest in any Obligation held by a Trust at the same time and in
    the same manner as though the Unitholder were the direct owner of such
    interest.
    
 
   
        3.  Each Unitholder will have a taxable event when an Obligation is
    disposed of (whether by sale, exchange, liquidation, redemption, or payment
    at maturity) or when the Unitholder redeems or sells his
    
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
   
    Units. A Unitholder's tax basis in his Units will equal his tax basis in his
    pro rata portion of all the assets of the Trust. Such basis is determined
    (before the adjustments described below) by apportioning the tax basis for
    the Units among each of the Trust's assets, according to value as of the
    valuation date nearest the date of acquisition of the Units. Unitholders
    must reduce the tax basis of their Units for their share of accrued interest
    received, if any, on Obligations delivered after the date on which the
    Unitholders pay for their Units to the extent that such interest accrued on
    such Obligations before the date the Trust acquired ownership of the
    Obligations (and the amount of this reduction may exceed the amount of
    accrued interest paid to the sellers) and, consequently, such Unitholders
    may have an increase in taxable gain or reduction in capital loss upon the
    disposition of such Units. Unitholders should consult their own tax advisors
    with regard to calculation of basis.
    
 
   
    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 Obligations (whether by sale, exchange, payment on
maturity, redemption or otherwise) gain or loss is recognized to the Unitholder
(subject to various non-recognition provisions of the Code). The amount of any
such gain or loss is measured by comparing the Unitholders' pro rata share of
the total proceeds from such disposition with his basis for his fractional
interest in the asset disposed of. The basis of each Unit and of each Obligation
which was issued with original issue discount (including the Treasury Bonds) (or
which has market discount) must be increased by the amount of accrued original
issue discount (and market discount if the Unitholder elects to include market
discount in income as it accrues) and the basis of each Unit and of each
Obligation which was purchased by a Trust at a premium must be reduced by the
annual amortization of bond premium which the Unitholder has properly elected to
amortize under Section 171 of the Code. The tax basis reduction requirements of
the Code relating to amortization of bond premium may, under some circumstances,
result in the Unitholder realizing a taxable gain when his Units are sold or
redeemed for an amount equal to or less than his original cost. A Trust may
contain certain "zero coupon" Securities (the "STRIPPED TREASURY SECURITIES")
that are treated as bonds that were originally issued at an original issue
discount provided, pursuant to a Treasury Regulation (the "REGULATION") issued
on December 28, 1992, that the amount of original issue discount determined
under Section 1286 of the Code is not less than a DE MINIMIS amount as
determined thereunder. Because the Stripped Treasury Securities represent
interests in "stripped" U.S. Treasury bonds, a Unitholder's initial cost for his
pro rata portion of each Stripped Treasury Security held by a Trust (determined
at the time he acquires his Units, in the manner described above) shall be
treated as its "purchase price" by the Unitholder. Original issue discount is
effectively treated as interest for federal income tax purposes, and the amount
of original issue discount in this case is generally the difference between the
bond's purchase price and its stated redemption price at maturity. A Unitholder
will be required to include in gross income for each taxable year the sum of his
daily portions of original issue discount attributable to the Stripped Treasury
Securities held by a Trust as such original issue discount accrues and will, in
general, be subject to federal income tax with respect to the total amount of
such original issue discount that accrues for such year even though the income
is not distributed to the Unitholders during such year to the extent it is not
less than a DE MINIMIS amount as determined under the Regulation. To the extent
that the amount of such discount is less than the respective DE MINIMIS amount,
such discount shall be treated as zero. In general, original issue discount
accrues daily under a constant interest rate method which takes into account the
semi-annual compounding of accrued interest. In the case of the Stripped
Treasury Securities, this method will generally result in an increasing amount
of income to the Unitholders each year. Unitholders should consult their tax
advisors regarding the Federal income tax consequences and accretion of original
issue discounts.
    
 
    Limitations on Deductibility of Trust Expenses by Unitholders -- Each
Unitholder's pro rata share of each expense paid by a Trust is deductible by the
Unitholder to the same extent as though the expense had been paid directly by
him. It should be noted that as a result of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, certain
miscellaneous itemized deductions, such as investment expenses, tax return
preparation fees and employee business expenses, will be deductible by an
individual only to the extent they exceed 2% of such individual's adjusted gross
income (similar limitations also apply to estates and trusts). Unitholders may
be required to treat some or all of the expenses paid by each Trust as
miscellaneous itemized deductions subject to this limitation.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
   
    Premium -- If a Unitholder's tax basis of his pro rata portion in any
Securities held by a Trust exceeds the amount payable by the issuer of the
Obligation with respect to such pro rata interest upon the maturity of the
Obligation, such excess would be considered "premium" which may be amortized by
the Unitholder at the Unitholder's election as provided in Section 171 of the
Code. Unitholders should consult their tax advisors regarding whether such
election should be made and the manner of amortizing premium.
    
 
   
    Original Issue Discount -- Certain of the Obligations in a Trust may have
been acquired with "original issue discount." In the case of any Obligations in
a Trust acquired with "original issue discount" that exceeds a "DE MINIMIS"
amount as specified in the Code or in the case of the Stripped Treasury
Securities as specified in the Regulation, such discount is includable in
taxable income of the Unitholders on an accrual basis computed daily, without
regard to when payments of interest on such Obligations are received. The Code
provides a complex set of rules regarding the accrual of original issue
discount. These rules provide that original issue discount generally accrues on
the basis of a constant compound interest rate over the term of the Obligations.
Unitholders should consult their tax advisors as to the amount of original issue
discount which accrues.
    
 
   
    Special original issue discount rules apply if the purchase price of the
Obligation by a Trust exceeds its original issue price plus the amount of
original issue discount which would have previously accrued based upon its issue
price (its "ADJUSTED ISSUE PRICE"). Similarly, these special rules would apply
to a Unitholder if the tax basis of his pro rata portion of an Obligation issued
with original issue discount exceeds his pro rata portion of its adjusted issue
price. Unitholders should also consult their tax advisers regarding these
special rules.
    
 
   
    It is possible that a Corporate Bond that has been issued at an original
issue discount may be characterized as a "high-yield discount obligation" within
the meaning of Section 163(e)(5) of the Code. To the extent that such an
obligation is issued at a yield in excess of six percentage points over the
applicable Federal rate, a portion of the original issue discount on such
obligation will be characterized as a distribution on stock (e.g., dividends)
for purposes of the dividends received deduction which is available to certain
corporations with respect to certain dividends received by such corporation.
    
 
    Market Discount -- If a Unitholder's tax basis in his pro rata portion of
Securities is less than the allocable portion of such Security's stated
redemption price at maturity (or, if issued with original issue discount, the
allocable portion of its "REVISED ISSUE PRICE"), such difference will constitute
market discount unless the amount of market discount is "DE MINIMIS" as
specified in the Code. Market discount accrues daily computed on a straight-line
basis, unless the Unitholder elects to calculate accrued market discount under a
constant-yield method. The market discount rules do not apply to Stripped
Treasury Securities because they are stripped debt instruments subject to
special original issue discount rules discussed above. Unitholders should
consult their own tax advisers regarding whether an election should be made and
as to the amount of market discount which accrues.
 
   
    Accrued market discount is generally includable in taxable income to the
Unitholders as ordinary income for Federal tax purposes upon the receipt of
serial principal payments on the Obligations, on the sale, maturity or
disposition of such Obligations by a Trust, and on the sale by a Unitholder of
Units, unless a Unitholder elects to include the accrued market discount in
taxable income as such discount accrues. If a Unitholder does not elect to
annually include accrued market discount in taxable income as it accrues,
deductions for any interest expense incurred by the Unitholder which is incurred
to purchase or carry his Units will be reduced by such accrued market discount.
In general, the portion of any interest expense which was not currently
deductible would ultimately be deductible when the accrued market discount is
included in income. Unitholders should consult their tax advisors regarding
whether an election should be made to include market discount in income as it
accrues and as to the amount of interest expense which may not be currently
deductible.
    
 
   
    Computation of the Unitholder's Tax Basis -- The tax basis of a Unitholder
with respect to his interest in an Obligation is increased by the amount of
original issue discount (and market discount, if the Unitholder elects to
include market discount, if any, on the Obligations held by a Trust in income as
it accrues) thereon
    
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
properly included in the Unitholder's gross income as determined for Federal
income tax purposes and reduced by the amount of any amortized premium which the
Unitholder has properly elected to amortize under Section 171 of the Code. A
Unitholder's tax basis in his Units will equal his tax basis in his pro rata
portion of all of the assets of a Trust.
 
   
    Recognition of Taxable Gain or Loss upon Disposition of Obligations by a
Trust or Disposition of Unit -- A Unitholder will recognize taxable capital gain
(or loss) when all or part of his pro rata interest in an Obligation is disposed
of in a taxable transaction for an amount greater (or less) than his tax basis
therefor (subject to various non-recognition provisions of the Code). As
previously discussed, gain realized on the disposition of the interest of a
Unitholder in any Obligation deemed to have been acquired with market discount
will be treated as ordinary income to the extent the gain does not exceed the
amount of accrued market discount not previously taken into income. Any capital
gain or loss arising from the disposition of an Obligation by a Trust or the
disposition of Units by a Unitholder will be determined by the period of time
the Unitholder held his Unit and the period of time the Trust held the
Obligation. For taxpayers other than corporations, net capital gain (which is
defined as net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss for the
taxable year) is subject to a maximum marginal stated tax rate of either 28% or
20%, depending upon the holding periods of the capital assets. Capital gain or
loss is long-term if the holding period for the asset is more than one year, and
is short-term if the holding period for the asset is one year or less. The date
on which a Unit is acquired (i.e., the "trade date") is excluded for purposes of
determining the holding period of the Unit. Generally, capital gains realized
from assets held for more than one year but not more than 18 months are taxed at
a maximum marginal stated tax rate of 28% and capital gains realized from assets
(with certain exclusions) held for more than 18 months are taxed at a maximum
marginal stated tax rate of 20% (10% in the case of certain taxpayers in the
lowest tax bracket). Further, capital gains realized from assets held for one
year or less are taxed at the same rates as ordinary income. Legislation is
currently pending that provides the appropriate methodology that should be
applied in netting the realized capital gains and losses. Such legislation is
proposed to be effective retroactively for tax years ending after May 6, 1997.
It should be noted that legislative proposals are introduced from time to time
that affect tax rates and could affect relative differences at which ordinary
income and capital gains are taxed.
    
