NUVEEN TAX EXEMPT UNIT TRUST SERIES 774
487, 1994-12-16
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<PAGE>


                                                      File No. 33-56749
                                                      40 Act File No. 811-2271


                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

                                AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                       TO
                                    FORM S-6

For Registration under the Securities Act of 1933 of Securities of Unit
Investment Trusts Registered on Form N-8B-2

A.  Exact name of Trust:     NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST, SERIES 774

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:  James J. Wesolowski
                             333 West Wacker Drive
                             Chicago, Illinois 60606

                             CHAPMAN AND CUTLER
                             Attn:  Daniel C. Bird, Jr.
                             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 (date) pursuant to paragraph (b)

- -----
- -----    60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)

- -----
- -----    on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a) of rule 485 or 486

E.  Title and amount of securities being registered:  An indefinite number of
    Units as permitted by Rule 24f-2.

F.  Proposed maximum offering price to the public of the securities being
    registered:  Not presently determinable.

G.  Amount of filing fee:  $500 in accordance with Rule 24f-2.

H.  Approximate date of proposed sale to the public:

    As soon as practicable after the effective date of the Registration
    Statement.
______
          Check box if it is proposed that this filing will become effective
  X       on 12/16/94 at 1:30 p.m. pursuant to Rule 487.
______



<PAGE>
   
                               DECEMBER 16, 1994
                             SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
 
NUVEEN  Tax-Exempt Unit Trusts
             PROSPECTUS
            Series 774
             December 16, 1994
    
INTEREST  INCOME TO THE  TRUSTS AND TO  UNITHOLDERS, IN THE  OPINION OF COUNSEL,
UNDER EXISTING LAW IS EXEMPT FROM FEDERAL INCOME TAX. CAPITAL GAINS, IF ANY, ARE
SUBJECT TO TAX. IN ADDITION, INTEREST INCOME OF STATE TRUSTS IS, IN THE  OPINION
OF  COUNSEL,  EXEMPT,  TO THE  EXTENT  INDICATED,  FROM STATE  AND  LOCAL TAXES.
INTEREST INCOME OF ANY TRUST  OTHER THAN A STATE TRUST  MAY BE SUBJECT TO  STATE
AND LOCAL TAXES.
 
CURRENTLY  OFFERED AT PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE PLUS INTEREST ACCRUED TO THE DATE OF
SETTLEMENT. MINIMUM PURCHASE--EITHER $5,000 OR 50 UNITS, WHICHEVER IS LESS.
 
   
THE NUVEEN  TAX-EXEMPT  UNIT  TRUST,  SERIES 774  consists  of  four  underlying
separate unit investment trusts designated as Connecticut Traditional Trust 270,
Maryland  Traditional  Trust 302,  Virginia Traditional  Trust 296  and National
Insured Trust 286. Each Trust initially consists of delivery statements relating
to contracts to purchase  Bonds and, thereafter, will  consist of a  diversified
portfolio of obligations issued by or on behalf of states and territories of the
United  States and authorities and political subdivisions thereof (see SCHEDULES
OF INVESTMENTS), the interest on which is, in the opinion of bond counsel to the
issuers, exempt from  Federal income tax  under existing law.  In addition,  the
interest  on Bonds in each State Trust is, in the opinion of bond counsel to the
issuers of the obligations, exempt from  such State's income taxes, if any.  All
obligations in each Traditional Trust are rated in the category "A" or better by
Standard  & Poor's Corporation or Moody's Investors Service, Inc. on the Date of
Deposit. All  obligations in  each  Insured Trust  are  covered by  policies  of
insurance  obtained  from  the Municipal  Bond  Investors  Assurance Corporation
guaranteeing payment of principal  and interest when due.  All such policies  of
insurance  remain effective  so long  as the  obligations are  outstanding. As a
result of such insurance, the Bonds in each portfolio of the Insured Trusts have
received a rating of "Aaa" by Moody's  Investors Service, Inc. and the Bonds  in
the  Insured Trusts and the  Units of each such Trust  have received a rating of
"AAA" by Standard & Poor's Corporation.  INSURANCE RELATES ONLY TO THE BONDS  IN
THE INSURED TRUSTS AND NOT TO THE UNITS OFFERED HEREBY OR TO THEIR MARKET VALUE.
(See Section 5.)
    
 
THE  OBJECTIVES of the Trusts are  tax-exempt income and conservation of capital
through a diversified  investment in tax-exempt  Bonds. (SEE SECTIONS  2, 3  AND
11.)  The payment of interest and the  preservation of principal are, of course,
dependent upon the continuing ability of the issuers of Bonds and of any insurer
thereof to meet  their obligations thereunder.  There is no  guarantee that  the
Trusts' objectives will be achieved. (SEE PAGE A-1.)
 
DISTRIBUTIONS  of interest  received by  each Trust  will be  made semi-annually
unless the Unitholder elects to receive them monthly or quarterly. (SEE  SECTION
13.)  Distribution of funds in the Principal Account, if any, will ordinarily be
made semi-annually.
 
FOR ESTIMATED LONG TERM RETURNS AND ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURNS to Unitholders  in
each  Trust on the  business day prior to  the Date of Deposit.  (SEE PAGE 3 AND
SECTION 9.)
 
THE PUBLIC OFFERING  PRICE per Unit  of each Trust  during the initial  offering
period  is equal to a pro rata share of the OFFERING prices of the Bonds in such
Trust's portfolio plus  a sales charge  of up  to 4.90% of  the Public  Offering
Price  (equivalent to 5.152%  of the net  amount invested); the  sales charge is
somewhat lower on Trusts  with lesser average maturities.  (SEE SECTION 6.)  The
Secondary  Market Public Offering Price per Unit for each Trust will be equal to
a pro rata share of the  sum of BID prices of the  Bonds in such Trust plus  the
sales  charges determined based on the number of years remaining to the maturity
of each  Bond. Accrued  interest from  the  preceding Record  Date to,  but  not
including,  the settlement date (normally five  business days after purchase) is
added to the Public Offering Price. The  sales charge is reduced on a  graduated
scale  for sales involving at least $50,000 or  500 Units and will be applied on
whichever basis is more favorable to the purchaser. (SEE SECTION 6.)
 
A UNITHOLDER MAY REDEEM UNITS at the office of the Trustee, United States  Trust
Company of New York, at prices based upon the BID prices of the Bonds. The price
received  upon  redemption  may  be  more  or  less  than  the  amount  paid  by
Unitholders, depending upon the  value of the  Bonds on the  date of tender  for
redemption.  (SEE  SECTION 19.)  The Sponsor,  although not  required to  do so,
intends to make a secondary market for  the Units of the Trusts at prices  based
upon  the BID  prices of the  Bonds in  the respective Trusts.  (SEE SECTION 7.)
RETAIN THIS PROSPECTUS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
 
UNITS OF THE TRUST ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, OR GUARANTEED OR ENDORSED
BY, ANY BANK AND ARE NOT FEDERALLY INSURED OR OTHERWISE PROTECTED BY THE FEDERAL
DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD OR ANY OTHER AGENCY AND
INVOLVE INVESTMENT RISK, INCLUDING THE POSSIBLE LOSS OF PRINCIPAL.
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE  NOT BEEN APPROVED  OR DISAPPROVED BY  THE SECURITIES  AND
EXCHANGE  COMMISSION OR ANY  STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION  NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION OR  ANY  STATE SECURITIES  COMMISSION PASSED  UPON  THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<PAGE>
  NUVEEN  Tax-Exempt Unit Trusts
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      INDEX                                             SECTION         PAGE
<C>   <S>                                              <C>        <C>
      SPECIFIC TRUST MATTERS
      Connecticut Traditional Trust 270                       3         8-15
      Maryland Traditional Trust 302                          3        16-22
      Virginia Traditional Trust 296                          3        23-30
      National Insured Trust 286                              3        31-34
      GENERAL MATTERS
      Accrued Interest                                        8         A-17
      Accumulation Plan                                      14         A-24
      Bonds, How Selected                                     3            7
      Bonds, Initial Determination of Offering Price         10         A-19
      Bonds, Limited Right of Substitution                    4          A-7
      Bond Ratings                                            3         8-34
      Bonds, Removal from Trust                              21         A-33
      Call Provisions of Portfolio Bonds                   3, 4     8-34,A-8
      Capital Gains Taxability                               11         A-19
      Dealer Discount                                        17         A-29
      Description of Units of Trust                           1            5
      Distributions to Unitholders                           13         A-23
      Distribution Payment Dates                          3, 13   8-34, A-23
      Distribution of Units to the Public                    17         A-29
      Essential Information Regarding the Trusts             --            4
      Estimated Long Term Return and Estimated Current
      Return                                                  9      3, A-18
      Evaluation                                             16         A-28
      Expenses to Fund                                       12         A-22
      Insurance on Bonds in the Insured Trusts                5         A-10
      Insurance on Certain Bonds in the Traditional
      Trusts                                                  5         A-12
      Interest Income to Trust                                3         8-34
      Investments, Schedules of                               3         8-34
      Legality of Units                                      24         A-37
      Limitations on Liabilities of Sponsor and Trustee       22        A-34
      Market for Units                                        7         A-16
      Minimum Transaction                                    17         A-29
      Objectives of the Trusts                                2            6
      Optional Distribution Plan                             13         A-23
      Other Information                                      24         A-36
      Ownership and Transfer of Units                        18         A-30
      Public Offering Price of Units                          6         A-13
      Quantity Purchases                                      6         A-13
      Record Dates                                           13         A-23
      Ratings, Description of                                24         A-38
      Redemption of Units by Trustee                         19         A-31
      Reports to Unitholders                                 15         A-28
      Repurchase of Units by Sponsor                         20         A-33
      Risk Factors                                            3          A-1
      Sales Charge                                            6         A-13
      Sponsor, Information About                             23         A-35
      State Tax Status                                        3         8-34
      Successor Trustees and Sponsors                        22         A-34
      Tax Status of Unitholders                              11         A-19
      Trustee, Information About                             22         A-34
      Trust Indenture, Amendment and Termination             24         A-36
      Unit Value                                             16         A-28
</TABLE>
 
                  2
<PAGE>
                          ESTIMATED LONG TERM RETURNS
                                      AND
                    ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURNS FOR THE TRUSTS
 
Following  are the  Estimated Long Term  and Estimated Current  Returns for each
Trust on the  business day  prior to  the Date  of Deposit,  under the  monthly,
quarterly and semi-annual plans of distribution (SEE SECTION 3):
 
                          ESTIMATED LONG TERM RETURNS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
                                                ----------------------------------------
                    TRUST                       MONTHLY      QUARTERLY      SEMI-ANNUAL
  <S>                                           <C>          <C>            <C>
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Connecticut Traditional Trust 270........      6.09%         6.12%           6.14%
  Maryland Traditional Trust 302...........      6.12%         6.14%           6.16%
  Virginia Traditional Trust 296...........      6.19%         6.23%           6.24%
  National Insured Trust 286...............      6.26%         6.29%           6.31%
</TABLE>
 
                           ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURNS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
                                                ----------------------------------------
                    TRUST                       MONTHLY      QUARTERLY      SEMI-ANNUAL
  <S>                                           <C>          <C>            <C>
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Connecticut Traditional Trust 270........      5.99%         6.02%           6.04%
  Maryland Traditional Trust 302...........      5.92%         5.95%           5.97%
  Virginia Traditional Trust 296...........      6.09%         6.12%           6.14%
  National Insured Trust 286...............      6.19%         6.22%           6.24%
</TABLE>
 
    The  Estimated Long Term Return for each Trust is a measure of the return to
the investor earned  over the estimated  life of the  Trust. The Estimated  Long
Term  Return represents an  average of the  yields to maturity  (or call) of the
Bonds in  the Trust's  portfolio  calculated in  accordance with  accepted  bond
practice and adjusted to reflect expenses and sales charges. Under accepted bond
practice,  tax-exempt bonds  are customarily  offered to  investors on  a "yield
price" basis, which involves computation of  yield to maturity or to an  earlier
call date (whichever produces the lower yield), and which takes into account not
only the interest payable on the bonds but also the amortization or accretion to
a  specified date of any premium over  or discount from the par (maturity) value
in the bond's  purchase price. In  calculating Estimated Long  Term Return,  the
average  yield for  the Trust's  portfolio is  derived by  weighting each Bond's
yield by the market value of the Bond and by the amount of time remaining to the
date to which the Bond is priced. Once the average portfolio yield is  computed,
this  figure is then reduced to reflect estimated expenses and the effect of the
maximum sales  charge paid  by investors.  The Estimated  Long Term  Return  and
Estimated  Current Return calculations do not take  into account the effect of a
first distribution which may be less than a regular distribution or may be  paid
at  some point after 30 days (or a  second distribution which may be less than a
normal distribution for Unitholders who choose quarterly or semi-annual plans of
distribution), and it also does not  take into account the difference in  timing
of  payments  to  Unitholders  who  choose  quarterly  or  semi-annual  plans of
distribution, each of which will reduce the return.
 
    Estimated Current Return  is computed  by dividing the  Net Annual  Interest
Income per Unit by the Public Offering Price. In contrast to Estimated Long Term
Return, Estimated Current Return does not reflect the amortization of premium or
accretion of discount, if any, on the Bonds in the Trust's portfolio. Net Annual
Interest Income per Unit is calculated by dividing the annual interest income to
the Trust, less estimated expenses, by the number of Units outstanding.
 