 
    In addition, please note that capital gains may be recharacterized as
ordinary income in the case of certain financial transactions that are
considered "conversion transactions" effective for transactions entered into
after April 30, 1993. Unitholders and prospective investors should consult with
their tax advisers regarding the potential effect of this provision on their
investment in Units.
 
    The Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 (the "1997 ACT") includes provisions that
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 (but not loss) and for
purposes of determining the holding period. Unitholders should consult their own
tax advisors with regard to any such constructive sales rules.
 
   
    If the Unitholder disposes of a Unit, he is deemed thereby to have disposed
of his entire pro rata interest in all Trust assets, including his pro rata
portion of all of the Obligations represented by the Unit. This may result in a
portion of the gain, if any, on such sale being taxable as ordinary income under
the market discount rules (assuming no election was made by the Unitholder to
include market discount in income as it accrues) as previously discussed. The
tax basis reduction requirements of the Code relating to amortization of
Obligation premium may, under some circumstances, result in the Unitholder's
realizing taxable gain when his Units are sold or redeemed for an amount equal
to or less than his original cost.
    
 
   
    Foreign Investors -- A Unitholder who is a foreign investor (I.E., an
investor other than a U.S. citizen or resident or a U.S. corporation,
partnership, estate or trust) will not be subject to United States federal
income taxes, including withholding taxes, on interest income (including any
original issue discount) on, or any gain from the sale or other disposition of,
his pro rata interest in any Obligation or the sale of his Units PROVIDED that
all of the following conditions are met (i) the interest income or gain is not
effectively connected with the
    
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
   
conduct by the foreign investor of a trade or business within the United States,
(ii) if the interest is United States source income (which is the case for most
securities issued by United States issuers), the Obligation is issued after July
18, 1984, then the foreign investor does not own, directly or indirectly, 10% or
more of the total combined voting power of all classes of voting stock of the
issuer of the Obligation and the foreign investor is not a controlled foreign
corporation related (within the meaning of Section 864(d)(4) of the Code) to the
issuer of the Obligation, or (iii) with respect to any gain, the foreign
investor (if an individual) is not present in the United States for 183 days or
more during his taxable year, and (iv) the foreign investor provides all
certification which may be required of his or her status (foreign investors may
contact the Sponsor to obtain a Form W-8 which must be filed with the Trustee
and refiled every three calendar years thereafter). Foreign investors should
consult their tax advisers with respect to United States tax consequences of
ownership of Units.
    
 
    It should be noted that the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993 includes a
provision which eliminates the exemption from United States taxation, including
withholding taxes, for certain "contingent interest." The provision applies to
interest received after December 31, 1993. No opinion is expressed herein
regarding the potential applicability of this provision and whether United
States taxation or withholding taxes could be imposed with respect to income
derived from the Units as a result thereof. Unitholders and prospective
investors should consult with their tax advisers regarding the potential effect
of this provision on their investment in Units.
 
    General -- Each Unitholder (other than a foreign investor who has properly
provided the certifications described above) will be requested to provide the
Unitholder's taxpayer identification number to the Trustee and to certify that
the Unitholder has not been notified that payments to the Unitholder are subject
to back-up withholding. If the proper taxpayer identification number and
appropriate certification are not provided when requested, distributions by a
Trust to such Unitholder including amounts received upon the redemption of the
Units will be subject to back-up withholding.
 
   
    The foregoing discussion relates only to United States federal income taxes
and applies only to the Trusts which are described in this Prospectus;
Unitholders may be subject to foreign, state and local taxation in other
jurisdictions (including a foreign investor's country of residence). Unitholders
should consult their tax advisers regarding potential state, local, or foreign
taxation with respect to the Units.
    
 
    In the opinion of Carter, Ledyard & Milburn, special counsel to the Trusts
for New York tax matters 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 under the existing income tax laws of the State and City of New
York.
 
    The Sponsor believes that investors who are individuals will not be subject
to any state or local personal income taxes on the interest received by the U.S.
Treasury Trusts and distributed to them. However, investors (including
individuals) may be subject to state and local taxes on any capital gains (or
market discount treated as ordinary income) derived from the U.S. Treasury
Trusts and to other state and local taxes (including corporate income or
franchise taxes, personal property or intangibles taxes, and estate or
inheritance taxes) on their Units or the income derived therefrom. In addition,
individual investors (and any other investors which are not subject to state and
local taxes on the interest income derived from the U.S. Treasury Trusts) will
probably not be entitled to a deduction for state and local tax purposes for
their share of the fees and expenses paid by the U.S. Treasury Trusts, for any
amortized bond premium or for any interest on indebtedness incurred to purchase
or carry their Units. Therefore, even though the Sponsor believes that interest
income from the U.S. Treasury Trusts is exempt from state and local personal
income taxes in all states, investors should consult their own tax advisers with
respect to state and local taxation.
 
TRUST OPERATING EXPENSES
 
    No annual advisory fee is charged to the Trusts by the Sponsor. The Sponsor
does, however, receive those fees as set forth in "EXPENSE INFORMATION" in Part
A of this Prospectus for regularly evaluating the Bonds and for maintaining
surveillance over the portfolio. (See "UNIT VALUE AND EVALUATION.")
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
    The Trustee receives for ordinary recurring services an annual fee for each
plan of distribution for each Trust as set forth in "EXPENSE INFORMATION"
appearing in Part A of this Prospectus. Each annual fee is per $1,000 principal
amount of the underlying Securities 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 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
Corporate Bond issuers with respect to the Corporate Bonds in the Insured
Corporate Trusts have been paid in full prior to the deposit of the Corporate
Bonds in the Corporate Trusts, and the value of such insurance has been included
in the evaluation of the Corporate Bonds in each Corporate Trust and accordingly
in the Public Offering Price of Units of each Corporate 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 amortized and paid by the
Trust over the lesser of 60 months or the life of the Trust. 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 Securities 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 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 Securities 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.
 
DISTRIBUTIONS TO UNITHOLDERS
 
    Interest received by the Trustee on the Securities in each Trust, including
that part of the proceeds of any disposition of Securities which represents
accrued interest and including any insurance proceeds representing interest due
on defaulted Corporate 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. With the exception of proceeds received from maturing U.S. Treasury
Obligations by the U.S. Treasury Trusts, proceeds received from the disposition,
including sale, call or maturity, of any of the Securities and all amounts paid
with respect to zero coupon bonds and Stripped Obligations will be held
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
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.
Proceeds received by a U.S. Treasury Trust as a result of the maturity of an
underlying U.S. Treasury Obligation will be distributed within five business
days after such U.S. Treasury Obligation matures to Unitholders of record on
such maturity 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 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 after the Initial Date of Deposit 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 based upon estimated Net Annual Interest Income at the Initial Date
of Deposit. The amount of the regular distributions will generally change when
Securities 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 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 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.
 
    Unitholders of a Trust which contains Stripped Treasury Securities should
note that Stripped Treasury Securities are sold at a deep discount because the
buyer of those securities obtains only the right to receive a future fixed
payment on the security and not any rights to periodic interest payments
thereon. Purchasers of
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
these Securities acquire, in effect, discount obligations that are economically
identical to the "zero-coupon bonds" that have been issued by corporations. Zero
coupon bonds are debt obligations which do not make any periodic payments of
interest prior to maturity and accordingly are issued at a deep discount. Under
generally accepted accounting principles, a holder of a security purchased at a
discount normally must report as an item of income for financial accounting
purposes the portion of the discount attributable to the applicable reporting
period. The calculation of this attributable income would be made on the
"interest" method which generally will result in a lesser amount of includable
income in earlier periods and a corresponding larger amount in later periods.
For federal income tax purposes, the inclusion will be on a basis that reflects
the effective compounding of accrued but unpaid interest effectively represented
by the discount. Although this treatment is similar to the "interest" method
described above, the "interest" method may differ to the extent that generally
accepted accounting principles permit or require the inclusion of interest on
the basis of a compounding period other than the semi-annual period. See "TAX
STATUS."
 
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. Such notice will be effective as of the next Record Date occurring at
least 10 days after the Trustee's receipt of the notice. 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.
 
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. 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 Securities), 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 Securities and the net proceeds received therefrom (excluding
any portion representing accrued interest), the amount paid for purchase of
Replacement Securities, 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 Securities 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
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
Principal Account, separately stated, expressed both as total dollar amounts and
as dollar amounts representing the pro rata share of each Unit outstanding.
 
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 (other than cash declared held in trust to cover
contracts to purchase securities) or moneys in the process of being collected,
(2) the value of the Securities in the Trust based on the BID prices of the
Securities; (3) interest accrued thereon not subject to collection and
distribution and (4) amounts representing organizational expenses paid less
accrued organizational expenses of the Trust, LESS (1) amounts representing
taxes or governmental charges payable out of the Trust, (2) the accrued expenses
of the Trust and (3) cash held for distribution to Unitholders of record, and
required for redemption of Units tendered, as of a date prior to the date of
evaluation. The result of such computation is divided by the number of Units of
the 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
Securities in each Trust (1) on the basis of current BID prices of the
Securities obtained from dealers or brokers who customarily deal in securities
comparable to those held by the Trust, (2) if bid prices are not available for
any of the Securities, on the basis of bid prices for comparable securities, (3)
by causing the value of the Securities to be determined by others engaged in the
practice of evaluating, quoting or appraising comparable securities or (4) by
any combination of the above. Although the Unit Value of each Trust is based on
the BID prices of the Securities, the Units are sold initially to the public at
the Public Offering Price based on the OFFERING prices of the Securities.
 
    Because the insurance obtained by the Sponsor or by the issuers of Corporate
Bonds with respect to the Corporate Bonds in the Insured Corporate Trusts is
effective so long as such Corporate Bonds are outstanding, such insurance will
be taken into account in determining the bid and offering prices of such
Corporate Bonds and therefore some value attributable to such insurance will be
included in the value of Units of Corporate Trusts that include such Corporate
Bonds.
 