    Net  Annual Interest  Income per Unit,  used to  calculate Estimated Current
Return, will vary  with changes  in fees  and expenses  of the  Trustee and  the
Evaluator  and with the redemption, maturity, exchange or sale of Bonds. A Trust
may experience expenses and  portfolio changes different  from those assumed  in
the  calculation of Estimated Long  Term Return. There thus  can be no assurance
that the Estimated  Current Returns or  the Estimated Long  Term Returns  quoted
herein will be realized in the future. Both the Estimated Current Return and the
Estimated  Long Term Return quoted  herein are based on  the market value of the
underlying Bonds on the  business day prior to  the Date of Deposit;  subsequent
calculations  of these performance measures will reflect the then current market
value of the underlying Bonds and may be higher or lower. For more  information,
see Section 9. 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.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
   
                 ESSENTIAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE TRUSTS ON
                               DECEMBER 15, 1994+
    
           Sponsor and Evaluator...... John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated
           Trustee........... United States Trust Company of New York
                  -------------------------------------------
 
The  income, expense and distribution data  set forth below have been calculated
for  Unitholders   receiving   MONTHLY   distributions.   Unitholders   choosing
distributions  quarterly or  semi-annually will receive  slightly higher returns
because of the lower Trustee's fees and expenses under such plans. (SEE  SECTION
3 FOR DATA RELATING TO THESE PLANS.)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        CONNECTICUT          MARYLAND            VIRGINIA            NATIONAL
                                                        TRADITIONAL         TRADITIONAL         TRADITIONAL           INSURED
                                                         TRUST 270           TRUST 302           TRUST 296           TRUST 286
<S>                                                   <C>                 <C>                 <C>                 <C>
                                                      ---------------     ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
Principal Amount of Bonds in Trust..................  $    3,500,000      $    3,500,000      $    3,500,000      $   10,000,000
Number of Units.....................................          35,000              35,000              35,000             100,000
Fractional Undivided Interest in Trust Per Unit.....        1/35,000            1/35,000            1/35,000           1/100,000
Public Offering Price--Less than 500 Units
    Aggregate Offering Price of Bonds in Trust......  $    3,304,360      $    3,202,667      $    3,310,612      $    9,528,840
    Divided by Number of Units......................  $        94.41      $        91.50      $        94.59      $        95.29
    Plus Sales Charge*..............................  $         4.86      $         4.71      $         4.87      $         4.91
    Public Offering Price Per Unit(1)...............  $        99.27      $        96.21      $        99.46      $       100.20
Redemption Price Per Unit (exclusive of accrued
  interest).........................................  $        93.93      $        91.04      $        94.11      $        94.81
Sponsor's Initial Repurchase Price Per Unit
  (exclusive of accrued interest)...................  $        94.41      $        91.50      $        94.59      $        95.29
Excess of Public Offering Price Per Unit over
  Redemption Price Per Unit.........................  $         5.34      $         5.17      $         5.35      $         5.39
Excess of Public Offering Price Per Unit over
  Sponsor's Repurchase Price Per Unit...............  $         4.86      $         4.71      $         4.87      $         4.91
Calculation of Estimated Net Annual Interest Income
  Per Unit
    Annual Interest Income(2).......................  $       6.1821      $       5.9274      $       6.3071      $       6.4331
    Less Estimated Annual Expense...................  $        .2355      $        .2350      $        .2473      $        .2298
                                                      ---------------     ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
    Estimated Net Annual Interest Income(3).........  $       5.9466      $       5.6924      $       6.0598      $       6.2033
Daily Rate of Accrual Per Unit......................  $       .01651      $       .01581      $       .01683      $       .01723
Estimated Current Return(4).........................           5.99%               5.92%               6.09%               6.19%
Estimated Long Term Return(4).......................           6.09%               6.12%               6.19%               6.26%
BECAUSE CERTAIN OF THE BONDS IN THE TRUSTS WILL NOT BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE UNTIL AFTER THE SETTLEMENT DATE FOR A PURCHASE OF
UNITS  MADE ON THE DATE OF DEPOSIT, INTEREST THAT ACCRUES ON THOSE  BONDS BETWEEN THE DATE OF DEPOSIT AND SUCH DELIVERY DATE WILL
BE TREATED AS A RETURN OF PRINCIPAL RATHER THAN AS TAX-EXEMPT INCOME. THE AMOUNT OF ANY SUCH RETURN OF PRINCIPAL IS NOT  INCLUDED
IN  THE ANNUAL INTEREST INCOME SHOWN ABOVE.  FOR THE VARIOUS TRUSTS, THE FOLLOWING  SETS FORTH THE LATEST SCHEDULED BOND DELIVERY
DATE, THE AMOUNT PER UNIT THAT WILL BE TREATED AS A RETURN  OF PRINCIPAL TO UNITHOLDERS WHO PURCHASE ON THE DATE OF DEPOSIT,  AND
THE ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN AFTER THE FIRST YEAR, ASSUMING THE PORTFOLIO AND ESTIMATED ANNUAL EXPENSES DO NOT VARY FROM THAT SET
FORTH ABOVE (SEE SECTIONS 3 AND 12 AND THE "SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS"):
                                   LATEST SCHEDULED         PER UNIT         ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN
                                    DELIVERY DATE     RETURN OF PRINCIPAL      AFTER THE FIRST YEAR
                                  ------------------  --------------------   -------------------------
  MARYLAND TRADITIONAL TRUST....   JANUARY 11, 1995   $           .01                     5.93        %
 
  NATIONAL INSURED TRUST........  DECEMBER 28, 1994   $           .01                     6.20        %
<FN>
- ----------
Evaluations  for purpose of sale,  purchase or redemption of  Units are made as of  4 p.m. Eastern time  on the business day next
following receipt of an order by the Sponsor or Trustee. (See Section 6.)
 + The business day prior to the Date of Deposit.
 * National and State, 5.152%;  Long Intermediate, 4.439%; Intermediate, 4.058%;  Short Intermediate, 3.093%; Short Term,  2.564%
   (4.9%, 4.25%, 3.9%, 3.0% and 2.5% of the Public Offering Prices, respectively.)
(1)  Units are offered at the Public  Offering Price plus accrued interest from the  preceding Record Date to, but not including,
    the date of settlement (normally five business days after purchase).  The Date of Deposit of the Fund has been designated  as
    the  First Record  Date for all  plans of distribution  of the Trusts  and, accordingly, for  Units purchased on  the Date of
    Deposit, the following  amounts of accrued  interest to  the Settlement Date  will be  added to the  Public Offering  Prices:
    Connecticut Traditional Trust--$.12, Maryland Traditional Trust--$.11, Virginia Traditional Trust-- $.12 and National Insured
    Trust--$.12. (See Section 8.)
(2)  Assumes delivery of  all Bonds. (See Section  4.) Interest income does  not include accretion of  original issue discount on
    "zero coupon" Bonds, Stripped Obligations or other original issue discount Bonds. (See "General Trust Information" in Section
    3.)
(3) The amount and timing of interest distributions from each Trust under the various plans of distribution are shown in  Section
    3.
(4)  Estimated Long Term Return  for each Trust represents  the average of the yields  to maturity (or call)  of the Bonds in the
    Trust's portfolio calculated in accordance with accepted bond  practices and adjusted to reflect expenses and sales  charges.
    Estimated Current Return is computed by dividing the Net Annual Interest Income per Unit by the Public Offering Price, and in
    contrast  to Estimated Long Term  Return does not reflect the  amortization of premium or accretion  of discount, if any. For
    more information see page 3 and Section 9.
</TABLE>
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
                   ESSENTIAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE TRUSTS
                                  (CONTINUED)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>
Record Dates............................................................See Section 13
Distribution Dates......................................................See Section 13
Minimum Principal Distribution..........................................$0.10 Per Unit
Date Trusts Established..............................................December 16, 1994
Settlement Date......................................................December 23, 1994
Mandatory Termination Date..............................................See Section 24
Minimum Value of Each Trust.............................................See Section 24
Sponsor's Annual Evaluation Fee.............$0.17 per $1,000 principal amount of Bonds
Trustee's Annual Fees:
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
                                                ------------------------------------------
                    TRUST                        MONTHLY       QUARTERLY      SEMI-ANNUAL
  -----------------------------------------     ----------     ----------     ------------
  <S>                                           <C>            <C>            <C>
  Connecticut Traditional Trust 270........     $  1.7240      $  1.4040      $   1.2140
  Maryland Traditional Trust 302...........        1.7192         1.3992          1.2092
  Virginia Traditional Trust 296...........        1.8419         1.5219          1.3319
  National Insured Trust 286...............        1.8534         1.5334          1.3434
  ------------
  * Each Trustee annual fee  is per $1,000 principal amount  of the underlying Bonds in  a
    Trust for that portion of the Trust that represents a particular plan of distribution.
</TABLE>
 
                          ---------------------------
 
THE NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST
   
SERIES 774
    
 
   
1.  WHAT IS THE NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST, SERIES 774?
    
 
   
Series  774 of the Nuveen  Tax-Exempt 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. This Series consists of four underlying
separate  unit  investment  trusts,  combined  under  one  trust  indenture  and
agreement, designated Connecticut  Traditional Trust  270, Maryland  Traditional
Trust  302, Virginia Traditional  Trust 296 and National  Insured Trust 286. The
various trusts are collectively referred to  herein as the "Trusts"; the  trusts
in  which few or none of the Bonds  are insured are sometimes referred to as the
"Traditional Trusts",  the trusts  in which  all  of the  Bonds are  insured  as
described  herein are  sometimes referred  to as  the "Insured  Trusts", and the
state trusts (both  Traditional and Insured)  are sometimes referred  to as  the
"State  Trusts." This Series was created under the laws of the State of New York
pursuant to  a  Trust Indenture  and  Agreement  dated December  16,  1994  (the
"Indenture")  between John Nuveen & Co.  Incorporated (the "Sponsor") and United
States Trust Company of New York (the "Trustee").
    
 
   
    The Sponsor has deposited with  the Trustee delivery statements relating  to
contracts  for the  purchase of municipal  debt obligations  together with funds
represented by an irrevocable letter of credit issued by a major commercial bank
in the amount, including accrued interest,  required for their purchase (or  the
obligations  themselves) in the  principal amount of  $20,500,000 (the "Bonds"),
which initially constitute the underlying securities of the
    
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
   
Trusts. Bonds  may  include  fixed rate  obligations  with  regularly  scheduled
interest  payments, zero coupon bonds  and stripped obligations, which represent
evidences of ownership interests with respect to either a principal payment or a
payment of interest  on a  tax-exempt obligation  ("Stripped Obligations").  See
"SUMMARY OF PORTFOLIOS" and "GENERAL TRUST INFORMATION" for a discussion of zero
coupon  bonds  and Stripped  Obligations. The  following principal  amounts were
deposited in  each  Trust:  $3,500,000 in  the  Connecticut  Traditional  Trust,
$3,500,000  in  the  Maryland  Traditional  Trust,  $3,500,000  in  the Virginia
Traditional Trust and  $10,000,000 in the  National Insured Trust.  Some of  the
delivery statements may relate to contracts for the purchase of "when issued" or
other Bonds with delivery dates after the date of settlement for a purchase made
on  the Date of Deposit. See the "Schedules of Investments" and Section 4. For a
discussion of  the  Sponsor's obligations  in  the event  of  a failure  of  any
contract  for  the  purchase  of any  of  the  Bonds and  its  limited  right to
substitute other bonds to replace any failed contract, see Section 4.
    
 
    Payment of interest on the Bonds in each Insured Trust, and of principal  at
maturity,  is guaranteed under policies of  insurance obtained by the Sponsor or
by the issuers of the Bonds. (See  Section 5.) AS A GENERAL MATTER, NEITHER  THE
ISSUER  NOR THE SPONSOR HAS OBTAINED INSURANCE  WITH RESPECT TO THE BONDS IN ANY
TRADITIONAL TRUST.
 
   
    The Trustee has delivered to the  Sponsor registered Units for 35,000  Units
of  the Connecticut Traditional Trust, 35,000  Units of the Maryland Traditional
Trust, 35,000 Units of the Virginia  Traditional Trust and 100,000 Units of  the
National Insured Trust, which together represent ownership of the entire Series,
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 of 10 Units  for each $1,000  principal value of Bonds
initially deposited in such Trust. Only Units of the Virginia Traditional  Trust
and National Insured
Trust  are offered for sale to Virginia residents by this Prospectus. Only Units
of the National Insured  Trust are offered for  sale to Washington residents  by
this Prospectus.
    
 
2.  WHAT ARE THE OBJECTIVES OF THE TRUSTS?
 
The  objectives of the Trusts are income  exempt from Federal income tax and, in
the case of State Trusts, where applicable, state income and intangibles  taxes,
and  conservation of capital, through an  investment in obligations issued by or
on behalf of  states and territories  of the United  States and authorities  and
political  subdivisions thereof,  the interest  on which  is, in  the opinion of
recognized bond counsel  to the  issuing governmental  authorities, exempt  from
Federal income tax under existing law. Bonds in any State Trust have been issued
primarily  by  or on  behalf of  the State  for  which such  Trust is  named and
counties, municipalities, authorities  and political  subdivisions thereof,  the
interest  on which Bonds is, in the opinion of bond counsel, exempt from Federal
and certain state income tax and  intangibles taxes, if any, for purchasers  who
qualify  as residents of that State.  Insurance guaranteeing the timely payment,
when due, of all principal and interest  on the Bonds in each Insured Trust  has
been obtained by the Sponsor or by the issuers of such Bonds from Municipal Bond
Investors  Assurance  Corporation,  and  as  a  result  of  such  insurance  the
obligations in the Insured Trusts are rated "Aaa" by Moody's Investors  Service,
Inc. and "AAA" by Standard & Poor's Corporation. (SEE SECTION 5) All obligations
in each Traditional Trust are rated in the category "A" or better (SP-1 or MIG 2
or  better  in the  case  of short  term obligations  included  in a  Short Term
Traditional Trust)  by  Standard  &  Poor's  Corporation  or  Moody's  Investors
Service,  Inc.  (including  provisional or  conditional  ratings).  In addition,
certain Bonds  in  certain  Traditional  Trusts  may  be  covered  by  insurance
guaranteeing the timely payment,
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
when  due, of  all principal  and interest. (SEE  SECTION 3.)  The portfolios of
National and State  Trusts consist  of long-term  (approximately 15  to 40  year
maturities)   obligations;  those   of  Long  Intermediate   Trusts  consist  of
intermediate to long term (approximately 11 to 19 year maturities)  obligations;
those of Intermediate Trusts consist of intermediate term (approximately 5 to 15
year  maturities)  obligations; those  of Short  Intermediate Trusts  consist of
short to intermediate term (approximately  3 to 7 year maturities)  obligations;
and  those of Short Term Trusts consist of short term (approximately 1 to 5 year
maturities) obligations.  There is,  of course,  no guarantee  that the  Trusts'
objectives  will  be achieved.  For  a comparison  of  net after-tax  return for
various tax  brackets  see  the "Taxable  Equivalent  Estimated  Current  Return
Tables" included in this Prospectus.
 
    Each  Trust consists  of fixed-rate  municipal debt  obligations. Because of
this an investment in a Trust should be made with an understanding of the  risks
which an investment in such debt obligations may entail, including the risk that
the  value of the debt obligations and  therefore of the Units will decline with
increases in  interest  rates. In  general,  the  longer the  period  until  the
maturity  of a  Bond, the more  sensitive its  value will be  to fluctuations in
interest rates. During the past decade, there have been substantial fluctuations
in interest  rates, and,  accordingly, in  the value  of debt  obligations.  The
Sponsor cannot predict whether such fluctuations will recur.
 
3.  SUMMARY OF PORTFOLIOS
 
In  selecting  Bonds for  the respective  Trusts,  the following  factors, among
others, were considered:  (i) the Standard  & Poor's Corporation  rating of  the
Bonds  or the Moody's Investors Service, Inc. rating of the Bonds (see Section 2
for a description  of minimum rating  standards), (ii) the  prices of the  Bonds
relative   to  other  bonds  of  comparable  quality  and  maturity,  (iii)  the
diversification of Bonds as to purpose of issue and location of issuer, (iv) the
maturity dates of the Bonds, and (v) in the case of the Insured Trusts only, the
availability of Municipal Bond Investors Assurance Corporation insurance on such
Bonds.
 
    In order for Bonds in the Insured  Trusts to be eligible for Municipal  Bond
Investors Assurance Corporation insurance, they must have credit characteristics
which,  in the opinion of the insurer,  would qualify them as "investment grade"
obligations. Insurance is not  a substitute for the  basic credit of an  issuer,
but  supplements the existing credit  and provides additional security therefor.
(SEE SECTION 5.)
 