DISTRIBUTIONS OF UNITS 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 the Trusts for
sale under the laws of substantially all of the states of the United States of
America.
 
   
    Promptly following the deposit of Securities 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 ($1,000 or 10
Units for Traditional and Roth IRA purchases and $500 or nearest whole number of
Units whose value is less than $500 for Education IRA purchases), 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. The amounts of such discounts are set
forth in Part A of this Prospectus.
 
    The Sponsor currently intends to maintain a secondary market for Units of
certain Trusts. 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 "PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE", 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:
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
Corporate Trust Dealer Concessions
 
<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.
 
U.S. Treasury Trust Dealer Concessions
 
<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.........   0.715%     0.650%     0.585%     0.585%     0.520%      0.455%      0.390%      0.325%
2 but less than 3.........    0.910      0.845      0.845      0.780      0.715      0.650       0.520       0.455
3 but less than 4.........    1.040      0.975      0.975      0.910      0.845      0.715       0.650       0.520
4 but less than 5.........    1.170      1.105      1.105      0.975      0.910      0.845       0.715       0.585
5 but less than 7.........    1.235      1.170      1.105      1.105      0.975      0.845       0.780       0.650
7 but less than 10........    1.430      1.365      1.300      1.235      1.105      0.975       0.845       0.780
10 but less than 13.......    1.755      1.690      1.560      1.495      1.430      1.235       1.105       0.910
13 but less than 16.......    2.145      2.015      1.885      1.820      1.690      1.495       1.300       1.105
16 or More................    2.340      2.210      2.145      2.015      1.885      1.625       1.430       1.235
</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 5,000 Units to
  $500,000 and 10,000 Units to $1 million, etc., and will be applied on that
  basis which is more favorable to the purchaser.
 
    The Sponsor reserves the right to change the amounts of the 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 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>
DOLLAR-WEIGHTED                     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.
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
    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 "PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE.")
 
    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 registered Certificates unless the
Unitholder expressly requests that ownership be evidenced by a book entry
position recorded on the books and records of the Trustee. 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 Unitholder 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 of 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 Unitholders. 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
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
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 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.
 
REDEMPTION
 
    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 Unitholders. 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 Securities 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.
 
                                       29
<PAGE>
    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 Securities of a Trust in order to make funds available for
redemption. (See "REMOVAL OF SECURITIES FROM THE TRUSTS.") Units so redeemed
shall be cancelled. To the extent that Securities are sold from the Trusts, the
size and diversity of such Trust will be reduced. Such sales may be required at
a time when Securities 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
Securities in each Trust, while the initial Public Offering Price of Units will
be determined on the basis of the OFFERING prices of the Securities 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
Securities may be expected to average 1/2% to 2% of principal amount. In the
case of actively traded Securities, the difference may be as little as 1/4 to
1/2 of 1%, and in the case of inactively traded Securities such difference
usually will not exceed 3%.
 
    The right of redemption may be suspended and payment postponed (1) for any
period in which the New York Stock Exchange is closed, other than customary
weekend and holiday closings or for any period during which the Securities and
Exchange Commission determines that trading on the New York Stock Exchange is
restricted, (2) for any period during which an emergency exists, as a result of
which disposal or evaluation of the Securities is not reasonably practicable, or
(3) 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 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."
 
PURCHASE OF UNITS 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 "REDEMPTION.") 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.
 
REMOVAL OF SECURITIES FROM THE TRUSTS
 
    Securities will be removed from a Trust as they mature or are redeemed by
the issuers thereof. The Indenture also empowers the Trustee to sell Securities
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
Securities in each Trust to be sold in such circumstances. In deciding which
Securities should be sold the Sponsor intends to consider, among other things,
such factors as: (1) market conditions; (2) market prices of the Securities; (3)
the effect on income
 
                                       30
<PAGE>
distributions to Unitholders of the sale of various Securities; (4) the effect
on principal amount of underlying Securities per Unit of the sale of various
Securities; (5) the financial condition of the issuers; and (6) the effect of
the sale of various Securities on the investment character of the Trust. Such
sales, if required, could result in the sale of Securities by the Trustee at
prices less than original cost to the Trust. To the extent Securities are sold,
the size and diversity of such Trust will be reduced.
 
    In addition, the Sponsor is empowered to direct the Trustee to liquidate
Securities 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 Securities, or an adverse change in market, revenue or credit
factors affecting the investment character of the Securities. If a default in
the payment of the principal of and/or interest on any of the Securities occurs,
and if the Sponsor fails to instruct the Trustee whether to sell or continue to
hold such Securities within 30 days after notification by the Trustee to the
Sponsor of such default, the Indenture provides that the Trustee shall liquidate
said Securities forthwith and shall not be liable for any loss so incurred. The
Sponsor may also direct the Trustee to liquidate Securities in a Trust if the
Securities 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 Securities on their
redemption date.
 
    Except as stated in "COMPOSITION OF THE TRUST" regarding the deposit of
additional securities or the limited right of substitution of Replacement
Securities for Failed Securities, and except for refunding Securities that may
be exchanged for Securities under certain conditions specified in the Indenture,
the Indenture does not permit either the Sponsor or the Trustee to acquire or
deposit securities either in addition to, or in substitution for, any of the
Securities 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 Securities. 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 Securities 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.
 
    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
 
                                       31
<PAGE>
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 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.
 
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 permit the deposit
or acquisition of securities either in addition to, or in substitution for any
of the Securities initially deposited in any Trust except as stated
 
                                       32
<PAGE>
in "COMPOSITION OF THE TRUSTS" regarding the creation of additional Units and
the limited right of substitution of Replacement Securities and except for the
substitution of refunding securities 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 aggregate principal amount of Securities
deposited in a Trust during the initial offering period 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 Securities originally deposited in the portfolio. (See
"ESSENTIAL INFORMATION" appearing in Part A of this Prospectus.) The sale of
Securities 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
upon termination may be less than the principal amount of Securities originally
represented by the Units held by such Unitholder. The Indenture will terminate
upon the redemption, sale or other disposition of the last Securities held
thereunder, but in no event shall it continue beyond the end of the calendar
year preceding the fiftieth anniversary of its execution for Long-Term, Long
Intermediate, and Intermediate Trusts, beyond the end of the calendar year
preceding the tenth anniversary of its execution for Short Intermediate and
Short Term Trusts or beyond the Mandatory Termination Date.
 
    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 Securities 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. Carter, Ledyard &
Milburn, 2 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005, has acted as counsel for the
Trustee and special New York tax counsel with respect to the Trusts.
 
AUDITORS
 
    The "Statement of Condition" and "Schedule of Investments" at Initial 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 their respective 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.
This supplement includes additional general information about the Sponsor and
the Trusts.
 
                                       33
<PAGE>
   
                               NUVEEN UNIT TRUSTS
                               PROSPECTUS--PART B
                                 APRIL 8, 1998
    
 
<TABLE>
<C>                      <S>
                Sponsor  John Nuveen & Co.
                         Incorporated
                         333 West Wacker Drive
                         Chicago, IL 60606-1286
                Trustee  The Chase Manhattan Bank
                         4 New York Plaza
                         New York, NY 10004-2413
                         Telephone: 800-257-8787
       Legal Counsel to  Chapman and Cutler
                Sponsor  111 West Monroe Street
                         Chicago, IL 60603
            Independent  Arthur Andersen LLP
     Public Accountants  33 West Monroe Street
         for the Trusts  Chicago, IL 60603
</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 a 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 UNIT TRUSTS
                             INFORMATION SUPPLEMENT
              NUVEEN INSURED CORPORATE TRUST SERIES 3 (LONG-TERM)
 
    The Information Supplement provides additional information concerning the
structure and operations of a Nuveen 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>
ACCUMULATION PLAN.......................................................................          2
INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPONSOR...........................................................          4
DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS..................................................................          5
ESTIMATED CASH FLOWS....................................................................          8
HOW TO CALCULATE YOUR ESTIMATED INCOME..................................................          9
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-1
<PAGE>
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
    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
 
                                      S-2
<PAGE>
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 Municipal and Stock Fund
 
Nuveen Balanced Stock and Bond 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 nominally 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
 
                                      S-3
<PAGE>
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, 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.
 
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.
 
    The Sponsor is also principal underwriter of the registered open-end
investment companies set forth herein under "Accumulation Plan" as well as for
the Golden Rainbow A James Advised Mutual Fund, and acted as co-managing
underwriter of Nuveen Municipal Value Fund, Inc., Nuveen California Municipal
Value Fund, Inc., Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund, Inc., Nuveen Municipal
Income Fund, Inc., Nuveen Premium Income Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen
Performance Plus Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen California Performance Plus
Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen New York Performance Plus Municipal Fund, Inc.,
Nuveen Municipal Advantage Fund, Inc., Nuveen Municipal Market Opportunity Fund,
Inc. Nuveen California Municipal Market Opportunity Fund, Inc., Nuveen
Investment Quality Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen California Investment Quality
Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen New York Investment Quality Municipal Fund, Inc.,
Nuveen Insured Quality Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Florida Investment Quality
Municipal Fund, Nuveen Pennsylvania Investment Quality Municipal Fund, Nuveen
New Jersey Investment Quality Municipal Fund, Inc., and the Nuveen Select
Quality Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen California Select Quality Municipal Fund,
Inc., Nuveen New York Select Quality Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Quality Income
Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Insured Municipal Opportunity Fund, Inc., Nuveen
Florida Quality Income Municipal Fund, Nuveen Michigan Quality Income Municipal
Fund, Inc., Nuveen Ohio Quality Income Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Texas
Quality Income Municipal Fund, Nuveen California Quality Income Municipal Fund,
Inc., Nuveen New York Quality Income Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Premier
Municipal Income Fund, Inc., Nuveen Premier Insured Municipal Income Fund, Inc.,
Nuveen Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio, Nuveen Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio
2, Nuveen Insured California Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio, Nuveen Insured
New York Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio, Nuveen Premium Income Municipal Fund
2, Inc., Nuveen Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio 3, Nuveen Select Maturities
Municipal Fund, Nuveen Insured California Premium Income Municipal Fund, Inc.,
Nuveen Arizona Premium Income Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Insured Florida
Premium Income Municipal Fund, Nuveen Michigan Premium Income Municipal Fund,
Inc., Nuveen New Jersey Premium Income Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Insured New
York Premium Income Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Premium Income Municipal Fund
4, Inc., Nuveen Pennsylvania Premium Income Municipal Fund 2, Nuveen Maryland
Premium Income Municipal Fund, Nuveen Virginia Premium Income Municipal Fund,
Nuveen
 
                                      S-4
<PAGE>
Massachusetts Premium Income Municipal Fund, Nuveen Insured California Premium
Income Municipal Fund 2, Inc., Nuveen Washington Premium Income Municipal Fund,
Nuveen Georgia Premium Income Municipal Fund, Nuveen Missouri Premium Income
Municipal Fund, Nuveen Connecticut Premium Income Municipal Fund, Nuveen North
Carolina Premium Income Municipal Fund, Nuveen California Premium Income
Municipal Fund, Nuveen Insured Premium Income Municipal Fund 2, all registered
closed-end management investment companies. These registered open-end and
closed-end investment companies currently have approximately $35 billion in
securities under management. 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 Trust to reach their investment goals, the Trust's sponsor,
John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated, 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 Trust, 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 Trust's sponsor may produce software or
additional sales literature to promote the advantages of using the Trust to meet
these and other specific investor needs.
 