    Certain bonds may carry a "mandatory put" (also referred to as a  "mandatory
tender"  or "mandatory repurchase") feature pursuant to which the holder of such
bonds will receive payment of the full principal amount thereof on a stated date
prior to the maturity date unless  such holder affirmatively acts to retain  the
bond.  Under the Indenture,  the Trustee does  not have the  authority to act to
retain Bonds with  such features; accordingly,  it will receive  payment of  the
full  principal amount of any such Bonds on the stated put date and such date is
therefore treated as the maturity date of such Bonds in selecting Bonds for  the
respective  Trusts and for  purposes of calculating the  average maturity of the
Bonds in any Trust.
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
   
CONNECTICUT TRADITIONAL TRUST 270
    
   
    The Portfolio of Connecticut Traditional Trust 270 consists of 7 obligations
issued  by entities located in  Connecticut. Two Bonds in  the Trust are general
obligations of the  governmental entities  issuing them  and are  backed by  the
taxing  powers thereof. Five Bonds in the  Trust are payable as to principal and
interest from  the  income  of a  specific  project  or authority  and  are  not
supported  by the issuer's power to levy taxes. The sources of payment for these
Bonds are divided as  follows: Dedicated-Tax Supported  Revenue, 1; College  and
University  Revenue,  1; Health  Care Facility  Revenue,  2; Water  and/or Sewer
Revenue, 1.  Seven  issues  in  the  Trust  were  rated  by  Standard  &  Poor's
Corporation  as  follows: 4--AAA,  1--AA+, 2--AA-.  Seven  issues were  rated by
Moody's Investors Service, Inc. as follows: 4--Aaa, 1--Aa, 2--A1.
    
   
    At the Date of Deposit, the average maturity of the Bonds in the Connecticut
Traditional Trust is 25.7 years. The average maturity of the Bonds in a Trust is
calculated based upon the stated maturities of the Bonds in such Trust (or, with
respect to Bonds for  which funds or  securities have been  placed in escrow  to
redeem such Bonds on a stated call date, based upon such call date). The average
maturity  of the Bonds in a Trust may  increase or decrease from time to time as
Bonds mature or are called or sold.
    
 
    Approximately 29% of  the aggregate  principal amount  of the  Bonds in  the
Trust  are  obligations of  issuers whose  revenues  are primarily  derived from
hospitals or other health care services,  all of which is covered by  insurance.
The  source  of payment  for these  Bonds  is insured  by a  commercial insurer.
Consequently, the credit ratings of such Bonds essentially reflect the  strength
of  the insurance or guarantee  and, depending upon the  actual structure of the
bond issue, are typically  rated "Aaa" or  "Aa" by Moody's or  "AAA" or "AA"  by
Standard & Poor's.
 
    For  a discussion of the  risks associated with investments  in the bonds of
various issuers, see "General Trust Information" in this section.
 
   
    The Sponsor entered into contracts to acquire the Bonds between December 14,
1994 and December 15, 1994.  The following summarizes certain information  about
the Bonds as of the business day prior to the Date of Deposit:
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TRUSTEE'S
                                                               DETERMINATION OF OFFERING PRICE AND
   COST TO    PROFIT (OR LOSS)   ANNUAL INTEREST   BID PRICE              THE BID PRICE
   SPONSOR       TO SPONSOR      INCOME TO TRUST    OF BONDS       (AS % OF PRINCIPAL AMOUNT)
  ----------  -----------------  ----------------  ----------  -----------------------------------
  <S>         <C>                <C>               <C>         <C>
  $3,292,485       $11,875           $216,375      $3,287,485                 .48%
</TABLE>
 
    Neither   cost  to  Sponsor  nor  profit   (or  loss)  to  Sponsor  reflects
underwriting profits or losses received or  incurred by the Sponsor through  its
participation   in  underwriting  syndicates.  An  underwriter  or  underwriting
syndicate purchases bonds  from the issuer  on a negotiated  or competitive  bid
basis  as principal with  the motive of  marketing such bonds  to investors at a
profit. The Sponsor did not participate as  either the sole underwriter or as  a
manager  or member of a syndicate that  acted as the original underwriter of any
of the Bonds.
 
   
    Unitholders may  elect to  have interest  distributions made  on a  monthly,
quarterly or semi-annual basis. The interest on the Bonds initially deposited in
the  Connecticut  Traditional Trust,  less estimated  expenses, is  estimated to
accrue at the rate  of $.01666 per  Unit per day under  the semi-annual plan  of
distribution,  $.01660 per Unit per day under the quarterly plan of distribution
and $.01651 per  Unit per  day under  the monthly  plan of  distribution. It  is
anticipated  that the amount of interest to be distributed per Unit in each year
under each plan  of distribution will  initially be substantially  equal to  the
Estimated Net Annual Interest Income per Unit for that plan.
    
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
    Details  of interest distributions  per Unit of  the Connecticut Traditional
Trust under the various plans appear in the following table based upon estimated
Net Annual Interest Income at the Date of Deposit:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                      NORMAL
                                                                                                  DISTRIBUTIONS
CONNECTICUT TRADITIONAL TRUST                                     1995                               PER YEAR
<S>                                     <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>        <C>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------------
Record Date*..........................        2/1            5/1            8/1           11/1
Distribution Date.....................       2/15           5/15           8/15          11/15
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monthly Distribution Plan.............  $   .7429(1)                                              $  5.9466
                                                        --------  $.4953 every month  --------
Quarterly Distribution Plan...........  $   .7429(1)   $  1.4940(2)   $  1.4940      $  1.4940    $  5.9786
Semi-Annual Distribution Plan.........  $   .7429(1)   $  1.4994(3)                  $  2.9988    $  5.9976
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN>
 * Record Dates for semi-annual distributions are May 1 and November 1; for quarterly distributions, they are February 1, May  1,
   August 1 and November 1. Record Dates for monthly distributions are the first day of each month.
(1)  The first distribution will be paid to all Unitholders,  regardless of the distribution plan selected. Such distribution may
    be more or less than a regular monthly distribution.
(2) Regular 3-month distribution.
(3) The second distribution  under the semi-annual  distribution plan represents a  3-month distribution; subsequent  semi-annual
    distributions will be regular 6-month distributions.
</TABLE>
 
    The  accrual amounts set forth above, and  in turn the amount of interest to
be distributed annually per Unit, will  generally change as Bonds are  redeemed,
mature or are sold or as fees and expenses increase or decrease.
 
TAX STATUS--CONNECTICUT TRADITIONAL TRUST
 
    For  a discussion of the Federal tax  status of income earned on Connecticut
Traditional Trust Units, see Section 11.
 
    The assets of the Connecticut Traditional Trust will consist of  obligations
issued by or on behalf of the State of Connecticut or its political subdivisions
or  public instrumentalities, state or  local authorities, districts, or similar
public entities created under the laws of  the State of Connecticut or by or  on
behalf  of  a  United  States  territory  or  possession  the  interest  on  the
obligations of  which Federal  law  would prohibit  Connecticut from  taxing  if
received   directly  by  a  Unitholder  (the  "Bonds").  Certain  Bonds  in  the
Connecticut Traditional Trust that  were issued by the  State of Connecticut  or
governmental  authorities  located  in  Connecticut  were  issued  prior  to the
enactment of a Connecticut tax on the interest income of individuals; therefore,
bond counsel to the issuers  of such Connecticut Bonds did  not opine as to  the
exemption  of the interest on such Connecticut Bonds from such tax. However, the
Sponsor and special counsel  to the Trusts for  Connecticut tax matters  believe
that  such interest  will be  so exempt.  Interest on  Connecticut Bonds  in the
Connecticut Traditional  Trust issued  by  other issuers,  if  any, is,  in  the
opinion of bond counsel to such issuers, exempt from state taxation.
 
    In  the opinion of  Day, Berry &  Howard, special counsel  to the Series for
Connecticut tax matters, which relies explicitly  on the opinion of Chapman  and
Cutler regarding Federal income tax matters, under existing Connecticut law:
 
        The  Connecticut  Traditional Trust  is  not liable  for  any tax  on or
    measured by net income imposed by the State of Connecticut.
 
        Interest income from a Bond held by the Connecticut Traditional Trust is
    not taxable under the Connecticut tax  on the Connecticut taxable income  of
    individuals,
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
   
    trusts,  and estates (the  "Connecticut Income Tax"),  when such interest is
    received by the  Connecticut Traditional  Trust or  distributed by  it to  a
    Unitholder.
    
 
        Gains  and  losses recognized  by a  Unitholder  for Federal  income tax
    purposes upon the maturity,  redemption, sale, or  other disposition by  the
    Connecticut  Traditional Trust of a Bond held by the Connecticut Traditional
    Trust or upon the redemption,  sale, or other disposition  of a Unit of  the
    Connecticut Traditional Trust held by a Unitholder are taken into account as
    gains  or losses, respectively, for purposes  of the Connecticut Income Tax,
    except that, in the case of a  Unitholder holding a Unit of the  Connecticut
    Traditional  Trust as a capital asset, such gains and losses recognized upon
    the maturity, redemption, sale or exchange of a Bond issued by or on  behalf
    of  the State of  Connecticut, any political  subdivision thereof, or public
    instrumentality, state  or  local  authority, district,  or  similar  public
    entity  created under the  laws of the State  of Connecticut (a "Connecticut
    Bond") held by the Connecticut Traditional Trust are excluded from gains and
    losses taken  into  account for  purposes  of such  tax  and no  opinion  is
    expressed  as to the treatment for purposes  of such tax of gains and losses
    recognized, to  the  extent  attributable to  Connecticut  Bonds,  upon  the
    redemption,  sale, or  other disposition  by a Unitholder  of a  Unit of the
    Connecticut Traditional Trust held by him.
 
        The portion of any  interest income or capital  gain of the  Connecticut
    Traditional  Trust that is allocable to a  Unitholder that is subject to the
    Connecticut corporation business tax  is includable in  the gross income  of
    such Unitholder for purposes of such tax.
 
        An interest in a Unit of the Connecticut Traditional Trust that is owned
    by  or attributable to  a Connecticut resident  at the time  of his death is
    includable in his gross  estate for purposes  of the Connecticut  succession
    tax and the Connecticut estate tax.
 
TAX DISCLOSURE--CONNECTICUT
 
    The  Connecticut  Income  Tax  was enacted  in  August,  1991.  Generally, a
Unitholder recognizes gain or loss for purposes  of this tax to the same  extent
he  recognizes gain  or loss  for Federal  income tax  purposes. Ordinarily this
would mean  that gain  or loss  would be  recognized by  a Unitholder  upon  the
maturity,  redemption, sale, or other disposition by the Connecticut Traditional
Trust of a Bond held by it,  or upon the redemption, sale, or other  disposition
of a Unit of the Connecticut Traditional Trust held by the Unitholder.
 
    However, on June 19, 1992, Connecticut legislation was adopted that provides
that  gains and losses  from the sale  or exchange of  Connecticut Bonds held as
capital assets will not  be taken into account  for purposes of the  Connecticut
Income  Tax for taxable years starting on  or after January 1, 1992. Regulations
effective for taxable years  starting on or after  January 1, 1994 clarify  that
this  provision also applies to gain or loss recognized by a Unitholder upon the
maturity or redemption of a Connecticut Bond held by the Connecticut Traditional
Trust. However,  it is  not clear  whether this  provision would  apply, to  the
extent  attributable to  Connecticut Bonds  held by  the Connecticut Traditional
Trust, to gain or loss recognized by a Unitholder upon the redemption, sale,  or
other  disposition of a  Unit of the  Connecticut Traditional Trust  held by the
Unitholder. Unitholders are urged to  consult their own tax advisors  concerning
these matters.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
ECONOMIC FACTORS--CONNECTICUT
 
    Investors  should  be aware  that  manufacturing was  historically  the most
important economic activity  within the State  of Connecticut but,  in terms  of
number  of persons  employed, manufacturing has  declined in the  last ten years
while both trade and service-related industries have become more important,  and
in  1993  manufacturing  accounted  for  only  19.2%  of  total non-agricultural
employment in Connecticut. Defense-related business represents a relatively high
proportion of  the manufacturing  sector; reductions  in defense  spending  have
already  had  a substantial  adverse effect  on  Connecticut's economy,  and the
State's largest  defense contractors  have announced  substantial planned  labor
force reductions scheduled to occur over the next four years. Connecticut is now
in  a recession, the depth and duration  of which are uncertain. Moreover, while
unemployment in the State as a  whole had generally remained below the  national
level,  as of May 1993,  the estimated rate of  unemployment in Connecticut on a
seasonally adjusted basis was 7.4%, compared to 6.9% for the United States as  a
whole,  and certain  geographic areas  in the State  have been  affected by high
unemployment and poverty. The State derives over 70% of its revenues from  taxes
imposed by it, the most important of which have been the sales and use taxes and
the corporation business tax, each of which is sensitive to changes in the level
of  economic activity in the  State, but the Connecticut  Income Tax, enacted in
1991, is expected  to supersede  each of  them in  importance. There  can be  no
assurance  that general economic difficulties  or the financial circumstances of
the State or its towns and cities will not adversely affect the market value  of
the Connecticut Bonds in the Connecticut Traditional Trust or the ability of the
obligors to pay debt service on such Connecticut Bonds.
 
    The  General Fund budget adopted by  Connecticut for the 1986-87 fiscal year
contemplated both revenues and expenditures of $4,300,000,000. The General  Fund
ended  the 1986-87 fiscal year with a  surplus of $365,200,000. The General Fund
budget for  the  1987-88 fiscal  year  contemplated General  Fund  revenues  and
expenditures  of  $4,915,800,000. However,  the General  Fund ended  the 1987-88
fiscal year with a deficit of $115,600,000. The General Fund budget adopted  for
the   1988-89  fiscal  year  anticipated   that  General  Fund  expenditures  of
$5,551,000,000 and certain educational  expenses of $206,700,000 not  previously
paid  through the General Fund  would be funded in  part from surpluses of prior
years and in part from higher tax revenues projected to result from tax laws  in
effect  for  the  1987-88  fiscal  year  and  stricter  enforcement  thereof;  a
substantial deficit was projected during the third quarter of the 1988-89 fiscal
year, but largely because of tax law changes that took effect before the end  of
the  fiscal year, the deficit  was kept to $28,000,000.  The General Fund budget
adopted for the  1989-90 fiscal year  anticipated expenditures of  approximately
$6,224,500,000 and, by virtue of tax increase legislation enacted to take effect
generally  at the beginning of the fiscal year, revenues slightly exceeding such
amount. However, largely  because of  tax revenue shortfalls,  the General  Fund
ended  the 1989-90  fiscal year  with a  deficit for  the year  of $259,500,000,
wiping out reserves for such  events built up in  prior years. The General  Fund
budget   adopted  for  the  1990-91  fiscal  year  anticipated  expenditures  of
$6,433,000,000,  but  no  significant  new  or  increased  taxes  were  enacted.
Primarily  because  of significant  declines in  tax revenues  and unanticipated
expenditures reflective  of  economic  adversity, the  General  Fund  ended  the
1990-91 fiscal year alone with a further deficit of $809,000,000.
 