    The Sponsor offers a program of advertising support to registered
broker-dealer firms, banks and bank affiliates ("FIRMS") that sell Trust Units
or shares of Nuveen Open-End Mutual Funds (excluding money-market funds)
("FUNDS"). Under this program, the Sponsor will pay or reimburse the Firm for up
to one half of specified media costs incurred in the placement of advertisements
which jointly feature the Firm and the Nuveen Funds and Trusts. Reimbursements
to the Firm will be based on the number of the Firm's registered representatives
who have sold Fund Shares and/or Trust Units during the prior calendar year
according to an established schedule. Reimbursements under this program will be
made by the Sponsor and not by the Funds or Trusts.
 
    A comparison of the estimated returns of the Trust and the historic
performance of corporate bonds to the returns and performance of other
investments is one element to consider in making an informed investment
decision. The Sponsor may compare the estimated returns of the Trust with the
current or historical yields or returns of other investments, including
Certificates of Deposit, U.S. Government Securities and money market funds. In
addition, the Sponsor may compare the returns of various indices with the
estimated returns of the Trust and the historical or current returns of
Corporate bonds and Corporate bond indices. The Sponsor may also quote various
performance measures and studies in order to compare the historical returns
available from an investment in Corporate bonds with investments in other
tax-free and taxable securities. Other types of fixed income securities 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 and
local personal 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.
 
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.
 
                                      S-5
<PAGE>
    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.
 
                                      S-6
<PAGE>
RATINGS OF INSURED TRUST UNITS
 
    A Standard & Poor's rating on the units of a unit investment trust
(hereinafter referred to collectively as "units" and "trusts") is a current
assessment of creditworthiness with respect to the investment held by such
trust. This assessment takes into consideration the financial capacity of the
issuers and of any guarantors, insurers, lessees or mortgagors with respect to
such investments. The assessment, however, does not take into account the extent
to which trust expenses or portfolio asset sales for less than the trust
purchase price will reduce payment to the unitholder of the interest and
principal required to be paid on the portfolio assets. In addition, the rating
is not a recommendation to purchase, sell or hold units, inasmuch as the rating
does not comment as to market price of the units or suitability for a particular
investor.
 
    Units rated "AAA" are composed exclusively of assets that are rated "AAA" by
Standard & Poor's and/or certain short-term investments. Standard & Poor's
defines its AAA rating for such assets as the highest rating assigned by
Standard & Poor's to a debt obligation. Capacity to pay interest and repay
principal is very strong. However, unit ratings may be subject to revision or
withdrawal at any time by Standard & Poor's and each rating should be evaluated
independently of any other rating. Such rating is only available for the first
13 months after the initial Date of Deposit of a Trust, unless the Sponsor
elects to renew the rating.
 
    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,
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.
 
                                      S-7
<PAGE>
    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.
 
ESTIMATED CASH FLOWS
 
    The tables below set forth the estimated distributions per Unit of interest
and principal to Unitholders under each plan of distribution. The tables assume
no changes in Trust expenses, no redemptions or sales of the underlying Bonds
prior to maturity and the receipt of all principal due upon maturity. To the
extent the foregoing assumptions change, actual distributions will vary. There
is no guarantee that the principal amount distributed to a Unitholder by the
Trust will be equivalent to the investor's original investment.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                           <C>
MONTHLY
                                                                                       Total
                                                                                   Principal
                                                                                  & Interest
Dates                                                                                Payment
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5/15/98.....................................................................       $0.4064
6/15/98 - 4/15/03...........................................................        0.5301
5/15/03 - 7/15/22...........................................................        0.5316
8/15/22.....................................................................        9.6225
9/15/22 - 5/15/23...........................................................        0.5334
6/15/23.....................................................................       11.8970
7/15/23 - 9/15/23...........................................................        0.4644
10/15/23....................................................................       11.8280
11/15/23 - 1/15/24..........................................................        0.3981
2/15/24.....................................................................       11.7617
3/15/24 - 8/15/24...........................................................        0.3315
9/15/24.....................................................................       11.6951
10/15/24 - 5/15/25..........................................................        0.2673
6/15/25.....................................................................       11.6309
7/15/25 - 9/15/25...........................................................        0.1995
10/15/25....................................................................       11.5631
11/15/25 - 5/15/33..........................................................        0.1320
6/15/33.....................................................................       11.4956
7/15/33 & 8/15/33...........................................................        0.0630
9/15/33.....................................................................       11.3951
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-8
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                           <C>
QUARTERLY
                                                                                Total
                                                                              Principal
                                                                              & Interest
Dates                                                                         Payment
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5/15/98.....................................................................     $0.4064
8/15/98 - 2/15/03...........................................................      1.5993
5/15/03 - 5/15/22...........................................................      1.6038
8/15/22.....................................................................     10.6947
11/15/22 - 5/15/23..........................................................      1.6074
6/15/23.....................................................................     11.3636
8/15/23.....................................................................      1.4688
10/15/23....................................................................     11.3636
11/15/23....................................................................      1.3338
2/15/24.....................................................................     12.5642
5/15/24 - 8/15/24...........................................................      0.9999
9/15/24.....................................................................     11.3636
11/15/24....................................................................      0.8703
2/15/25 - 5/15/25...........................................................      0.8064
6/15/25.....................................................................     11.3636
8/15/25.....................................................................      0.6696
10/15/25....................................................................     11.3636
11/15/25....................................................................      0.5337
2/15/26 - 5/15/33...........................................................      0.3978
6/15/33.....................................................................     11.3636
8/15/33.....................................................................      0.2592
9/15/33.....................................................................     11.4565
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-9
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                           <C>
SEMI-ANNUAL
                                                                                       Total
                                                                                   Principal
                                                                                  & Interest
Dates                                                                                Payment
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5/15/98.....................................................................     $0.4064
11/15/98 - 11/15/02.........................................................      3.2076
5/15/03 - 5/15/22...........................................................      3.2166
8/15/22.....................................................................      9.0909
11/15/22....................................................................      3.2202
5/15/23.....................................................................      3.2238
6/15/23 - 10/15/23..........................................................     11.3636
11/15/23....................................................................      2.8098
2/15/24.....................................................................     11.3636
5/15/24.....................................................................      2.2068
9/15/24.....................................................................     11.3636
11/15/24....................................................................      1.8756
5/15/25.....................................................................      1.6164
6/15/25 - 10/15/25..........................................................     11.3636
11/15/25....................................................................      1.2078
5/15/26 - 5/15/33...........................................................      0.7974
6/15/33.....................................................................     11.3636
9/15/33.....................................................................     11.8026
</TABLE>
 
HOW TO CALCULATE YOUR ESTIMATED INCOME
 
The example provided below illustrates how to calculate the estimated annual
income generated by a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Trust. The
illustration assumes 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 of the Securities provided in "Schedule of Investments"
in Part A of this Prospectus. This hypothetical example is for illustrative
purposes only and is not intended to reflect or predict the results of any
actual investment and does not reflect any potential changes to the portfolio or
expenses.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                       <C>        <C>                       <C>        <C>
EXAMPLE OF HOW TO CALCULATE YOUR ESTIMATED INCOME:
 
    NUVEEN INSURED CORPORATE TRUST, SERIES 3 (LONG-TERM)
 
    $10,000                DIVIDED BY $102.39                  =          97.665
    Investment                       Offering price and                   # of units purchased
    (as of 4/07/98)                  accrued interest
 
    97.665                X          $6.3644                   =          $621.58
    # of units purchased             Annual income per unit               annual income
                                     (monthly plan)
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-10
<PAGE>
                               NUVEEN UNIT TRUSTS
                             INFORMATION SUPPLEMENT
               NUVEEN U.S. TREASURY TRUST, SERIES 5 (SHORT-TERM)
              NUVEEN U.S. TREASURY TRUST, SERIES 6 (INTERMEDIATE)
 
    The Information Supplement provides additional information concerning the
structure and operations of a Nuveen 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>
ACCUMULATION PLAN.......................................................................          2
INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPONSOR...........................................................          3
EFFECT OF STATE PERSONAL INCOME TAX EXEMPTION...........................................          5
DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS..................................................................          7
HOW LADDERING MANAGES CASH FLOW.........................................................         10
</TABLE>
 
                                      S-1
<PAGE>
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
    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
 
                                      S-2
<PAGE>
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 nominally 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
 
                                      S-3
<PAGE>
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
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.
 
    The Sponsor is also principal underwriter of the registered open-end
investment companies set forth herein under "Accumulation Plan" as well as for
the Golden Rainbow A James Advised Mutual Fund, and acted as co-managing
underwriter of Nuveen Municipal Value Fund, Inc., Nuveen California Municipal
Value Fund, Inc., Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund, Inc., Nuveen Municipal
Income Fund, Inc., Nuveen Premium Income Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen
Performance Plus Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen California Performance Plus
Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen New York Performance Plus Municipal Fund, Inc.,
Nuveen Municipal Advantage Fund, Inc., Nuveen Municipal Market Opportunity Fund,
Inc. Nuveen California Municipal Market Opportunity Fund, Inc., Nuveen
Investment Quality Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen California Investment Quality
Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen New York Investment Quality Municipal Fund, Inc.,
Nuveen Insured Quality Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Florida Investment Quality
Municipal Fund, Nuveen Pennsylvania Investment Quality Municipal Fund, Nuveen
New Jersey Investment Quality Municipal Fund, Inc., and the Nuveen Select
Quality Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen California Select Quality Municipal Fund,
Inc., Nuveen New York Select Quality Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Quality Income
Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Insured Municipal Opportunity Fund, Inc., Nuveen
Florida Quality Income Municipal Fund, Nuveen Michigan Quality Income Municipal
Fund, Inc., Nuveen Ohio Quality Income Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Texas
Quality Income Municipal Fund, Nuveen California Quality Income Municipal Fund,
Inc., Nuveen New York Quality Income Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Premier
Municipal Income Fund, Inc., Nuveen Premier Insured Municipal Income Fund, Inc.,
Nuveen Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio, Nuveen Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio
2, Nuveen Insured California Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio, Nuveen Insured
New York Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio, Nuveen Premium Income Municipal Fund
2, Inc., Nuveen Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio 3, Nuveen Select Maturities
Municipal Fund, Nuveen Insured California Premium Income Municipal Fund, Inc.,
Nuveen Arizona Premium Income Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Insured Florida
Premium Income Municipal Fund, Nuveen Michigan Premium Income Municipal Fund,
Inc., Nuveen New Jersey Premium Income Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen Insured New
York Premium Income Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen
 
                                      S-4
<PAGE>
Premium Income Municipal Fund 4, Inc., Nuveen Pennsylvania Premium Income
Municipal Fund 2, Nuveen Maryland Premium Income Municipal Fund, Nuveen Virginia
Premium Income Municipal Fund, Nuveen Massachusetts Premium Income Municipal
Fund, Nuveen Insured California Premium Income Municipal Fund 2, Inc., Nuveen
Washington Premium Income Municipal Fund, Nuveen Georgia Premium Income
Municipal Fund, Nuveen Missouri Premium Income Municipal Fund, Nuveen
Connecticut Premium Income Municipal Fund, Nuveen North Carolina Premium Income
Municipal Fund, Nuveen California Premium Income Municipal Fund, Nuveen Insured
Premium Income Municipal Fund 2, all registered closed-end management investment
companies. These registered open-end and closed-end investment companies
currently have approximately $35 billion in securities under management. 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 Trust to reach their investment goals, the Trust's sponsor,
John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated, 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 Trust, 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 Trust's sponsor may produce software or
additional sales literature to promote the advantages of using the Trust to meet
these and other specific investor needs.
 
    The Sponsor offers a program of advertising support to registered
broker-dealer firms, banks and bank affiliates ("FIRMS") that sell Trust Units
or shares of Nuveen Open-End Mutual Funds (excluding money-market funds)
("FUNDS"). Under this program, the Sponsor will pay or reimburse the Firm for up
to one half of specified media costs incurred in the placement of advertisements
which jointly feature the Firm and the Nuveen Funds and Trusts. Reimbursements
to the Firm will be based on the number of the Firm's registered representatives
who have sold Fund Shares and/or Trust Units during the prior calendar year
according to an established schedule. Reimbursements under this program will be
made by the Sponsor and not by the Funds or Trusts.
 
                                      S-5
<PAGE>
                 EFFECT OF STATE PERSONAL INCOME TAX EXEMPTION
 
    The following Chart shows what the return on a security that is subject to
state personal income taxes would have to be in order to equal 5.00% Estimated
Current Return on a U.S. Treasury Series assuming monthly distributions of
interest. The chart assumes federal taxable income is equal to state income
subject to tax and that the taxpayers are married couples filing jointly with a
taxable income equal to $100,000. The state rates shown take into account the
effect of the federal deduction for state income taxes. In addition, the
calculations for Alabama, Iowa, Louisiana, Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma
(Method 2) and Utah take into account the relevant state deduction for federal
income taxes. Moreover, except as specifically noted otherwise, the rates do not
reflect any (i) federal or state limitations (if any) on the amount of allowable
itemized deductions, phase-outs of personal or dependent exemption credits or
any other credits, (ii) taxes other than personal income taxes, or (iii) local
taxes.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       FULLY TAXABLE RETURN
                                       EQUIVALENT TO 5.00%
                             STATE      ESTIMATED CURRENT
                            PERSONAL    RETURN ON MONTHLY
                           INCOME TAX      PAYMENT U.S.
          STATE             RATE(1)      TREASURY SERIES
- -------------------------  ----------  --------------------
<S>                        <C>         <C>
Alabama                         4.03%           5.21%
Alaska(1)                       0.00            5.00
Arizona(2)                      2.70            5.14
Arkansas(3)                     5.04            5.27
California(13)                  6.70            5.36
Colorado                        3.60            5.19
Connecticut                     3.24            5.17
Delaware                        4.97            5.26
Florida(4)                      0.00            5.00
Georgia                         4.32            5.23
Hawaii                          7.20            5.39
Idaho                           5.90            5.31
Illinois                        2.16            5.11
Indiana                         2.45            5.13
Iowa                            7.29            5.39
Kansas                          4.64            5.24
Kentucky                        4.32            5.23
Louisiana(16)                   3.22            5.17
Maine(5)                        6.12            5.33
Maryland (State only)           3.56            5.18
Maryland (State and
 County)(6)                     5.72            5.30
Massachusetts(17)               8.64            5.47
Michigan                        3.17            5.16
Minnesota                       6.12            5.33
Missouri                        4.32            5.23
Mississippi                     3.60            5.19
Montana(5)                      8.96            5.49
 
<CAPTION>
                                       FULLY TAXABLE RETURN
                                       EQUIVALENT TO 5.00%
                             STATE      ESTIMATED CURRENT
                            PERSONAL    RETURN ON MONTHLY
                           INCOME TAX      PAYMENT U.S.
          STATE             RATE(1)      TREASURY SERIES
- -------------------------  ----------  --------------------
<S>                        <C>         <C>
Nebraska                        4.81%           5.25%
Nevada(1)                       0.00            5.00
New Hampshire(7)                3.60            5.19
New Jersey                      3.98            5.21
New Mexico(8)                   5.69            5.30
New York State(18)              4.93            5.26
New York (State &
 City)(18)(19)                  8.14            5.44
North Carolina(9)               5.04            5.27
North Dakota(10)                9.80            5.54
Ohio(20)                        4.28            5.22
Oklahoma Method 1(11)           5.04            5.27
Oklahoma Method 2(11)           8.13            5.44
Oregon (12)                     6.48            5.35
Pennsylvania                    2.02            5.10
Rhode Island                    5.44            5.29
South Carolina(5)               5.04            5.27
South Dakota(1)                 0.00            5.00
Tennessee(14)                   4.32            5.23
Texas(1)                        0.00            5.00
Utah(15)                        5.36            5.28
Vermont                         5.04            5.27
Virginia                        4.14            5.22
Washington(1)                   0.00            5.00
Washington D.C.                 6.84            5.37
West Virginia                   4.68            5.25
Wisconsin                       4.95            5.26
Wyoming(1)                      0.00            5.00
</TABLE>
 
    This chart incorporates current applicable State income tax rates. If you
live in a locality which imposes local personal income taxes, the fully taxable
equivalent return may be greater than as shown on this chart. Yield figures are
for example only.
 
 (1) This state does not impose a state income tax on individuals.
 
 (2) Please note that if taxable income is equal to $100,001, the state
    effective rate is equal to 3.30%. These rates take into account that, in
    effect, state income taxes paid are deductible for Arizona personal income
    tax purposes.
 
 (3) The state tax rate shown does not include the income tax surcharge imposed
    on residents of certain school districts.
 
 (4) Florida does not impose an income tax on individuals. However, Florida does
    impose an intangible personal property tax, which is not shown because it is
    generally based upon property value rather than income.
 
                                      S-6
<PAGE>
 (5) The state tax rate shown is based on brackets for 1997. The 1998 brackets
    may be adjusted for inflation. These adjustments have not yet been released.
 
 (6) The combined rate for Maryland and Maryland counties assumes a maximum
    county income tax rate of 60% of the Maryland state rate (which is the
    maximum allowed under state law). Note, however, that counties may impose a
    county tax at a rate that is less than 60% of the Maryland state rate.
 
 (7) The state tax rate shown is the rate at which most interest and dividends
    are taxed; other types of income are generally not subject to a New
    Hampshire personal income tax.
 
 (8) Please note that if taxable income is equal to $100,001, the state
    effective rate is equal to 6.12%.
 
 (9) Please note that if taxable income is equal to $100,001, the state
    effective rate is equal to 5.58%.
 
(10) We have assumed that the taxpayer has not elected to pay an alternative
    state income tax that is generally equal to 14% of the taxpayer's federal
    income tax liability with certain adjustments.
 
(11) Individual taxpayers in the State of Oklahoma are entitled to make the
    election as to whether Method 1 or Method 2 will be used in determining
    state tax liability. If Method 1 is selected, Federal taxes may not be
    deducted in determining state tax. If Method 2 is selected, Federal taxes
    may be deducted in determining state tax.
 
(12) The state tax rate shown is based on brackets for 1997. The 1998 brackets
    may be indexed by a cost-of-living adjustment.
 
(13) The state tax brackets are those for 1997. The 1998 brackets will be
    adjusted to take into account changes in the California Consumer Price
    Index. These adjustments have not yet been released.
 
(14) The state tax rate shown is the rate at which dividends and interest are
    taxed.
 
(15) Please note that 50%, rather than 100%, of Federal tax payments are
    deductible for state tax purposes.
 
(16) Please note that if taxable income is equal to $100,001, the state
    effective rate is equal to 4.84%.
 