    A  General Fund  budget for  the 1991-92 fiscal  year was  not enacted until
August  22,  1991.  This  budget   anticipated  General  Fund  expenditures   of
$7,007,861,328  and revenues of $7,426,390,000.  Projected decreases in revenues
resulting from a 25% reduction in the sales
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
tax rate effective October 1, 1991, the repeal of the taxes on the capital gains
and interest  and dividend  income of  resident individuals  for years  starting
after 1991, and the phase-out of the corporation business tax surcharge over two
years commencing with taxable years starting after 1991 were expected to be more
than offset by a new general income tax imposed at effective rates not to exceed
4.5% on the Connecticut taxable income of resident and non-resident individuals,
trusts,  and estates.  The General  Fund ended the  1991-92 fiscal  year with an
operating surplus  of $110,000,000.  The  General Fund  budget for  the  1992-93
fiscal year anticipated General Fund expenditures of $7,372,062,859 and revenues
of  $7,372,210,000, and the General  Fund ended the 1992-93  fiscal year with an
operating surplus  of  $113,500,000.  Balanced  General  Fund  budgets  for  the
biennium  ending June 30, 1995, were  adopted in 1993 appropriating expenditures
of $7,828,900,000 for the 1993-94 fiscal year and $8,266,000,000 for the 1994-95
fiscal year. In 1994  the budgeted General Fund  appropriations for the  1994-95
fiscal  year  were increased  to  $8,567,200,000. In  addition,  expenditures of
federal, State, and local funds  in the twelve years  started July 1, 1984,  for
repair  of the  State's roads  and bridges  now projected  at $9,500,000,000 are
anticipated, a portion  of the State's  $4,100,000,000 share of  which would  be
financed  by bonds expected to total $3,700,000,000 and by direct payments, both
of which would be  supported by a Special  Transportation Fund first created  by
the General Assembly for the 1984-85 fiscal year.
 
    To  fund operating cash  requirements, prior to the  1991-92 fiscal year the
State borrowed up to $750,000,000 pursuant to authorization to issue  commercial
paper  and  on  July 29,  1991,  it  issued $200,000,000  of  General Obligation
Temporary Notes, none of which  temporary borrowings are currently  outstanding.
To  fund the cumulative General Fund deficit  for the 1989-90 and 1990-91 fiscal
years, the legislation enacted August  22, 1991, authorized the State  Treasurer
to  issue Economic Recovery  Notes up to  the aggregate amount  of such deficit,
which must be payable no later than June 30, 1996; at least $50,000,000 of  such
Economic  Recovery Notes, but not more than a  cap amount, is to be retired each
fiscal year  commencing with  the 1991-92  fiscal year,  and any  unappropriated
surplus  up to $205,000,000 in the General Fund  at the end of each of the three
fiscal years commencing with the 1991-92  fiscal year must be applied to  retire
such  Economic  Recovery Notes  as  may remain  outstanding  at those  times. On
September 25, 1991,  and October  24, 1991,  the State  issued $640,710,000  and
$325,002,000,   respectively,  of   such  Economic  Recovery   Notes,  of  which
$556,610,000 was outstanding as of August 1, 1994.
 
    As a  result of  the State's  budget problems,  the ratings  of its  general
obligation  bonds were reduced by Standard & Poor's  from AA+ to AA on March 29,
1990, and by Moody's from Aa1 to Aa on April 9, 1990. Moreover, because of these
problems, on September  13, 1991, Standard  & Poor's reduced  its rating of  the
State's  general obligation bonds  and certain other  obligations that depend in
part on the  creditworthiness of the  State to  AA-. On March  7, 1991,  Moody's
downgraded  its  ratings  of the  revenue  bonds of  four  Connecticut hospitals
because of  the  effects of  the  State's restrictive  controlled  reimbursement
environment under which they have been operating.
 
    General  obligation bonds  issued by Connecticut  municipalities are payable
primarily only from  ad velorem  taxes on property  subject to  taxation by  the
municipality.  Certain Connecticut municipalities have experienced severe fiscal
difficulties and  have reported  operating and  accumulated deficits  in  recent
years.  The  most notable  of these  is the  City of  Bridgeport, which  filed a
bankruptcy petition on June 7, 1991. The State opposed the petition. The  United
States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut has held that Bridgeport
has  authority to file such a petition but that its petition should be dismissed
on
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
the grounds  that Bridgeport  was not  insolvent when  the petition  was  filed.
Regional  economic difficulties, reductions in  revenues, and increased expenses
could  lead  to  further  fiscal  problems  for  the  State  and  its  political
subdivisions,  authorities, and agencies. Difficulty  in payment of debt service
on borrowings could result in declines,  possibly severe, in the value of  their
outstanding obligations and increases in their future borrowing costs.
 
CONNECTICUT TAXABLE ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN TABLE
 
    The  following tables show the approximate taxable estimated current returns
for individuals  that are  equivalent to  tax-exempt estimated  current  returns
under  combined Federal and  state taxes, using  published 1994 marginal Federal
tax rates and marginal state tax  rates currently available and scheduled to  be
in effect under the Connecticut Income Tax. The tables incorporate increased tax
rates   for  higher-income   taxpayers  that   were  included   in  the  Revenue
Reconciliation Act of 1993. For cases in which more than one state bracket falls
within a Federal bracket, the highest state bracket is combined with the Federal
bracket. The combined state and Federal tax brackets shown reflect the fact that
state tax payments are currently deductible for Federal tax purposes. The tables
illustrate what  you would  have to  earn on  taxable investments  to equal  the
tax-exempt  estimated current return  for your income  tax bracket. A taxpayer's
marginal tax rate is affected by both his taxable income and his adjusted  gross
income.  Locate  your adjusted  gross  and your  taxable  income (which  is your
adjusted gross income  reduced by  any deductions and  exemptions), then  locate
your  tax  bracket based  on  joint or  single tax  filing.  Read across  to the
equivalent taxable estimated current return you would need to match the tax-free
income.
 
 COMBINED MARGINAL TAX RATES FOR JOINT TAXPAYERS WITH FOUR PERSONAL EXEMPTIONS6
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  FEDERAL
    FEDERAL      ADJUSTED      COMBINED
    TAXABLE        GROSS       STATE AND                   TAX-EXEMPT ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN
    INCOME        INCOME        FEDERAL       --------------------------------------------------------------
  (1,000'S)1    (1,000'S)2     TAX RATE3      5.25%   5.50%   5.75%   6.00%   6.25%   6.50%   6.75%   7.00%
 ------------- -------------  -----------     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 <S>           <C>            <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 $     0- 38.0 $     0- 38.0      17.5   %     6.36    6.67    6.97    7.27    7.58    7.88    8.18    8.48
    38.0- 91.9    38.0- 48.0      31.0         7.61    7.97    8.33    8.70    9.06    9.42    9.78   10.14
                  48.0- 71.0      34.0         7.95    8.33    8.71    9.09    9.47    9.85   10.23   10.61
                  71.0- 96.0      31.0         7.61    7.97    8.33    8.70    9.06    9.42    9.78   10.14
                  96.0-111.8      31.0         7.61    7.97    8.33    8.70    9.06    9.42    9.78   10.14
                 111.8-167.7      32.0         7.72    8.09    8.46    8.82    9.19    9.56    9.93   10.29
    91.9-140.0    91.9- 96.0      34.0         7.95    8.33    8.71    9.09    9.47    9.85   10.23   10.61
                  96.0-111.8      34.0         7.95    8.33    8.71    9.09    9.47    9.85   10.23   10.61
                 111.8-167.7      35.0         8.08    8.46    8.85    9.23    9.62   10.00   10.38   10.77
                 167.7-290.2      37.5         8.40    8.80    9.20    9.60   10.00   10.40   10.80   11.20
   140.0-250.0   140.0-167.7      40.0         8.75    9.17    9.58   10.00   10.42   10.83   11.25   11.67
                 167.7-290.2      42.5         9.13    9.57   10.00   10.43   10.87   11.30   11.74   12.17
                  Over 290.2      40.0   4     8.75    9.17    9.58   10.00   10.42   10.83   11.25   11.67
    Over 250.0   250.0-290.2      46.5         9.81   10.28   10.75   11.21   11.68   12.15   12.62   13.08
                  Over 290.2      43.5   5     9.29    9.73   10.18   10.62   11.06   11.50   11.95   12.39
</TABLE>
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
 COMBINED MARGINAL TAX RATES FOR SINGLE TAXPAYERS WITH ONE PERSONAL EXEMPTION7
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  FEDERAL
    FEDERAL      ADJUSTED      COMBINED
    TAXABLE        GROSS       STATE AND                   TAX-EXEMPT ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN
    INCOME        INCOME        FEDERAL       --------------------------------------------------------------
  (1,000'S)1    (1,000'S)2     TAX RATE3      5.25%   5.50%   5.75%   6.00%   6.25%   6.50%   6.75%   7.00%
 ------------- -------------  -----------     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 <S>           <C>            <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 $     0- 22.8       0- 22.8      18.5   %     6.44    6.75    7.06    7.36    7.67    7.98    8.28    8.59
    22.8- 55.1    22.8- 24.0      31.0         7.61    7.97    8.33    8.70    9.06    9.42    9.78   10.14
                  24.0- 25.0      33.5         7.89    8.27    8.65    9.02    9.40    9.77   10.15   10.53
                  25.0- 35.0      34.0         7.95    8.33    8.71    9.09    9.47    9.85   10.23   10.61
                  35.0- 48.0      31.0         7.61    7.97    8.33    8.70    9.06    9.42    9.78   10.14
                  48.0-111.8      31.0         7.61    7.97    8.33    8.70    9.06    9.42    9.78   10.14
    55.1-115.0    55.1-111.8      34.0         7.95    8.33    8.71    9.09    9.47    9.85   10.23   10.61
                 111.8-234.3      35.5         8.14    8.53    8.91    9.30    9.69   10.08   10.47   10.85
   115.0-250.0   115.0-234.3      40.5         8.82    9.24    9.66   10.08   10.50   10.92   11.34   11.76
                  Over 234.3      40.0   4     8.75    9.17    9.58   10.00   10.42   10.83   11.25   11.67
    Over 250.0    Over 250.0      43.5   5     9.29    9.73   10.18   10.62   11.06   11.50   11.95   12.39
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------
 
        1 The Connecticut  Income Tax  is based on  Connecticut taxable  income,
which is not tied to Federal taxable income. Connecticut taxable income is equal
to  Connecticut adjusted gross income ("CAGI")  (which is Federal adjusted gross
income with  certain  modifications)  minus  the  allowable  personal  exemption
($12,000  in the case of single  individuals; $24,000 for married persons filing
jointly).  The  Connecticut  Income  Tax  provides  for  a  personal   exemption
phase-out,  which essentially doubles the  effective marginal Connecticut Income
Tax rate for single taxpayers whose CAGI is between $24,000 and $35,001 at which
point the personal  exemption is  completely phased out.  For married  taxpayers
filing  a joint  return, the effective  marginal Connecticut Income  Tax rate is
doubled where CAGI is between $48,000  and $71,001, at which point the  personal
exemption  is completely phased out. It should be noted that for purposes of the
personal exemption  phase-out  the Tax  Act  merely references  "adjusted  gross
income," which the tables assume is identical to CAGI. In addition, as reflected
in  the rates shown,  the Connecticut Income  Tax provides for  a tax credit (at
varying percentages depending  on the  taxpayer's CAGI) against  the income  tax
which is based on CAGI and, in effect, varies the income tax rate for taxpayers.
Investors  should consult  their own  tax advisors  regarding the  effect of the
credit on marginal tax rates at specific CAGI levels.
 
        2 It is assumed that CAGI is equal to Federal adjusted gross income. See
note 1 regarding  the impact  of CAGI on  the determination  of the  Connecticut
Income Tax.
 
        3  The tables reflect  the effect of  limitations on itemized deductions
and the deduction for  personal exemptions. These  limitations were designed  to
phase out certain benefits of such deductions for higher income taxpayers. These
limitations,  in effect, raise the current  maximum marginal Federal tax rate to
approximately 44.0 percent for taxpayers filing  a joint return and entitled  to
four  personal exemptions and to approximately 41.0 percent for taxpayers filing
a single return entitled to only  one personal exemption. These limitations  are
subject  to certain maximums,  which depend on the  number of exemptions claimed
and the total  amount of the  taxpayer's itemized deductions.  For example,  the
limitation  on itemized deductions will  not cause a taxpayer  to lose more than
80% of his allowable itemized deductions, with certain exceptions.
 
        4 Federal tax rate reverts to 36.0% after the 80% cap on the  limitation
on itemized deductions has been met.
 
        5  Federal tax rate reverts to 39.6% after the 80% cap on the limitation
on itemized deductions has been met.
 
        6 Includes taxpayers filing as surviving spouses.
 
        7 The Connecticut Income Tax has different marginal effective tax  rates
that  are  not  reflected  in  these  tables  for  persons  filing  as  heads of
households.
 
    A comparison of  tax-free and equivalent  taxable estimated current  returns
with  the returns on various  taxable investments is one  element to consider in
making an  investment  decision.  The Sponsor  may  from  time to  time  in  its
advertising  and sales materials  compare the then  current estimated returns on
the Trust and returns over specified periods on other similar Nuveen Trusts with
returns on taxable investments such as corporate or U.S. Government bonds,  bank
CD's  and  money  market accounts  or  money  market funds,  each  of  which has
investment characteristics  that  may  differ  from those  of  the  Trust.  U.S.
Government  bonds, for example, are  backed by the full  faith and credit of the
U.S. Government and bank CD's and money market accounts are insured by an agency
of the federal government. Money market accounts and money market funds  provide
stability  of principal, but pay interest at  rates that vary with the condition
of the short-term debt market. The  investment characteristics of the Trust  are
described more fully elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
   
NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS AT DATE OF DEPOSIT
DECEMBER 16, 1994
CONNECTICUT TRADITIONAL TRUST 270
(SERIES 774)
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          Ratings(3)           Trustee's
                                                                      Optional       ---------------------   Determination
 Aggregate        Name of Issuer and Title of Issue Represented      Redemption       Standard                of Offering
  Principal        by Sponsor's Contracts to Purchase Bonds(1)      Provisions(2)     & Poor's    Moody's      Price(4)
<C>          <C> <S>                                              <C>                <C>         <C>        <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$   500,000      State of Connecticut, Clean Water Fund Revenue      2004 at 102        AA+         Aa      $       459,780
                   Bonds, 1994 Series, 5.80% Due 6/1/16.
    500,000      State of Connecticut, General Fund Obligation       2004 at 102        AA-         A1              482,200
                   Bonds, 1994 Series A, Issued By Connecticut
                   Development Authority, 6.375% Due 10/15/24.
                   (General Obligation Bonds.)
    500,000      State of Connecticut, Health and Educational        2004 at 101        AAA         Aaa             522,075
                   Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Choate
                   Rosemary Hall Issue, Series A, 7.00% Due
                   7/1/25. (MBIA Insured.)
    500,000      State of Connecticut, Health and Educational        2003 at 101        AAA         Aaa             437,805
                   Facilities Authority Revenue Bonds,
                   Manchester Memorial Hospital Issue, Series D,
                   5.75% Due 7/1/22. (MBIA Insured.)
    500,000      State of Connecticut, Health and Educational        2004 at 102        AAA         Aaa             458,180
                   Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, New
                   Britain General Hospital Issue, Series B,
                   6.00% Due 7/1/24. (AMBAC Insured.)
    500,000      State of Connecticut, Health and Educational        2004 at 102        AA-         A1              462,170
                   Facilities Authority, Revenue Bonds, Nursing
                   Home Program Issue, Series 1994 (St. Camillus
                   Health Center Project), 6.25% Due 11/1/18.
                   (General Obligation Bonds.)
    500,000      State of Connecticut, Special Tax Obligation        2004 at 101        AAA         Aaa             482,150
                   Bonds, Transportation Infrastructure
                   Purposes, 1994 Series B, 6.10% Due 10/1/11.
                   (FGIC Insured.)
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
$ 3,500,000                                                                                                 $     3,304,360
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
</TABLE>
 
See Notes to Schedules of Investments, page 35.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
   
MARYLAND TRADITIONAL TRUST 302
    
 
   
    The  Portfolio of Maryland  Traditional Trust 302  consists of 8 obligations
issued by entities  located in  Maryland. One  Bond in  the Trust  is a  general
obligation  of the governmental  entity issuing it  and is backed  by the taxing
power thereof. Seven Bonds in the Trust are payable as to principal and interest
from the income of a specific project or authority and are not supported by  the
issuer's power to levy taxes. The sources of payment for these Bonds are divided
as  follows: College  and University Revenue,  2; Electrical  System Revenue, 1;
Health Care Facility Revenue, 2; Municipal Lease Revenue, 1; Water and/or  Sewer
Revenue,  1.  Eight  issues  in  the  Trust  were  rated  by  Standard  & Poor's
Corporation as follows: 3--AAA, 1--AA+, 1--AA, 1--AA-, 1--A+, 1--A. Eight issues
were rated by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. as follows: 3--Aaa, 3--Aa,  1--A1,
1--A.
    