(17) The Massachusetts state tax rate shown is the rate at which interest is
    taxed. Certain other types of income are taxed at other rates.
 
(18) The state tax rate for New York does not reflect the New York state
    supplemental income tax based upon a taxpayer's New York State taxable
    income and New York State adjusted gross income. This supplemental tax
    results in an increased marginal State income tax rate to the extent a
    taxpayer's New York State adjusted gross income ranges between $100,000 and
    $150,000.
 
(19) In addition to the New York state income tax, this includes only the New
    York City income tax on resident individuals.
 
(20) Please note that if taxable income is equal to $100,001, the state
    effective rate is 4.97%. In addition, the state tax rate shown does not
    reflect possible reductions in the state tax rate that may occur if the
    Director of Budget and Management determines that certain surplus revenues
    exist.
 
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
 
                                      S-7
<PAGE>
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.
 
RATINGS OF TRUST UNITS
 
    A Standard & Poor's rating on the units of a unit investment trust
(hereinafter referred to collectively as 'units' and 'trusts') is a current
assessment of creditworthiness with respect to the investment held by such
 
                                      S-8
<PAGE>
trust. This assessment takes into consideration the financial capacity of the
issuers and of any guarantors, insurers, lessees or mortgagors with respect to
such investments. The assessment, however, does not take into account the extent
to which trust expenses or portfolio asset sales for less than the trust
purchase price will reduce payment to the unitholder of the interest and
principal required to be paid on the portfolio assets. In addition, the rating
is not a recommendation to purchase, sell or hold units, inasmuch as the rating
does not comment as to market price of the units or suitability for a particular
investor.
 
    Units rated "AAA" are composed exclusively of assets that are rated "AAA" by
Standard & Poor's and/or certain short-term investments. Standard & Poor's
defines its AAA rating for such assets as the highest rating assigned by
Standard & Poor's to a debt obligation. Capacity to pay interest and repay
principal is very strong. However, unit ratings may be subject to revision or
withdrawal at any time by Standard & Poor's and each rating should be evaluated
independently of any other rating. Such rating is only available for the first
13 months after the initial Date of Deposit of a Trust, unless the Sponsor
elects to renew the rating.
 
    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,
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.
 
                                      S-9
<PAGE>
    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.
 
HOW LADDERING MANAGES CASH FLOW
 
    The Trusts use a "laddered" approach, strategically purchasing Treasury
securities with varying yields and maturities. Each time a security matures, a
portion of the principal is returned to Unitholders. Unitholders also receive
regular income payments along the way. Like Trust income, this repaid principal
is money Unitholders can anticipate, whether it is needed to meet every day
expenses or to help make payments such as college tuition or a mortgage. This
strategy provides Unitholders with a regular cash flow stream, as demonstrated
in the hypothetical illustration below.
 
    Because the portfolio is defined, Unitholders can count on a steady flow of
income. This means Unitholders should be able to anticipate their income based
upon each Trust's distribution schedule, which shows that as bonds mature, the
income generated is reduced proportionately. Keep in mind that principal and
income distributions may be slightly affected by unscheduled changes to the
portfolio or expenses.
 
 The chart represented here shows, in stairstep fashion, the principal returned
    and available for reinvestment. The chart shows each principal returned,
    interest paid, and principal in the Trust in dollars during six periods.
 
                                      S-10
<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
    B262 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 contains 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 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 Unit Trust, Series 9 hereby identifies Series 1 of
the Nuveen 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 Unit Trust, Series 9 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 UNIT TRUST, SERIES 9
                                                             (Registrant)
    
                                          By JOHN NUVEEN & CO. INCORPORATED
                                                             (Depositor)
   
                                          By:  Anna R. Kucinskis
                                          --------------------------------------
                                                             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 R. 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 for messrs. Amboian, Renfftlen, Dean and Schwertfeger
were filed as Exhibit 6 to Form N-8B-2 (File No. 811-08103).
 
                                      S-3
<PAGE>
3
 
                   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 STANDARD & POOR'S,
                    A DIVISION OF THE MCGRAW-HILL COMPANIES
 
    The consent of Standard & Poor's Ratings Group 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 3.4 to the Registration Statement.
 
                                      S-4
<PAGE>
                                LIST OF EXHIBITS
 
<TABLE>
<S>         <C>
1.1(a)      Copy of Standard Terms and Conditions of Trust for Nuveen Unit Trust, Series 1 and
            certain subsequent series, effective May 29, 1997 between John Nuveen & Co.
            Incorporated, Depositor, and The Chase Manhattan Bank, Trustee (incorporated by
            reference to Amendment No. 2 to Form S-6 (File No. 333-29671) filed on behalf of Nuveen
            Unit Trust, Series 1).
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         Opinion of counsel as to legality of securities being registered.
3.4         Opinion of counsel as to New York income tax status of securities being registered.
4.1         Consent of Standard & Poor's, a Division of The McGraw-Hill Companies.
4.2         Consent of Kenny S&P Evaluation Services.
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 UNIT TRUST, SERIES 9
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 Unit Trust,
Series 1 and certain subsequent Series, effective May 29, 1997" (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.
<PAGE>
   
    In Witness Whereof, John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated, has caused this Trust
Indenture and Agreement for Nuveen Unit Trust, Series 9 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 UNIT TRUST, SERIES 9
    

(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 UNIT TRUST, SERIES 9
    

Gentlemen:
   
    We have served as counsel for you, as depositor of Nuveen Unit Trust, Series
9 (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. 333-44525) 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
 
The Chase Manhattan Bank
Nuveen Administration Department
4 New York Plaza, Third Floor
New York, New York 10004-2413

   
RE:    Nuveen Unit Trust, Series 9 consisting of:
Nuveen U.S. Treasury Trust, Series 5 (Short-Term);
Nuveen U.S. Treasury Trust, Series 6 (Intermediate);
Nuveen Insured Corporate Trust, Series 3 (Long-Term)
    

Gentlemen:
   
    We have acted as counsel for John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated, as Sponsor and
Depositor of Nuveen Unit Trust, Series 9 (the "Fund") including Nuveen U.S.
Treasury Trust, Series 5 (Short-Term); Nuveen U.S. Treasury Trust, Series 6
(Intermediate); and Nuveen Insured Corporate Trust, Series 3 (Long-Term) (the 
"Trusts"), in connection with the issuance of Units of fractional undivided 
interest in the Trusts, under a Trust Indenture and Agreement dated April 8, 
1998 (the "Indenture") between John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated, as Depositor 
and Evaluator, and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Trustee.
    
   
    In this connection, we have examined the Registration Statement, the
Prospectus, the Indenture, and such other instruments and documents as we have
deemed pertinent. The assets of the Trusts will consist of portfolios of
long-term corporate debt obligations issued by utility companies (the "Corporate
Bonds") and "Zero coupon" U.S. Treasury bonds (the "Treasury Bonds")
(collectively, the "Obligations") as set forth in the Prospectus. All
Obligations have been issued after July 18, 1984. For purposes of the opinions
set forth below, we have assumed that each of the Obligations is debt for 
federal income tax purposes and that the interest on each of the Obligations 
is includable in gross income for federal income tax purposes.
    
   
    Based upon the foregoing and upon an investigation of such matters of law as
we consider to be applicable, we are of the opinion that, under existing federal
income tax law:
    
   
        (i)  The Trusts are not associations taxable as corporations for federal
    income tax purposes but will be governed by the provisions of subpart E,
    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 Trusts for federal income tax purposes. Under subpart E,
    subchapter J of chapter 1 of the Code, income of the Trusts will be treated
    as income of each Unitholder. Each Unitholder will be considered to have
    received his pro rata share of income derived from each Trust asset when
    such income is considered to be received by the Trust. Each Unitholder will
    also be required to include in taxable income for federal income tax
    purposes, original issue discount with respect to his interest in any
    Obligation held by the Trust at the same time and in the same manner as
    though the Unitholder were the direct owner of such interest. Original issue
    discount will be treated as zero with respect to Corporate Bonds if it is
    "de minimis" within the meaning of Section 1273 of the Code and, based upon
    a Treasury Regulation (the "Regulation") which was issued on December 28,
    1992 regarding the stripped bond rules of the Code, original issue discount
    with respect to a Treasury Bond will be treated as zero if it is "de
    minimis" as determined thereunder. If a Corporate Bond is a "high-yield
    discount obligation" within the meaning of Section 163(e)(5) of the Code,
    certain special rules may apply. A Unitholder may elect to include in
    taxable income for Federal income tax purposes, market discount as it
    accrues with respect to his interest in any Corporate Bond held by a Trust
    which he is considered as having acquired with market discount at the same
    time and in the same manner as though the Unitholder were the direct owner
    of such interest.
    
<PAGE>
   
        (iii)  The price a Unitholder pays for his Units, generally including
    sales charges, is allocated among his pro rata portion of each Obligation
    held by a Trust (in proportion to the fair market values thereof on the
    valuation date closest to the date the Unitholder purchases his Units), in
    order to determine his tax basis for his pro rata portion of each Obligation
    held by such Trust. Certain of the Treasury Bonds may be treated as bonds 
    that were originally issued at an original issue discount. Because 
    certain of the Treasury Bonds represent interests in "stripped" U.S. 
    Treasury bonds, a Unitholder's initial cost for his pro rata portion of 
    each such stripped Treasury Bond held by a Trust (determined at the time 
    he acquires his Units, in the manner described above) shall be treated as 
    its "purchase price" by the Unitholder. Under the special rules relating 
    to stripped bonds, original issue discount applicable to such stripped 
    Treasury Bonds is effectively treated as interest for federal income tax 
    purposes and the amount of original issue discount in this case is 
    generally the difference between such stripped Treasury Bond's purchase 
    price and its stated redemption price at maturity. A Unitholder will be 
    required to include in gross income for each taxable year the sum of his 
    daily portions of original issue discount attributable to the Treasury 
    Bonds held by a Trust as such original issue discount accrues and will in 
    general be subject to federal income tax with respect to the total amount 
    of such original issue discount that accrues for such year even though 
    the income is not distributed to the Unitholders during such year to the 
    extent it is greater than or equal to the "de minimis" amount described 
    below. To the extent the amount of such discount is less than the 
    respective "de minimis" amount, such discount shall be treated as zero. 
    In general, original issue discount accrues daily under a constant 
    interest rate method which takes into account the semi-annual compounding 
    of accrued interest. In the case of Treasury Bonds this method will 
    generally result in an increasing amount of income to the Unitholders 
    each year.
    