 
   
    At  the Date of Deposit,  the average maturity of  the Bonds in the Maryland
Traditional Trust is 24.2 years. The average maturity of the Bonds in a Trust is
calculated based upon the stated maturities of the Bonds in such Trust (or, with
respect to Bonds for  which funds or  securities have been  placed in escrow  to
redeem such Bonds on a stated call date, based upon such call date). The average
maturity  of the Bonds in a Trust may  increase or decrease from time to time as
Bonds mature or are called or sold.
    
 
   
    Approximately 14.3% of the  aggregate principal amount of  the Bonds in  the
Trust (accounting for approximately 11.8% of the aggregate offering price of the
Bonds)    are   original    issue   discount    bonds.   See    "GENERAL   TRUST
INFORMATION--ORIGINAL ISSUE  DISCOUNT  BONDS  AND STRIPPED  OBLIGATIONS"  for  a
discussion  of the  characteristics of  such bonds  and of  the risks associated
therewith.
    
 
    Approximately 29% of  the aggregate  principal amount  of the  Bonds in  the
Trust  are  obligations of  issuers whose  revenues  are primarily  derived from
payments to colleges  and universities, including  tuition, dormitory  revenues,
grants  and endorsements. Insurance guaranteeing  prompt payment of interest and
principal on certain of the Bonds in  the Trust has been obtained by the  issuer
or  underwriter of such  Bonds from a  commercial insurer. Such  Bonds are rated
"Aaa" or "Aa" by Moody's or "AAA" or "AA" by Standard & Poor's, reflecting those
rating agencies' current assessment of  the creditworthiness of the insurer  and
its  ability to pay claims on its policies of insurance. Fourteen percent of the
aggregate principal  amount of  the Bonds,  included in  the above  amount,  are
obligations  of issuers  whose revenues are  primarily derived  from payments to
colleges and  universities, including  tuition, dormitory  revenues, grants  and
endorsements, but which are covered by such insurance.
 
    Approximately  29% of  the aggregate  principal amount  of the  Bonds in the
Trust are  obligations of  issuers  whose revenues  are primarily  derived  from
hospitals  or other health care  services. The source of  payment for certain of
these Bonds, accounting for 14% of the Trust (included in the above percentage),
is insured by  a commercial insurer.  Consequently, the credit  ratings of  such
Bonds  essentially  reflect  the strength  of  the insurance  or  guarantee and,
depending upon the actual structure of the bond issue, are typically rated "Aaa"
or "Aa" by Moody's or "AAA" or "AA" by Standard & Poor's.
 
    For a discussion of  the risks associated with  investments in the bonds  of
various issuers, see "General Trust Information" in this section.
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
   
    The Sponsor entered into contracts to acquire the Bonds between December 14,
1994  and December 15, 1994. The  following summarizes certain information about
the Bonds as of the business day prior to the Date of Deposit:
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TRUSTEE'S
                                                               DETERMINATION OF OFFERING PRICE AND
   COST TO    PROFIT (OR LOSS)   ANNUAL INTEREST   BID PRICE              THE BID PRICE
   SPONSOR       TO SPONSOR      INCOME TO TRUST    OF BONDS       (AS % OF PRINCIPAL AMOUNT)
  ----------  -----------------  ----------------  ----------  -----------------------------------
  <S>         <C>                <C>               <C>         <C>
  $3,188,225       $14,442           $207,938      $3,186,604                 .46%
</TABLE>
 
    Neither  cost  to  Sponsor  nor   profit  (or  loss)  to  Sponsor   reflects
underwriting  profits or losses received or  incurred by the Sponsor through its
participation  in  underwriting  syndicates.  An  underwriter  or   underwriting
syndicate  purchases bonds  from the issuer  on a negotiated  or competitive bid
basis as principal with  the motive of  marketing such bonds  to investors at  a
profit.  The Sponsor did not participate as  either the sole underwriter or as a
manager or member of a syndicate that  acted as the original underwriter of  any
of the Bonds.
 
   
    Unitholders  may elect  to have  interest distributions  made on  a monthly,
quarterly or semi-annual basis. The interest on the Bonds initially deposited in
the Maryland Traditional Trust, less estimated expenses, is estimated to  accrue
at  the  rate  of  $.01595  per  Unit per  day  under  the  semi-annual  plan of
distribution, $.01590 per Unit per day under the quarterly plan of  distribution
and  $.01581 per  Unit per  day under  the monthly  plan of  distribution. It is
anticipated that the amount of interest to be distributed per Unit in each  year
under  each plan  of distribution will  initially be substantially  equal to the
Estimated Net Annual Interest Income per Unit for that plan.
    
 
    Details of interest distributions per Unit of the Maryland Traditional Trust
under the various plans appear in  the following table based upon estimated  Net
Annual Interest Income at the Date of Deposit:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                      NORMAL
                                                                                                  DISTRIBUTIONS
MARYLAND TRADITIONAL TRUST                                        1995                               PER YEAR
<S>                                     <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>        <C>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------------
Record Date*..........................        2/1            5/1            8/1           11/1
Distribution Date.....................       2/15           5/15           8/15          11/15
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monthly Distribution Plan.............  $   .7132(1)                                              $  5.7061
                                                        --------  $.4755 every month  --------
Quarterly Distribution Plan...........  $   .7132(1)   $  1.4337(2)   $  1.4337      $  1.4337    $  5.7381
Semi-Annual Distribution Plan.........  $   .7132(1)   $  1.4391(3)                  $  2.8782    $  5.7571
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN>
 *  Record Dates for semi-annual distributions are May 1 and November 1; for quarterly distributions, they are February 1, May 1,
   August 1 and November 1. Record Dates for monthly distributions are the first day of each month.
(1) The first distribution will be paid to all  Unitholders, regardless of the distribution plan selected. Such distribution  may
    be more or less than a regular monthly distribution.
(2) Regular 3-month distribution.
(3)  The second distribution  under the semi-annual distribution  plan represents a  3-month distribution; subsequent semi-annual
    distributions will be regular 6-month distributions.
</TABLE>
 
    The accrual amounts set forth above, and  in turn the amount of interest  to
be  distributed annually per Unit, will  generally change as Bonds are redeemed,
mature or are sold or as fees and expenses increase or decrease.
 
TAX STATUS--MARYLAND TRADITIONAL TRUST
 
    For a discussion  of the  Federal tax status  of income  earned on  Maryland
Traditional Trust Units, see Section 11.
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
    The   assets   of   the   Maryland  Traditional   Trust   will   consist  of
interest-bearing obligations issued by  or on behalf of  the State of  Maryland,
its political subdivisions and authorities and, provided the interest thereon is
exempt  from State income  taxes by the  laws or treaties  of the United States,
obligations issued  by  or  on  behalf of  the  United  States'  territories  or
possessions, including Puerto Rico, Guam and the Virgin Islands, their political
subdivisions and authorities (the "Maryland Bonds").
 
    In  the  opinion of  Venable, Baetjer  and Howard,  special counsel  for the
Series for Maryland tax matters, under existing law:
 
        For  Maryland  state  and  local  income  tax  purposes,  the   Maryland
    Traditional  Trust will not be taxable as  an association, and the income of
    the Maryland  Traditional  Trust  will  be treated  as  the  income  of  the
    Unitholders.
 
        For  Maryland state  and local  tax purposes,  interest on  the Maryland
    Bonds which is exempt from Maryland state and local income tax when received
    by the Maryland Traditional Trust, and  which would be exempt from  Maryland
    state and local income tax if received directly by a Unitholder, will retain
    its  status as tax-exempt interest when received by the Maryland Traditional
    Trust and distributed to the Unitholders.
 
        Interest derived from  the Maryland  Traditional Trust  by a  Unitholder
    with  respect to the Maryland Bonds will not be subject to Maryland state or
    local income  taxes;  provided that  interest  or profit  derived  from  the
    Maryland Traditional Trust by a financial institution, as defined in Section
    8-101(c)  of the Tax-General Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, will
    be subject to the  Maryland state franchise  tax on financial  institutions,
    except  to the  extent such interest  is expressly exempt  from the Maryland
    state franchise tax  by the statutes  which authorize the  issuance of  such
    Maryland  Bonds  (See  Section  8-204  of the  Tax  General  Article  of the
    Annotated Code of Maryland).
 
        A Unitholder will not be subject  to Maryland state or local income  tax
    with  respect  to gain  realized when  Maryland Bonds  held in  the Maryland
    Traditional Trust  are sold,  redeemed,  or paid  at maturity,  except  with
    respect  to gain realized upon a sale,  redemption or payment at maturity of
    such Maryland  Bonds  as  are  issued  by or  on  behalf  of  United  States
    territories  or possessions,  their political  subdivisions and authorities;
    such gain will equal the proceeds  of sale, redemption or payment, less  the
    tax basis of the Maryland Bonds (adjusted to reflect (a) the amortization of
    Bond  premium or discount,  and (b) the deposit  in the Maryland Traditional
    Trust after the Unitholder's settlement date of Maryland Bonds with  accrued
    interest).
 
        Although  the  matter  is  not  free  from  doubt,  gain  realized  by a
    Unitholder from  the redemption,  sale or  other disposition  of a  Maryland
    Traditional  Trust Unit  (i) will  be subject  to Maryland  state income tax
    except in the case of individual Unitholders who are not Maryland residents,
    and (ii)  will be  subject  to Maryland  local income  tax  in the  case  of
    individual Unitholders who are Maryland residents.
 
        If  interest on  indebtedness incurred or  continued by  a Unitholder to
    purchase Units  in the  Maryland  Traditional Trust  is not  deductible  for
    Federal  income tax  purposes, it  will also  be nondeductible  for Maryland
    state income tax purposes and, if applicable, local income tax purposes.
 
        Maryland Traditional Trust Units will be subject to Maryland inheritance
    and estate tax  only if  held by  Maryland residents.  Neither the  Maryland
    Bonds nor the Maryland
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
    Traditional  Trust Units will be subject  to Maryland personal property tax,
    sales tax or use tax.
 
ECONOMIC FACTORS--MARYLAND
 
    Some of the significant financial considerations relating to the investments
of the  Maryland Traditional  Trust are  summarized below.  This information  is
derived principally from official statements and preliminary official statements
released  on or before May 13, 1992,  relating to issues of Maryland obligations
and does not purport to be a complete description.
 
    The State's total expenditures  for the fiscal years  ending June 30,  1990,
June  30, 1991  and June  30, 1992  were $11.019,  $11.304 and  $11.657 billion,
respectively. As of January 13, 1993,  it was estimated that total  expenditures
for fiscal 1993 would be $11.897 billion. The State's General Fund, representing
approximately  55%-60% of each year's total budget, had a surplus on a budgetary
basis of $57 million in fiscal year 1990, $55 thousand in fiscal year 1991,  and
a deficit of $56 million in fiscal 1992. The Governor of Maryland reduced fiscal
1993  appropriations by $56 million to offset the fiscal 1992 deficit. The State
Constitution mandates a balanced budget.
 
    The 1993 fiscal year budget was  enacted in April 1992 which, together  with
legislation  enacted in 1992,  involved the transfer of  certain funds, new fees
and taxes, and alteration of certain statutory State expenditure programs.  When
the  1993 budget was enacted, it was  estimated that the General Fund surplus at
June 30, 1993 would  be approximately $10 million  on a budgetary basis.  During
the final months of fiscal year 1992 and the initial months of fiscal year 1993,
collections of State revenues were below the levels estimated at the time of the
adoption  of the 1993 budget.  The Governor proposed a  cost containment plan to
address this  revenue shortfall  and to  provide reserves  to finance  potential
deficiency  appropriations. On  September 30,  1992, the  Board of  Public Works
approved the Governor's proposal to  reduce General Fund appropriations by  $168
million.  The Board  of Public  Works also  approved the  Governor's proposal to
reduce the special fund appropriations  for the Department of Transportation  by
$30  million.  Legislation was  introduced at  the 1993  session of  the General
Assembly to  transfer this  $30 million  to the  General Fund,  as well  as  $10
million from various other special funds. In a special session held in November,
1992,  the  General Assembly  enacted legislation  reducing  State aid  to local
governments by  $147 million.  In  addition, other  elements of  the  governor's
original  cost  containment plan  are  in the  process  of being  implemented or
revised.
 
    The public indebtedness  of Maryland  and its  instrumentalities is  divided
into  three  basic types.  The  State issues  general  obligation bonds,  to the
payment of which the State ad  valorem property tax is exclusively pledged,  for
capital improvements and for various State-sponsored projects. The Department of
Transportation   of  Maryland  issues  limited,  special  obligation  bonds  for
transportation purposes payable primarily from specific, fixed-rate excise taxes
and other  revenues related  mainly to  highway use.  Certain authorities  issue
obligations  payable solely from  specific non-tax enterprise  fund revenues and
for which  the  State  has  no  liability and  has  given  no  moral  obligation
assurance.
 
    According  to the most recent available ratings, general obligation bonds of
the State of Maryland are rated "Aaa" by Moody's and "AAA" by Standard &  Poor's
Corporation,  as  are those  of Baltimore  County,  a separate  political entity
surrounding Baltimore  City.  General  obligation bonds  of  Montgomery  County,
located in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., are
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
rated  "Aaa"  by Moody's  and "AAA"  by Standard  & Poor's  Corporation. General
obligation bonds  of Prince  George's County,  the second  largest  metropolitan
county,  which is  also in the  suburbs of  Washington, D.C., are  rated "A1" by
Moody's and "AA-" by Standard & Poor's Corporation. The general obligation bonds
of those other  counties of the  State that are  rated by Moody's  carry an  "A"
rating or better except for those of Allegany County, which are rated "Baa". The
most  populous municipality in Maryland is Baltimore City, the general obligaton
bonds of  which  are  rated  "A1"  by Moody's  and  "A"  by  Standard  &  Poor's
Corporation.  The majority of Maryland Health and Higher Education Authority and
State Department  of Transportation  revenue bond  issues have  received an  "A"
rating or better from Moody's.
 
    While  the ratings and other factors  mentioned above indicate that Maryland
and its principal subdivisions  and agencies are addressing  the effects of  the
economic recession and, overall, are in satisfactory economic health, there can,
of  course, be  no assurance  that this  will continue  or that  particular bond
issues may not be adversely  affected by changes in  state or local economic  or
political conditions.
 
MARYLAND TAXABLE ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN TABLE
 
    The  following tables show the approximate taxable estimated current returns
for individuals  that are  equivalent to  tax-exempt estimated  current  returns
under  combined Federal and  state taxes, using  published 1994 marginal Federal
tax rates and marginal state tax  rates currently available and scheduled to  be
in  effect*.  The  tables  incorporate  increased  tax  rates  for higher-income
taxpayers that were included in the  Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993.  Except
as  indicated below, for cases in which more than one state bracket falls within
a Federal  bracket, the  highest  state bracket  is  combined with  the  Federal
bracket. The combined state and Federal tax brackets shown reflect the fact that
state tax payments are currently deductible for Federal tax purposes. The tables
illustrate  what you  would have  to earn  on taxable  investments to  equal the
tax-exempt estimated current return  for your income  tax bracket. A  taxpayer's
marginal  tax rate is affected by both his taxable income and his adjusted gross
income. Locate  your adjusted  gross  and your  taxable  income (which  is  your
adjusted  gross income  reduced by any  deductions and  exemptions), then locate
your tax  bracket based  on  joint or  single tax  filing.  Read across  to  the
equivalent taxable estimated current return you would need to match the tax-free
income.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
 COMBINED MARGINAL TAX RATES FOR JOINT TAXPAYERS WITH FOUR PERSONAL EXEMPTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  FEDERAL
                 ADJUSTED      COMBINED
    TAXABLE        GROSS      STATE* AND                   TAX-EXEMPT ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN
    INCOME        INCOME        FEDERAL       --------------------------------------------------------------
   (1,000'S)     (1,000'S)     TAX RATE1      5.00%   5.25%   5.50%   5.75%   6.00%   6.25%   6.50%   6.75%
 ------------- -------------  -----------     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 <S>           <C>            <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 $     0- 38.0 $     0-111.8      21.5   %     6.37    6.69    7.01    7.32    7.64    7.96    8.28    8.60
    38.0- 91.9       0-111.8      33.5         7.52    7.89    8.27    8.65    9.02    9.40    9.77   10.15
                 111.8-167.7      34.0         7.58    7.95    8.33    8.71    9.09    9.47    9.85   10.23
    91.9-140.0       0-111.8      36.0         7.81    8.20    8.59    8.98    9.38    9.77   10.16   10.55
                 111.8-167.7      37.0         7.94    8.33    8.73    9.13    9.52    9.92   10.32   10.71
                 167.7-290.2      39.5         8.26    8.68    9.09    9.50    9.92   10.33   10.74   11.16
   140.0-150.0   111.8-167.7      42.0         8.62    9.05    9.48    9.91   10.34   10.78   11.21   11.64
                 167.7-290.2      44.5         9.01    9.46    9.91   10.36   10.81   11.26   11.71   12.16
   150.0-250.0   111.8-167.7      42.5         8.70    9.13    9.57   10.00   10.43   10.87   11.30   11.74
                 167.7-290.2      45.5         9.17    9.63   10.09   10.55   11.01   11.47   11.93   12.39
                  Over 290.2      42.5   2     8.70    9.13    9.57   10.00   10.43   10.87   11.30   11.74
    Over 250.0   167.7-290.2      49.0         9.80   10.29   10.78   11.27   11.76   12.25   12.75   13.24
                  Over 290.2      46.0   3     9.26    9.72   10.19   10.65   11.11   11.57   12.04   12.50
                COMBINED MARGINAL TAX RATES FOR SINGLE TAXPAYERS WITH ONE PERSONAL EXEMPTION
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<CAPTION>
                  FEDERAL
                 ADJUSTED      COMBINED
    TAXABLE        GROSS      STATE* AND                   TAX-EXEMPT ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN
    INCOME        INCOME        FEDERAL       --------------------------------------------------------------
   (1,000'S)     (1,000'S)     TAX RATE1      5.00%   5.25%   5.50%   5.75%   6.00%   6.25%   6.50%   6.75%
 ------------- -------------  -----------     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 <S>           <C>            <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 $     0- 22.8 $     0-111.8      21.5         6.37    6.69    7.01    7.32    7.64    7.96    8.28    8.60
    22.8- 55.1       0-111.8      33.5         7.52    7.89    8.27    8.65    9.02    9.40    9.77   10.15
    55.1-100.0       0-111.8      36.0         7.81    8.20    8.59    8.98    9.38    9.77   10.16   10.55
                 111.8-234.3      37.5         8.00    8.40    8.80    9.20    9.60   10.00   10.40   10.80
   100.0-115.0   111.8-234.3      38.5         8.13    8.54    8.94    9.35    9.76   10.16   10.57   10.98
   115.0-250.0   111.8-234.3      43.5         8.85    9.29    9.73   10.18   10.62   11.06   11.50   11.95
                  Over 234.3      42.5   2     8.70    9.13    9.57   10.00   10.43   10.87   11.30   11.74
    Over 250.0    Over 234.3      46.0   3     9.26    9.72   10.19   10.65   11.11   11.57   12.04   12.50
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------
 
     *  These tables approximate the effect of the exemption of distributions of
tax-exempt income from  the Maryland Trust  from county taxes,  assuming a  rate
equal  to 50%  of the  applicable Maryland  state income  tax rate.  In general,
Maryland  local  income  taxes  imposed   by  various  counties  are  equal   to
approximately  50% of the state income  tax liability, although Worcester County
currently imposes an income tax equal to 30% of the state income tax liability.
 
        1  The  table  reflects  the  effect  of  the  limitations  on  itemized
deductions  and the  deduction for  personal exemptions.  They were  designed to
phase out  certain benefits  of these  deductions for  higher income  taxpayers.
These  limitations, in  effect, raise the  current maximum  marginal Federal tax
rate to  approximately 44.0  percent for  taxpayers filing  a joint  return  and
entitled  to  four personal  exemptions and  to  approximately 41.0  percent for
taxpayers filing a single return entitled to only one personal exemption.  These
limitations  are  subject to  certain maximums,  which depend  on the  number of
exemptions claimed and the total  amount of the taxpayer's itemized  deductions.
For  example, the limitation on itemized deductions will not cause a taxpayer to
lose  more  than  80%  of  his  allowable  itemized  deductions,  with   certain
exceptions.
 
        2  Federal tax rate reverts to 36.0% after the 80% cap on the limitation
on itemized deductions has been met.
 
        3 Federal tax rate reverts to 39.6% after the 80% cap on the  limitation
on itemized deductions has been met.
 
    A  comparison of tax-free  and equivalent taxable  estimated current returns
with the returns on  various taxable investments is  one element to consider  in
making  an  investment  decision. The  Sponsor  may  from time  to  time  in its
advertising and sales materials  compare the then  current estimated returns  on
the Trust and returns over specified periods on other similar Nuveen Trusts with
returns  on taxable investments such as corporate or U.S. Government bonds, bank
CD's and  money  market  accounts or  money  market  funds, each  of  which  has
investment  characteristics  that  may  differ from  those  of  the  Trust. U.S.
Government bonds, for example, are  backed by the full  faith and credit of  the
U.S. Government and bank CD's and money market accounts are insured by an agency
of  the federal government. Money market accounts and money market funds provide
stability of principal, but pay interest  at rates that vary with the  condition
of  the short-term debt market. The  investment characteristics of the Trust are
described more fully elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
   
NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS AT DATE OF DEPOSIT
DECEMBER 16, 1994
MARYLAND TRADITIONAL TRUST 302
(SERIES 774)
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          Ratings(3)           Trustee's
                                                                      Optional       ---------------------   Determination
 Aggregate        Name of Issuer and Title of Issue Represented      Redemption       Standard                of Offering
  Principal        by Sponsor's Contracts to Purchase Bonds(1)      Provisions(2)     & Poor's    Moody's      Price(4)
<C>          <C> <S>                                              <C>                <C>         <C>        <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$   500,000      Maryland Health and Higher Educational              2004 at 102        AAA         Aaa     $       470,000
                   Facilities Authority Revenue Bonds, Maryland
                   General Hospital Issue, Series 1994, 6.20%
                   Due 7/1/24. (MBIA Insured.)
    500,000      Maryland Health and Higher Educational              2003 at 102         A           A              377,170
                   Facilities Authority, Project and Refunding
                   Revenue Bonds, Peninsula Regional Medical
                   Center Issue, Series 1993, 5.00% Due 7/1/23.
                   (Original issue discount bonds delivered on
                   or about October 28, 1993 at a price of
                   93.41% of principal amount.)
    500,000      University of Maryland System, Auxiliary            2003 at 102        AA+         Aa              443,725
                   Facility and Tuition Revenue Bonds, 1993
                   Series A, 5.50% Due 4/1/12.
    150,000     * Maryland Water Quality Financing                   2004 at 100         AA         Aa              148,880
                   Administration, Revolving Loan Fund Revenue
                   Bonds, Series 1994 A, 6.375% Due 9/1/10.
                   (When issued.)
    350,000      Carroll County, Maryland, General Obligation        2004 at 102        AA-         Aa              343,182
                   Bonds, County Commissioners of Carroll
                   County, Consolidated Public Improvement Bonds
                   of 1994, 6.50% Due 10/1/24.
    500,000      Morgan State University, Maryland, Academic      No Optional Call      AAA         Aaa             470,000
                   Fees and Auxiliary Facilities Fees, Revenue
                   Refunding Bonds, 1993 Series, 6.05% Due
                   7/1/15. (MBIA Insured.)
    500,000      Prince George's County, Maryland, Certificates      2004 at 102        AAA         Aaa             469,710
                   of Participation (Real Estate Acquisition
                   Program II), Series 1994, 6.00% Due 9/15/14.
                   (MBIA Insured.)
    500,000      Prince George's County, Maryland, Pollution         2003 at 102         A+         A1              480,000
                   Control Revenue Refunding Bonds (Potomac
                   Electric Project), 1993 Series, 6.375% Due
                   1/15/23.
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
$ 3,500,000                                                                                                 $     3,202,667
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
</TABLE>
 
See Notes to Schedules of Investments, page 35.
 
   
* These Bonds,  or a  portion thereof,  have delivery  dates beyond  the  normal
  settlement  date. Their expected delivery date  is January 11, 1995. Contracts
  relating to  Bonds  with delivery  dates  after  the date  of  settlement  for
  purchase  made  on the  Date  of Deposit  constitute  approximately 4%  of the
  aggregate principal amount of the Trust. (See Section 4.)
    
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
   
VIRGINIA TRADITIONAL TRUST 296
    
 
   
    The  Portfolio of Virginia  Traditional Trust 296  consists of 8 obligations
issued by entities located in Virginia. Eight Bonds in the Trust are payable  as
to principal and interest from the income of a specific project or authority and
are  not supported by the  issuer's power to levy  taxes. The sources of payment
for these  Bonds are  divided as  follows: College  and University  Revenue,  1;
Health  Care  Facility Revenue,  1; Multi-Family  Housing Revenue,  1; Municipal
Lease Revenue, 3; Water and/or Sewer Revenue, 2. Eight issues in the Trust  were
rated by Standard & Poor's Corporation as follows: 3--AAA, 1--AA+, 3-- AA, 1--A.
Seven  issues were rated by Moody's  Investors Service, Inc. as follows: 3--Aaa,
3--Aa, 1--Baa1.
    
 
   
    At the Date of Deposit,  the average maturity of  the Bonds in the  Virginia
Traditional Trust is 22.5 years. The average maturity of the Bonds in a Trust is
calculated based upon the stated maturities of the Bonds in such Trust (or, with
respect  to Bonds for  which funds or  securities have been  placed in escrow to
redeem such Bonds on a stated call date, based upon such call date). The average
maturity of the Bonds in a Trust may  increase or decrease from time to time  as
Bonds mature or are called or sold.
    
 
    Approximately  26% of  the aggregate  principal amount  of the  Bonds in the
Trust are obligations of issuers whose revenues are primarily derived from  sale
of  water  and/or sewerage  services. Insurance  guaranteeing prompt  payment of
interest and principal on certain of the Bonds in the Trust has been obtained by
the issuer or underwriter  of such Bonds from  a commercial insurer. Such  Bonds
are  rated "Aaa"  or "Aa"  by Moody's  or "AAA"  or "AA"  by Standard  & Poor's,
reflecting those rating agencies' current assessment of the creditworthiness  of
the  insurer and its ability to pay  claims on its policies of insurance. Eleven
percent of the aggregate  principal amount of the  Bonds, included in the  above
amount,  are obligations  of issuers whose  revenues are  primarily derived from
sale of water and/or sewerage services, but which are covered by such insurance.
 
    Approximately 39% of  the aggregate  principal amount  of the  Bonds in  the
Trust  are  obligations of  issuers whose  revenues  are primarily  derived from
municipal lease obligations. Insurance  guaranteeing prompt payment of  interest
and  principal on  certain of the  Bonds in the  Trust has been  obtained by the
issuer or underwriter of  such Bonds from a  commercial insurer. Such Bonds  are
rated "Aaa" or "Aa" by Moody's or "AAA" or "AA" by Standard & Poor's, reflecting
those rating agencies' current assessment of the creditworthiness of the insurer
and  its ability to pay claims on its policies of insurance. Fourteen percent of
the aggregate principal amount of the  Bonds, included in the above amount,  are
obligations of issuers whose revenues are primarily derived from municipal lease
obligations, but which are covered by such insurance.
 
    For  a discussion of the  risks associated with investments  in the bonds of
various issuers, see "General Trust Information" in this section.
 