        (iv)  Each Unitholder will have a taxable event when the Trustee
    disposes of a Trust asset (whether by sale, exchange, liquidation,
    redemption, payment on maturity or otherwise) or when the Unitholder redeems
    or sells his Units. A Unitholder's tax basis in his Unit will equal his tax
    basis in his pro rata portion of all the assets of the Trust. Such basis is
    determined (before the adjustments described below) by apportioning the tax
    basis for his Units among each of the Trust assets according to their values
    as of the valuation date nearest the date on which he purchased such Units.
    Unitholders must reduce the tax basis of their Units for their share of
    accrued interest received, if any, on Obligations delivered after the date
    the Unitholders pay for their Units to the extent that such interest accrued
    on such Obligations before the date the Trust acquired ownership of the
    Obligations (and the amount of this reduction may exceed the amount of
    accrued interest paid to the sellers) 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 redemption or sale with the
    adjusted basis of the Units. If the Trustee disposes of Obligations (whether
    by sale, exchange, payment on maturity, redemption or otherwise), gain or
    loss is recognized to the Unitholder (subject to various nonrecognition
    provisions of the Code). 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 his basis for his fractional interest in the asset disposed
    of. The basis of each Unit and of each Obligation which was issued with
    original issue discount (including the Treasury Bonds) (or which had market
    discount) must be increased by the amount of accrued original issue discount
    (and market discount if the Unitholder elects to include market discount in
    income as it accrues) and the basis of each Unit and of each Obligation
    which was purchased by a Trust at a premium must be reduced by the annual
    amortization of bond premium which the Unitholder has properly elected to
    amortize under Section 171 of the Code. The tax basis reduction requirements
    of the Code relating to amortization of bond premium may, under some
    circumstances, result in the Unitholder realizing a taxable gain when his
    Units are sold or redeemed for an amount equal to or less than his original
    cost.
 
    Each Unitholder's pro rata share of each expense paid by a Trust is
deductible by the Unitholder to the same extent as though the expense had been
paid directly by him. It should be noted that as a result of the Tax Reform Act
of 1986, certain miscellaneous itemized deductions, such as investment expenses,
tax return preparation fees and employee business expenses will be deductible by
an individual only to the extent they exceed 2% of such individual's adjusted
gross income (similar limitations also apply to estates and trusts). Unitholders
may be required to treat some or all of the expenses of a Trust as miscellaneous
itemized deductions subject to this limitation.
   
    The Code provides a complex set of rules governing the accrual of original
issue discount, including special rules relating to "stripped" debt instruments
such as certain of the Treasury Bonds. These rules provide that original issue 
discount generally accrues on the basis of a constant compound interest rate 
over the term of the Obligations. Special rules apply if the purchase price of 
an Obligation exceeds its original issue price plus
    
<PAGE>
the amount of original issue discount which would have previously accrued, based
upon its issue price (its "adjusted issue price"). Similarly, these special
rules would apply to a Unitholder if the tax basis of his pro rata portion of an
Obligation issued with original issue discount exceeds his pro rata portion of
its adjusted issue price. In addition, as discussed above, the Regulation
provides that the amount of original issue discount on a stripped bond is
considered zero if the actual amount of original issue discount on such stripped
bond as determined under Section 1286 of the Code is less than a "de minimis"
amount, which, the Regulation provides, is the product of (i) 0.25 percent of
the stated redemption price at maturity and (ii) the number of full years from
the date the stripped bond is purchased (determined separately for each new
purchaser thereof) to the final maturity date of the bond.
 
    It is possible that a Corporate Bond that has been issued at an original
issue discount may be characterized as a "high-yield discount obligation" within
the meaning of Section 163(e)(5) of the Code. To the extent that such an
obligation is issued at a yield in excess of six percentage points over the
applicable Federal rate, a portion of the original issue discount on such
obligation will be characterized as a distribution on stock (e.g., dividends)
for purposes of the dividends received deduction which is available to certain
corporations with respect to certain dividends received by such corporations.
 
    If a Unitholder's tax basis in his pro rata portion of any Corporate Bond
held by a Trust is less than his allocable portion of such Corporate Bond's
stated redemption price at maturity (or, if issued with original issue discount,
his allocable portion of its revised issue price), such difference will
constitute market discount unless the amount of market discount is "de minimis"
as specified in the Code. To the extent the amount of such discount is less than
the respective "de minimis" amount, such discount shall be treated as zero.
Market discount accrues daily computed on a straight line basis, unless the
Unitholder elects to calculate accrued market discount under a constant yield
method. The market discount rules do not apply to Treasury Bonds because they
are stripped debt instruments subject to special original issue discount rules
as discussed in paragraph (iii).
   
    Accrued market discount is generally includible in taxable income of the
Unitholders as ordinary income for federal tax purposes upon the receipt of
serial principal payments on Corporate Bonds held by a Trust, on the sale,
maturity or disposition of such Corporate Bonds by the Trust and on the sale of
a Unitholder's Units (unless a Unitholder elects to include the accrued market
discount in taxable income as such discount accrues). If a Unitholder does not
elect to annually include accrued market discount in taxable income as it
accrues, deductions of any interest expense incurred by the Unitholder to
purchase or carry his Units will be reduced by such accrued market discount. In
general, the portion of any interest which is not currently deductible would
ultimately be deductible when the accrued market discount is included in income.
    
   
    The tax basis of a Unitholder with respect to his interest in an Obligation
is increased by the amount of original issue discount (and market discount, if
the Unitholder elects to include market discount, if any, on the Obligations
held by the Trust in income as it accrues) thereon properly included in the
Unitholder's gross income as determined for federal income tax purposes and
reduced by the amount of any amortized premium which the Unitholder has properly
elected to amortize under Section 171 of the Code. A Unitholder's tax basis in
his Units will equal his tax basis in his pro rata portion of all of the assets
of the Trust.
    
    A Unitholder will recognize taxable gain (or loss) when all or part of the
pro rata interest in an Obligation is disposed of for an amount greater (or
less) than his tax basis therefor in a taxable transaction subject to various
non-recognition provisions of the Code.
 
    As previously discussed, gain attributable to any Corporate Bond deemed to
have been acquired by the Unitholder with market discount will be treated as
ordinary income to the extent the gain does not exceed the amount of accrued
market discount not previously taken into income. The tax basis reduction
requirements of the Code relating to amortization of bond premium may, under
certain circumstances, result in the Unitholder realizing a taxable gain when
his Units are sold or redeemed for an amount equal to or less than his original
cost.
   
    If a Unitholder disposes of a Unit, he is deemed thereby to have disposed of
his entire pro rata interest in all Trust assets including his pro rata portion
of all of the Corporate Bonds represented by the Unit. This may result in a
portion of the gain, if any, on such sale being taxable as ordinary income under
the market discount rules (assuming no election was made by the Unitholder to
include market discount in income as it accrues) as previously discussed.
    
<PAGE>
   
In addition, it should be noted that capital gains may be recharacterized as 
ordinary income in the case of certain financial transactions that are 
"conversion transactions" effective for transactions entered into after April 
30, 1993.
    
   
    A Unitholder who is a foreign investor (i.e., an investor other than a U.S.
citizen or resident or U.S. corporation, partnership, estate or trust) will not
be subject to United States federal income taxes, including withholding taxes on
interest income (including any original issue discount) on, or any gain from the
sale or other disposition of his pro rata interest in any Obligation held by a
Trust or the sale of his Units provided that all of the following conditions are
met:
    
        (i)  the interest income or gain is not effectively connected with the
    conduct by the foreign investor of a trade or business within the United
    States;
 
        (ii)  if the interest is United States source income (which is the case
    for most securities issued by United States issuers), the Obligation is
    issued after July 18, 1984 (which is the case for each Obligation held by
    the Trusts), the foreign investor does not own, directly or indirectly, 10%
    or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of voting stock of
    the issuer of the Obligation and the foreign investor is not a controlled
    foreign corporation related (within the meaning of Section 864(d)(4) of the
    Code) to the issuer of the Obligation, or
 
        (iii)  with respect to any gain, the foreign investor (if an individual)
    is not present in the United States for 183 days or more during his or her
    taxable year; and
 
        (iv)  the foreign investor provides all certification which may be
    required of his status.
   
    It should be noted that the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993 includes a 
provision which eliminates the exemption from United States taxation, 
including withholding taxes, for certain "contingent interest." This provision 
applies to interest received after December 31, 1993. No opinion is expressed 
herein regarding the potential applicability of this provision and whether 
United States taxation or withholding taxes could be imposed with respect to 
income derived from the Units as a result thereof.
    
    The scope of this opinion is expressly limited to the matters set forth
herein, and, except as expressly set forth above, we express no opinion with
respect to any other taxes, including foreign, state or local taxes or
collateral tax consequences with respect to the purchase, ownership and
disposition of Units.
 
    We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement (File No. 333-23675) 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.
 