   
    The Sponsor entered into contracts to acquire the Bonds between December 14,
1994 and December 15, 1994.  The following summarizes certain information  about
the Bonds as of the business day prior to the Date of Deposit:
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TRUSTEE'S
                                                               DETERMINATION OF OFFERING PRICE AND
   COST TO    PROFIT (OR LOSS)   ANNUAL INTEREST   BID PRICE              THE BID PRICE
   SPONSOR       TO SPONSOR      INCOME TO TRUST    OF BONDS       (AS % OF PRINCIPAL AMOUNT)
  ----------  -----------------  ----------------  ----------  -----------------------------------
  <S>         <C>                <C>               <C>         <C>
  $3,297,445       $13,167           $220,750      $3,293,737                 .48%
</TABLE>
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
    Neither   cost  to  Sponsor  nor  profit   (or  loss)  to  Sponsor  reflects
underwriting profits or losses received or  incurred by the Sponsor through  its
participation   in  underwriting  syndicates.  An  underwriter  or  underwriting
syndicate purchases bonds  from the issuer  on a negotiated  or competitive  bid
basis  as principal with  the motive of  marketing such bonds  to investors at a
profit. The Sponsor did not participate as  either the sole underwriter or as  a
manager  or member of a syndicate that  acted as the original underwriter of any
of the Bonds.
 
   
    Unitholders may  elect to  have interest  distributions made  on a  monthly,
quarterly or semi-annual basis. The interest on the Bonds initially deposited in
the  Virginia Traditional Trust, less estimated expenses, is estimated to accrue
at the  rate  of  $.01697  per  Unit per  day  under  the  semi-annual  plan  of
distribution,  $.01692 per Unit per day under the quarterly plan of distribution
and $.01683 per  Unit per  day under  the monthly  plan of  distribution. It  is
anticipated  that the amount of interest to be distributed per Unit in each year
under each plan  of distribution will  initially be substantially  equal to  the
Estimated Net Annual Interest Income per Unit for that plan.
    
 
    Details of interest distributions per Unit of the Virginia Traditional Trust
under  the various plans appear in the  following table based upon estimated Net
Annual Interest Income at the Date of Deposit:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                      NORMAL
                                                                                                  DISTRIBUTIONS
VIRGINIA TRADITIONAL TRUST                                        1995                               PER YEAR
<S>                                     <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>        <C>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------------
Record Date*..........................        2/1            5/1            8/1           11/1
Distribution Date.....................       2/15           5/15           8/15          11/15
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monthly Distribution Plan.............  $   .7573(1)                                              $  6.0598
                                                        --------  $.5049 every month  --------
Quarterly Distribution Plan...........  $   .7573(1)   $  1.5228(2)   $  1.5228      $  1.5228    $  6.0918
Semi-Annual Distribution Plan.........  $   .7573(1)   $  1.5273(3)                  $  3.0546    $  6.1108
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN>
 * Record Dates for semi-annual distributions are May 1 and November 1; for quarterly distributions, they are February 1, May  1,
   August 1 and November 1. Record Dates for monthly distributions are the first day of each month.
(1)  The first distribution will be paid to all Unitholders,  regardless of the distribution plan selected. Such distribution may
    be more or less than a regular monthly distribution.
(2) Regular 3-month distribution.
(3) The second distribution  under the semi-annual  distribution plan represents a  3-month distribution; subsequent  semi-annual
    distributions will be regular 6-month distributions.
</TABLE>
 
    The  accrual amounts set forth above, and  in turn the amount of interest to
be distributed annually per Unit, will  generally change as Bonds are  redeemed,
mature or are sold or as fees and expenses increase or decrease.
 
TAX STATUS--VIRGINIA TRADITIONAL TRUST
 
    For  a discussion  of the  Federal tax status  of income  earned on Virginia
Traditional Trust Units, see Section 11.
 
    The  assets   of   the   Virginia  Traditional   Trust   will   consist   of
interest-bearing  obligations  issued by  or on  behalf  of the  Commonwealth of
Virginia, its counties,  municipalities, authorities  or political  subdivisions
and,  provided the interest thereon is exempt  from Virginia income taxes by the
laws or treaties of  the United States,  by or on behalf  of the United  States'
territories  or possessions, including Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands and
the Northern Mariana Islands, and  their political subdivisions and  authorities
(the "Virginia Bonds").
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
    In the opinion of Christian, Barton, Epps, Brent & Chappell, special counsel
for the Series for Virginia tax matters, under existing law:
 
        The  Virginia Traditional Trust will be  treated as a trust for Virginia
    income tax purposes and not as an association taxable as a corporation. As a
    result, income of  the Virginia  Traditional Trust  will be  treated as  the
    income of the Unitholders.
 
        The  calculation of Virginia taxable income begins with Federal adjusted
    gross income in the case of an  individual or Federal taxable income in  the
    case of a corporation, estate or trust. Certain modifications are specified,
    but  no such modification  requires the addition  of interest on obligations
    such as the Virginia Bonds  in the Virginia Traditional Trust.  Accordingly,
    amounts  representing tax-exempt  interest for  Federal income  tax purposes
    received or accrued by  the Virginia Traditional Trust  with respect to  the
    Virginia  Bonds, will not be  taxed to the Virginia  Traditional Trust or to
    the Unitholders for Virginia income tax purposes.
 
        In this  respect, to  the extent  that interest  on obligations  of  the
    Commonwealth  or  any political  subdivision  or instrumentality  thereof is
    included in federal adjusted  gross income, Virginia  law provides that  the
    income  shall  be  subtracted in  arriving  at Virginia  taxable  income. In
    addition, Virginia  income  tax  exemption  is  independently  provided  for
    interest  on  certain  obligations,  including  those  issued  by industrial
    development  authorities  created  pursuant   to  the  Virginia   Industrial
    Development  and  Revenue  Bond  Act, by  the  Virginia  Housing Development
    Authority, by the Virginia Resources Authority and by the Virginia Education
    Loan Authority. Where such an independent exemption is provided, interest on
    such obligations is exempt from  Virginia income taxation without regard  to
    any  exemption from  Federal income taxes,  including interest  which may be
    subject to Federal income tax  in the hands of a  recipient who is, or is  a
    related  person  to,  a substantial  user  of facilities  financed  with the
    proceeds of obligations upon which such interest is paid.
 
        As a general rule, to the extent  that gain (whether as a result of  the
    sale  of Virginia Bonds by the Virginia  Traditional Trust or as a result of
    the sale of a Unit by the Unitholder) is subject to Federal income taxation,
    such gain  will be  included in  the Unitholder's  Virginia taxable  income.
    Under  the language  of certain enabling  legislation, however,  such as the
    Virginia Industrial Development and Revenue Bond Act, the Virginia Resources
    Authority Act and  the Virginia  Housing Development  Authority Act,  profit
    made  on the sale of obligations issued by authorities created thereunder is
    expressly exempt from  Virginia income taxation.  Such enabling  legislation
    does  not appear  to require a  disallowance in the  calculation of Virginia
    taxes of any  loss that may  be deductible for  Federal income tax  purposes
    with  respect  to  such  obligations, although  the  Virginia  Department of
    Taxation has taken a contrary view.
 
        No  income  tax  is  imposed   by  any  political  subdivision  of   the
    Commonwealth  of Virginia.  The Commonwealth of  Virginia does  not impose a
    gift tax. The Virginia estate  tax is equal to  the maximum state death  tax
    credit allowable against the Federal estate tax payable by the estate.
 
ECONOMIC FACTORS--VIRGINIA
 
    The  Trust  is  susceptible  to political,  economic  or  regulatory factors
affecting issuers  of Virginia  Bonds.  Without intending  to be  complete,  the
following  briefly summarizes  some of  these matters,  as well  as some  of the
complex factors affecting the financial situation in the
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
Commonwealth of Virginia (the "Commonwealth" or "Virginia"). This information is
derived from sources that are generally  available to investors and is based  in
part  on information obtained from various  agencies in Virginia. No independent
verification has been  made of  the accuracy  or completeness  of the  following
information.
 
    There  can  be no  assurance that  current or  future statewide  or regional
economic difficulties, and the resulting  impact on State or local  governmental
finances  generally will not adversely affect the market value of Virginia Bonds
held in the portfolio of the Trust or the ability of particular obligors to make
timely payments of debt service on (or relating to) those obligations.
 
    The  Commonwealth's  financial  condition  is  supported  by  a  broad-based
economy,  including  manufacturing,  tourism,  agriculture,  ports,  mining  and
fisheries. Manufacturing continues to be  a major source of employment,  ranking
behind only services, wholesale and retail trade, and government (federal, state
and  local). The federal government  is a major employer  in Virginia due to the
heavy concentration of federal employees  in the metropolitan Washington,  D.C.,
segment  of Northern Virginia  and the military employment  in the Hampton Roads
area, which houses the nation's largest concentration of military installations.
However, the expected retrenchment  of the military sector  as a consequence  of
the end of the Cold War remains a cloud on the economic horizon and cutbacks can
be expected to occur.
 
    Although  the Commonwealth enjoyed  an economic boom  in the mid-1980's, the
Commonwealth's economy began to slow toward the end of the decade, and went into
a recession with the rest of the  nation after July, 1990. Growth since the  end
of the recession in March, 1991, has been weak.
 
    The  impact  of  national trends  on  the  Commonwealth is  clearly  seen in
personal  income  figures.   While  year-to-year  percentage   changes  in   the
Commonwealth   personal  income  parallel  those  at  the  national  level,  the
Commonwealth figures  were higher  during  the first  half  of the  1980's.  The
differential  has  narrowed since  1988  and testifies  to  the lethargy  of the
Commonwealth's economy.  From a  peak  of 107  percent  of national  per  capita
income,  the Commonwealth has  experienced a relative decline  to 104 percent in
1992. Compared to the South Atlantic region, the Commonwealth's real per  capita
income  has declined slightly from a peak of  109 percent in 1987 to 108 percent
in 1992.
 
    After real  personal  income  in  the  Commonwealth  had  fallen  for  seven
consecutive  quarters ending with  the last quarter of  1991, it rose throughout
1992.  Personal  income  declined  in  the  first  quarter  of  1993,   although
forthcoming  data revisions are  likely to show  much milder decreases. Overall,
the data suggest a fitful recovery continues.
 
    Virginia's nonagricultural  employment  figures  also  mirror  the  national
economy.  During the  period 1983-1990, the  Commonwealth substantially outpaced
the nation in  growth of  nonagricultural employment, with  4.1 percent  average
annual  growth compared to  2.8 percent nationally; however,  the trend line for
both has been flat since 1990.  For the period 1985-1990, the Commonwealth  went
ahead  of the South Atlantic region, but  was hit harder during the recession in
1990. Since then, the region has outperformed the Commonwealth.
 
    With respect to unemployment, Virginia's unemployment rate has  consistently
been  below that of the nation. For the decade of 1980 to 1990, the differential
has been two percentage  points, although it decreased  to below one  percentage
point  in  1991 and  1992. For  the last  month of  FY 1993,  the Commonwealth's
unemployment rate was 5.3 percent, compared to the national rate of 7.1 percent.
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
    Employment trends in  Virginia are  varied from  sector to  sector and  from
region to region. For example, an overall increase of 0.8 percent in FY 1993 was
driven  by modest increases in government and service sectors, whereas wholesale
and retail  trade  employment  was  flat.  Employment  dropped  in  six  of  ten
categories,  with mining experiencing the greatest  percent loss at 3.6 percent.
The service  sector is  now the  largest employer  in Virginia  and mininig  and
manufacturing  are now at lower  levels than in 1980.  All of the Commonwealth's
MSAs showed  increased employment  from FY  1992 to  FY 1993,  ranging from  0.5
percent  to 1.8  percent, with  most employment  increases being  experienced in
metropolitan areas.
 
    Highest rates of unemployment are  concentrated in southwest Virginia  where
mining  jobs  have been  lost  and the  lowest  unemployment rates  are  seen in
Northern Virginia where much  federally-related employment is concentrated.  Not
suprisingly,  there is  great overlap between  areas of  lowest unemployment and
those of highest per capita income.
 
    The Commonwealth's recovery has  been hurt by the  defense cutbacks, but  so
far  the  employment and  output reductions  in the  Commonwealth have  not been
severe. Further cuts are anticipated in 1995. Base closing actions in 1993  will
result  in a statewide net loss of  7,800 defense related jobs, with the largest
impact being  experienced  in Northern  Virginia.  The national  recession,  the
overheated construction market in Northern Virginia and the restructuring of the
banking  industry have also contributed to the Commonwealth's problems. Even the
Commonwealth's export  sector,  whose  conspicuous growth  had  been  promising,
reflected  disappointing results in 1992, with a  loss of 2.6 percent in current
dollars, although the Commonwealth's exports have expanded rapidly to most areas
of the world over the past five years, averaging 11.3 percent annually.
 
    The  evidence  of  a  slow  economic  recovery,  coupled  with  major  plant
downsizings  as  well  as military  base  closures,  with more  likely  in 1995,
portends slow growth in the near  term. Additional defense cutbacks in the  next
three  years may be  very difficult if  the recovery has  not gained momentum by
then.
 
    The Commonwealth  of  Virginia  has  historically  operated  on  a  fiscally
conservative  basis  and is  required  by its  Constitution  to have  a balanced
biennial budget. At the end of the June 30, 1993, fiscal year, the General  Fund
had an ending fund balance computed on a budgetary cash basis of $331.8 million,
of  which  $942,000  was  in  required  reserves.  $271.2  million  thereof  was
designated for expenditure during the next fiscal year, leaving an undesignated,
unreserved  fund  balance  of  $59.7   million,  the  second  consecutive   such
undesignated  fund balance since  1988. Computed on a  modified accrual basis in
accordance with  generally  accepted  accounting principles,  the  General  Fund
balance  at the end of  the fiscal year ended June  30, 1993, was $78.8 million,
compared with a General Fund balance of  minus $121.8 million at the end of  the
fiscal  year ended  June 30, 1992.  This is the  first year since  1989 that the
General Fund, measured on  a modified accrual basis,  has shown a positive  fund
balance.
 
    As  of  June  30, 1993,  total  debt  for the  Commonwealth  aggregated $7.5
billion. Of  that  amount, $2  billion  was tax-supported.  Outstanding  general
obligation debt backed by the full faith and credit of the Commonwealth was $817
million  at June  30, 1993.  Of that  amount, $511  million was  also secured by
revenue producing capital projects.
 
    The  Virginia  Constitution  contains  limits  on  the  amount  of   general
obligation   bonds  which   the  Commonwealth   can  issue.   These  limits  are
substantially in excess of current levels of outstanding bonds, and at June  30,
1993 would permit an additional total of
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
approximately  $5.3 billion of  bonds secured by  revenue-producing projects and
approximately $5.50 billion  of unsecured general  obligation bonds for  capital
projects,  with not more  than approximately $1.46  billion of the  latter to be
issued in any four-year period. Bonds which are not secured by revenue-producing
projects must be approved in a State-wide election.
 
    The Commonwealth of Virginia maintains ratings  of AAA by Standard &  Poor's
Corporation  and  Aaa by  Moody's Investors  Service  on its  general obligation
indebtedness, reflecting  in  part  its  sound  fiscal  management,  diversified
economic  base  and low  debt  ratios. There  can  be no  assurances  that these
conditions will continue. Nor are  these same conditions necessarily  applicable
to  securities which are not general obligations of the Commonwealth. Securities
issued by specific municipalities,  governmental authorities or similar  issuers
may  be subject to  economic risks or  uncertainties peculiar to  the issuers of
such securities or the sources from which they are to be paid.
 