                                    Very truly yours
 
                                    CHAPMAN AND CUTLER

<PAGE>
                                                                     EXHIBIT 3.3
 
                           CARTER, LEDYARD & MILBURN
                                 2 WALL STREET
                            NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10005
   
April 8, 1998
    

   
The Chase Manhattan Bank,
as Trustee of
 Nuveen Unit Trust, Series 9
    

4 New York Plaza, 3rd Floor
New York, New York 10004
 
    Attention: Mr. Steven B. Wolinsky
           Senior Vice President

   
    Re: Nuveen Unit Trust, Series 9
    
 
Dear Sirs:
   
We are acting as counsel for The Chase Manhattan Bank ("Chase") in connection
with the execution and delivery of a Standard Terms and Conditions of Trust for
Nuveen Unit Trusts, Series 1 and subsequent dated May 29, 1997 and a related
Trust Indenture and Agreement dated today's date (such Standard Terms and
Conditions of Trust and related Trust Indenture and Agreement are collectively
referred to as the "Indenture"), each between John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated, as
Depositor (the "Depositor"), and Chase, as Trustee (the "Trustee"), establishing
the Nuveen Unit Trust, Series 9, consisting of Nuveen U.S. Treasury Trust,
Series 5 (Short-Term), Nuveen U.S. Treasury Trust, Series 6 (Intermediate),
and Nuveen Insured Corporate Trust, Series 3 (Long-Term) (each a "Trust 
Fund"), and the confirmation by Chase, as Trustee under the Indenture, that it 
has caused to be credited to the Depositor's account at The Depository Trust 
Company a number of units constituting the entire interest in each Trust Fund 
(such aggregate units being herein called "Units") each of which represents an 
undivided interest in each Trust Fund, which consists of Treasury obligations 
or corporate debt obligations, respectively (including confirmations of 
contracts for the purchase of certain obligations not yet delivered and cash, 
cash equivalents or an irrevocable letter of credit in the amount required for 
such purchase upon the receipt of such obligations), such obligations being 
defined in the Indenture as Securities and referenced in the schedules to the 
Indenture.
    
We have examined the Indenture, the Closing Memorandum executed and delivered
today by the Depositor and the Trustee (the "Closing Memorandum"), the form of
certificate for the Units included in the Indenture and a specimen of the
certificates to be issued thereunder (the "Certificates") and such other
documents as we have deemed necessary in order to render this opinion. Based on
the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:
 
        1.  Chase is a duly organized and existing corporation having the powers
    of a trust company under the laws of the State of New York.
 
        2.  The Indenture has been duly executed and delivered by Chase and,
    assuming due execution and delivery by the Depositor, constitutes the valid
    and legally binding obligation of Chase.
 
        3.  The Certificates are in proper form for execution and delivery by
    Chase, as Trustee.
 
        4.  Chase, as Trustee, has registered on the registration books of each
    Trust Fund the ownership of the Units by The Depository Trust Company, where
    it has caused the Units to be credited to the account of the Depositor. Upon
    receipt of confirmation of the effectiveness of the registration statement
    for the sale of the Units filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
    under the Securities Act of 1933, the Trustee may cause the Units to be
    transferred on the registration books of each Trust Fund to such other

<PAGE>
    names, and in such denominations, as the Depositor may order, and may
    deliver Certificates evidencing such ownership, as provided in the Closing
    Memorandum.
 
        5.  Chase, as Trustee, may lawfully advance to each Trust Fund amounts
    as may be necessary to provide periodic interest distributions of
    approximately equal amounts, and may be reimbursed, without interest, for
    any such advances from funds in the interest account, as provided in the
    Indenture.
 
    In rendering the foregoing opinion, we have not considered, among other
things, whether the Securities have been duly authorized and delivered.
 
                                    Very truly yours,
 
                                    Carter, Ledyard & Milburn

<PAGE>
                                                                     EXHIBIT 3.4
 
                            CARTER LEDYARD & MILBURN
                                 2 WALL STREET
                            NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10005

   
April 8, 1998
    

   
Nuveen Unit Trust, Series 9
c/o The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Trustee
4 New York Plaza, 3rd Floor
New York, New York 10004
    

   
Re  Nuveen Unit Trust, Series 9
    
 
    Dear Sirs:
   
    We are acting as special counsel with respect to New York tax matters for
    Nuveen Unit Trust, Series 9, consisting of Nuveen U.S. Treasury Trust,
    Series 5 (Short-Term), Nuveen U.S. Treasury Trust, Series 6 (Intermediate),
    and Nuveen Insured Corporate Trust, Series 3 (Long-Term) (each a "Trust 
    Fund"), which will be established under a Standard Terms and Conditions 
    of Trust for Nuveen Unit Trusts Series 1 and subsequent dated May 29, 
    1997 and a related Trust Indenture and Agreement dated today's date (such 
    Standard Terms and Conditions of Trust and related Trust Indenture and 
    Agreement are referred to collectively as the "Indenture"), each between 
    John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated, as Depositor (the "Depositor"), and The 
    Chase Manhattan Bank, as Trustee (the "Trustee"). Pursuant to the terms 
    of the Indenture, units of fractional undivided interest in the Trust 
    Fund will be issued (the "Units"), which Units may, in accordance with 
    the Indenture, be represented by a certificate or certificates (the 
    "Certificates").
    
    We have examined and are familiar with originals or certified copies, or
    copies otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such documents as we
    have deemed necessary or appropriate for the purpose of this opinion. In
    giving this opinion, we have relied upon the two opinions, each dated today
    and addressed to the Trustee, of Chapman and Cutler, counsel for the
    Depositor, with respect to the matters of law set forth therein.
 
    Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:
 
        1.  Each Trust Fund will not constitute an association taxable as a
    corporation under New York law, and accordingly will not be subject to the
    New York State franchise tax or the New York City general corporation tax.
 
        2.  Under the income tax laws of the State and City of New York, the
    income of each Trust Fund will be considered the income of the holders of
    the Units.
 
        3.  By reason of the exemption contained in paragraph (a) of Subdivision
    8 of Section 270 of the New York Tax Law, no New York State stock transfer
    tax will be payable in respect of any transfer of the Certificates.
   
        We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
    Registration Statement (No. 333-44525) filed with the Securities and
    Exchange Commission with respect to the registration of the sale of the
    Units and to the references to our name under the captions "Tax Status" and
    "Legal Opinion" in such Registration Statement and the preliminary
    prospectus included therein.
    
                                        Very truly yours,
 
                                        Carter, Ledyard & Milburn

<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 4.1
 
(ON STANDARD & POOR'S, A DIVISION OF THE MCGRAW-HILL COMPANIES LETTERHEAD)

   
April 8, 1998
    

John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated
333 W. Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606

   
RE:  NUVEEN UNIT TRUST, SERIES 9
     Nuveen U.S. Treasury Trust, Series 5 (Short-Term)
     Nuveen U.S. Treasury Trust, Series 6 (Intermediate)
     Insured Corporate 3 (Long-Term)
    

Gentlemen:
   
    Pursuant to your request for a Standard & Poor's rating on the units of the
above-captioned Trust, SEC #333-44525, we have reviewed the information
presented to us and have assigned a "AAA" rating to the units of the Trust and a
"AAA" rating to the securities contained in the Trust. The ratings are direct
reflections of the portfolios of the Trust, which will be composed solely of
securities covered by bond insurance policies that insure against default in the
payment of principal and interest on the securities so long as they remain
outstanding, or of U.S. Treasury Debt Obligations fully guaranteed as to
principal and interest by the full faith and credit of the United States. Since
the policies on the insured securities have been issued by MBIA, which has been
assigned a 'AAA' claims paying ability rating by Standard & Poor's, Standard &
Poor's has assigned a "AAA" rating to the units of the Trust and to the
securities contained in the 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 and the
above-assigned ratings in connection with your dissemination of information
relating to these units, provided that it is understood that the ratings are not
"market" ratings nor recommendations to buy, hold or sell the units of the
trusts or the securities contained in the Trust. Further, it should be
understood the rating on the units does not take into account the extent to
which the Trust's expenses or portfolio asset sales for less than the Trust's
purchase price will reduce payment to the unit holders of the interest and
principal required to be paid on the portfolio assets. Standard & Poor's
reserves the right to advise its own clients, subscribers, and the public of the
ratings. Standard & Poor's 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. Standard & Poor's 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 Rating Services, a Division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. in
connection with the rating assigned to the units in the registration statement
or prospectus relating to the units or the Trust. 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 the name of Standard & Poor's Ratings
Services, a Division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. in connection with the
ratings assigned to the securities contained in the Trust. You are hereby
authorized to file a copy of this letter with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.

    Please be certain to send us a copy of your final prospectus as soon as it
becomes available. Should we not receive them within a reasonable amount of time
after the closing or should it not conform to the representations made to us, we
reserve the right to withdraw the rating.

Very truly yours,
 
STANDARD & POOR'S, A DIVISION OF THE MCGRAW-HILL COMPANIES
 
By Sanford B. 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 Unit Trust, Series 9
    

Gentlemen:
   
    We have examined the registration statement File No. 333-44525 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 4.4
 
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 Nuveen
U.S. Treasury Trust, Series 5 (Short-Term) 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>     Nuveen U.S. Treasury Trust
       
<S>                                                <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                      OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                               MAR-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                                    MAR-31-1999
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                                               490,764
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                                              490,941
<RECEIVABLES>                                                         3,243
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                                            0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                                      0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                      507,484
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                                                  0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                                                   0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                                             3,243
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                                   3,243
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                                           0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                                                  0
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                                                 5,000
<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>                                                        490,941
<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>                                                 98.19
<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>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the Nuveen
Insured Corporate Trust, Series 3 (Long-Term) 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>   Nuveen Insured Corporate Trust 
       
<S>                                                <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                      OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                               MAR-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                                    MAR-31-1999
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                                             1,284,023
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                                            1,284,023
<RECEIVABLES>                                                        14,737
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                                            0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                                      0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                    1,327,760
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                                                  0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                                                   0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                                            14,737
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                                  14,737
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                                           0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                                                  0
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                                                13,200
<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>                                                      1,284,023
<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>                                                 96.91
<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 Nuveen
U.S. Treasury Trust, Series 6 (Intermediate) 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>     Nuveen U.S. Treasury Trust
       
<S>                                                <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                      OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                               MAR-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                                    MAR-31-1999
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                                               494,999
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                                              495,259
<RECEIVABLES>                                                         3,825
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                                            0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                                      0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                      523,084
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                                                  0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                                                   0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                                             3,825
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                                   3,825
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                                           0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                                                  0
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                                                 5,000
<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>                                                        495,259
<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>                                                 99.05
<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 UNIT TRUST, SERIES 9
                               FILE NO. 333-44525
    
   
    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 securities 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.
 
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 along with 
the size and number of Units of each of the Trusts.
    
    PART A-PAGES 1-6 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
 
       The percentage of "when issued" bonds in the portfolio of each Trust
 
       The schedule of investments for each Trust, including the notes thereto
 
       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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