VIRGINIA TAXABLE ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN TABLE
 
    The following tables show the approximate taxable estimated current  returns
for  individuals  that are  equivalent to  tax-exempt estimated  current returns
under combined Federal and  state taxes, using  published 1994 marginal  Federal
tax  rates and marginal state tax rates  currently available and scheduled to be
in  effect.  The  tables  incorporate  increased  tax  rates  for  higher-income
taxpayers  that were  included in  the Revenue  Reconciliation Act  of 1993. For
cases in which more than one state  bracket falls within a Federal bracket,  the
highest  state bracket is combined with  the Federal bracket. The combined state
and Federal tax  brackets shown  reflect the fact  that state  tax payments  are
currently  deductible for Federal  tax purposes. The  tables illustrate what you
would have to  earn on  taxable investments  to equal  the tax-exempt  estimated
current  return for your income  tax bracket. A taxpayer's  marginal tax rate is
affected by both his taxable income  and his adjusted gross income. Locate  your
adjusted  gross and  your taxable  income (which  is your  adjusted gross income
reduced by any deductions and exemptions), then locate your tax bracket based on
joint or single  tax filing.  Read across  to the  equivalent taxable  estimated
current return you would need to match the tax-free income.
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
 COMBINED MARGINAL TAX RATES FOR JOINT TAXPAYERS WITH FOUR PERSONAL EXEMPTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  FEDERAL
    FEDERAL      ADJUSTED      COMBINED
    TAXABLE        GROSS       STATE AND                   TAX-EXEMPT ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN
    INCOME        INCOME        FEDERAL       --------------------------------------------------------------
   (1,000'S)     (1,000'S)     TAX RATE1      5.00%   5.25%   5.50%   5.75%   6.00%   6.25%   6.50%   6.75%
 ------------- -------------  -----------     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 <S>           <C>            <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 $     0- 38.0 $     0-111.8      20.0   %     6.25    6.56    6.88    7.19    7.50    7.81    8.13    8.44
    38.0- 91.9       0-111.8      32.0         7.35    7.72    8.09    8.46    8.82    9.19    9.56    9.93
                 111.8-167.7      33.0         7.46    7.84    8.21    8.58    8.96    9.33    9.70   10.07
    91.9-140.0       0-111.8      35.0         7.69    8.08    8.46    8.85    9.23    9.62   10.00   10.38
                 111.8-167.7      36.0         7.81    8.20    8.59    8.98    9.38    9.77   10.16   10.55
                 167.7-290.2      38.0         8.06    8.47    8.87    9.27    9.68   10.08   10.48   10.89
   140.0-250.0   111.8-167.7      40.5         8.40    8.82    9.24    9.66   10.08   10.50   10.92   11.34
                 167.7-290.2      43.5         8.85    9.29    9.73   10.18   10.62   11.06   11.50   11.95
                  Over 290.2      40.5   2     8.40    8.82    9.24    9.66   10.08   10.50   10.92   11.34
    Over 250.0   167.7-290.2      47.0         9.43    9.91   10.38   10.85   11.32   11.79   12.26   12.74
                  Over 290.2      44.0   3     8.93    9.38    9.82   10.27   10.71   11.16   11.61   12.05
</TABLE>
 
  COMBINED MARGINAL TAX RATES FOR SINGLE TAXPAYERS WITH ONE PERSONAL EXEMPTION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  FEDERAL
    FEDERAL      ADJUSTED      COMBINED
    TAXABLE        GROSS       STATE AND                   TAX-EXEMPT ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN
    INCOME        INCOME        FEDERAL       --------------------------------------------------------------
   (1,000'S)     (1,000'S)     TAX RATE1      5.00%   5.25%   5.50%   5.75%   6.00%   6.25%   6.50%   6.75%
 ------------- -------------  -----------     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 <S>           <C>            <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 $     0- 22.8 $     0-111.8      20.0         6.25    6.56    6.88    7.19    7.50    7.81    8.13    8.44
    22.8- 55.1       0-111.8      32.0         7.35    7.72    8.09    8.46    8.82    9.19    9.56    9.93
    55.1-115.0       0-111.8      35.0         7.69    8.08    8.46    8.85    9.23    9.62   10.00   10.38
                 111.8-234.3      36.5         7.87    8.27    8.66    9.06    9.45    9.84   10.24   10.63
   115.0-250.0   111.8-234.3      41.5         8.55    8.97    9.40    9.83   10.26   10.68   11.11   11.54
                  Over 234.3      40.5   2     8.40    8.82    9.24    9.66   10.08   10.50   10.92   11.34
    Over 250.0    Over 234.3      44.0   3     8.93    9.38    9.82   10.27   10.71   11.16   11.61   12.05
<FN>
- ------------------
      1  The table reflects the effect of the limitations on  itemized deductions and the deduction for personal exemptions. They
were designed to phase out certain benefits of these deductions for higher income taxpayers. These limitations, in effect,  raise
the  current maximum marginal Federal tax rate to approximately 44.0  percent for taxpayers filing a joint return and entitled to
four personal exemptions and to  approximately 41.0 percent for  taxpayers filing a single return  entitled to only one  personal
exemption.  These limitations are  subject to certain maximums,  which depend on  the number of exemptions  claimed and the total
amount of the taxpayer's itemized  deductions. For example, the  limitation on itemized deductions will  not cause a taxpayer  to
lose more than 80% of his allowable itemized deductions, with certain exceptions.
      2 Federal tax rate reverts to 36.0% after the 80% cap on the limitation on itemized deductions has been met.
      3 Federal tax rate reverts to 39.6% after the 80% cap on the limitation on itemized deductions has been met.
</TABLE>
 
    A  comparison of tax-free  and equivalent taxable  estimated current returns
with the returns on  various taxable investments is  one element to consider  in
making  an  investment  decision. The  Sponsor  may  from time  to  time  in its
advertising and sales materials  compare the then  current estimated returns  on
the Trust and returns over specified periods on other similar Nuveen Trusts with
returns  on taxable investments such as corporate or U.S. Government bonds, bank
CD's and  money  market  accounts or  money  market  funds, each  of  which  has
investment  characteristics  that  may  differ from  those  of  the  Trust. U.S.
Government bonds, for example, are  backed by the full  faith and credit of  the
U.S. Government and bank CD's and money market accounts are insured by an agency
of  the federal government. Money market accounts and money market funds provide
stability of principal, but pay interest  at rates that vary with the  condition
of  the short-term debt market. The  investment characteristics of the Trust are
described more fully elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
                                       29
<PAGE>
   
NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS AT DATE OF DEPOSIT
DECEMBER 16, 1994
VIRGINIA TRADITIONAL TRUST 296
(SERIES 774)
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          Ratings(3)           Trustee's
                                                                      Optional       ---------------------   Determination
 Aggregate        Name of Issuer and Title of Issue Represented      Redemption       Standard                of Offering
  Principal        by Sponsor's Contracts to Purchase Bonds(1)      Provisions(2)     & Poor's    Moody's      Price(4)
<C>          <C> <S>                                              <C>                <C>         <C>        <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$   500,000      Virginia Housing Development Authority,             2003 at 102        AA+         Aa      $       441,195
                   Multi-Family Housing Bonds, 1993 Series E,
                   5.70% Due 11/1/12.
    350,000      Virginia Public Building Authority, State           2004 at 101         AA         Aa              338,177
                   Building Revenue Bonds, Series 1994 A, 6.25%
                   Due 8/1/15.
    250,000      Industrial Development Authority of Augusta         2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa             215,383
                   County, Virginia, Hospital Refunding Revenue
                   Bonds (Augusta Hospital Corporation), Series
                   1993, 5.50% Due 9/1/15. (AMBAC Insured.)
    500,000      Blacksburg-Virginia Polytechnic Institute           2004 at 102         A         Baa1             487,555
                   Sanitation Authority (Virginia), Sewer System
                   Revenue Bonds, Series of 1994, 6.60% Due
                   11/1/11.
    500,000      Industrial Development Authority of the County      2005 at 102         AA         Aa              515,000
                   of Henrico, Virginia, Public Facility Lease
                   Revenue Bonds (Henrico County Regional Jail
                   Project), Series 1994, 7.125% Due 8/1/21.
    400,000      Prince William County Service Authority             2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa             312,052
                   (Virginia), Water and Sewer System Refunding
                   Revenue Bonds, Series 1993, 5.00% Due 7/1/21.
                   (FGIC Insured.)
    500,000      Richmond (Virginia), Redevelopment and Housing      2005 at 102        AAA         Aaa             501,250
                   Authority, Project Revenue Bonds (1994 Old
                   Manchester Project), Series 1994, 6.80% Due
                   3/1/15. (When issued.) (CGIC Insured.)
    500,000      Industrial Development Authority of the City of     2004 at 102         AA         --              500,000
                   Winchester (Virginia), Educational Facilities
                   First Mortgage Revenue Bonds (Shenandoah
                   University Project), Series 1994, 6.80% Due
                   10/1/24. (ASSET GUARANTEED.)
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
$ 3,500,000                                                                                                 $     3,310,612
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
</TABLE>
 
See Notes to Schedules of Investments, page 35.
 
                                       30
<PAGE>
   
NATIONAL INSURED TRUST 286
    
   
    The  Portfolio  of  National Insured  Trust  286  consists of  10  long term
(approximately 15 to 40 year maturities) obligations issued by entities  located
in  8 states. One Bond in the Trust  is a general obligation of the governmental
entity issuing it and is backed by  the taxing power thereof. Nine Bonds in  the
Trust  are payable as  to principal and  interest from the  income of a specific
project or authority and are not supported by the issuer's power to levy  taxes.
The  sources of  payment for these  Bonds are divided  as follows: Dedicated-Tax
Supported Revenue,  1;  College and  University  Revenue, 2;  Electrical  System
Revenue,  3; Health Care Facility Revenue,  1; Municipal Lease Revenue, 1; Water
and/or Sewer Revenue, 1. All  of the Bonds in the  Trust, as insured, are  rated
AAA  by Standard & Poor's Corporation and Aaa by Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
Twenty percent of the principal amount of Bonds in the Trust consists of  issues
of entities located in the State of Illinois and twenty percent of the principal
amount of Bonds in the Trust consists of issues of entities located in the State
of  Texas; such  concentration may  involve more  risk than  if such  Bonds were
issued by issuers located in several states.
    
 
   
    At the Date of Deposit,  the average maturity of  the Bonds in the  National
Insured  Trust is 26.7  years. The average maturity  of the Bonds  in a Trust is
calculated based upon the stated maturities of the Bonds in such Trust (or, with
respect to Bonds for  which funds or  securities have been  placed in escrow  to
redeem such Bonds on a stated call date, based upon such call date). The average
maturity  of the Bonds in a Trust may  increase or decrease from time to time as
Bonds mature or are called or sold.
    
 
    Approximately 20% of  the aggregate  principal amount  of the  Bonds in  the
Trust  consists of obligations  of issuers whose  revenues are primarily derived
from  payments  to  colleges  and  universities,  including  tuition,  dormitory
revenues, grants and endorsements.
 
    Approximately  30% of  the aggregate  principal amount  of the  Bonds in the
Trust consists of obligations  of issuers whose  revenues are primarily  derived
from the sale of electric energy.
 
    For  a discussion of the  risks associated with investments  in the bonds of
various issuers, see "General Trust Information" in this section.
 
   
    The Sponsor entered  into contracts  to acquire  the Bonds  on December  15,
1994.  The following  summarizes certain information  about the Bonds  as of the
business day prior to the Date of Deposit:
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TRUSTEE'S
                                                               DETERMINATION OF OFFERING PRICE AND
   COST TO    PROFIT (OR LOSS)   ANNUAL INTEREST   BID PRICE              THE BID PRICE
   SPONSOR       TO SPONSOR      INCOME TO TRUST    OF BONDS       (AS % OF PRINCIPAL AMOUNT)
  ----------  -----------------  ----------------  ----------  -----------------------------------
  <S>         <C>                <C>               <C>         <C>
  $9,500,364       $28,476           $644,250      $9,480,715                 .48%
</TABLE>
 
   
    Neither  cost  to  Sponsor  nor   profit  (or  loss)  to  Sponsor   reflects
underwriting  profits or losses received or  incurred by the Sponsor through its
participation  in  underwriting  syndicates.  An  underwriter  or   underwriting
syndicate  purchases bonds  from the issuer  on a negotiated  or competitive bid
basis as principal with  the motive of  marketing such bonds  to investors at  a
profit. The Sponsor participated as either the sole underwriter or manager or as
a  member of the syndicates which were the original underwriters of 10.0% of the
aggregate principal amount of the Bonds.
    
 
   
    Unitholders may  elect to  have interest  distributions made  on a  monthly,
quarterly or semi-annual basis. The interest on the Bonds initially deposited in
the  National Insured Trust, less estimated  expenses, is estimated to accrue at
the rate of $.01737 per Unit per day under the semi-annual plan of distribution,
$.01732 per Unit per day under the
    
 
                                       31
<PAGE>
   
quarterly plan of distribution  and $.01723 per Unit  per day under the  monthly
plan  of  distribution. It  is anticipated  that  the amount  of interest  to be
distributed per Unit in each year under each plan of distribution will initially
be substantially equal to the Estimated Net Annual Interest Income per Unit  for
that plan.
    
 
    Details  of interest  distributions per Unit  of the  National Insured Trust
under the various plans appear in  the following table based upon estimated  Net
Annual Interest Income at the Date of Deposit:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                      NORMAL
                                                                                                  DISTRIBUTIONS
NATIONAL INSURED TRUST                                            1995                               PER YEAR
<S>                                     <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>        <C>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  --------------
Record Date*..........................        2/1            5/1            8/1           11/1
Distribution Date.....................       2/15           5/15           8/15          11/15
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monthly Distribution Plan.............  $   .7762(1)                                              $  6.2127
                                                        --------  $.5175 every month  --------
Quarterly Distribution Plan...........  $   .7762(1)   $  1.5606(2)   $  1.5606      $  1.5606    $  6.2447
Semi-Annual Distribution Plan.........  $   .7762(1)   $  1.5651(3)                  $  3.1302    $  6.2637
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN>
 *  Record Dates for semi-annual distributions are May 1 and November 1; for quarterly distributions, they are February 1, May 1,
   August 1 and November 1. Record Dates for monthly distributions are the first day of each month.
(1) The first distribution will be paid to all  Unitholders, regardless of the distribution plan selected. Such distribution  may
    be more or less than a regular monthly distribution.
(2) Regular 3-month distribution.
(3)  The second distribution  under the semi-annual distribution  plan represents a  3-month distribution; subsequent semi-annual
    distributions will be regular 6-month distributions.
</TABLE>
 
    The accrual amounts set forth above, and  in turn the amount of interest  to
be  distributed annually per Unit, will  generally change as Bonds are redeemed,
mature or are sold or as fees and expenses increase or decrease.
 
TAX STATUS--NATIONAL INSURED TRUST
 
    For a discussion  of the  tax status of  income earned  on National  Insured
Trust Units, see Section 11.
 
NATIONALLY DIVERSIFIED TRUST TAXABLE ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN TABLE
(NATIONAL TRADITIONAL TRUST)
 
    The  following tables show the approximate taxable estimated current returns
for individuals  that are  equivalent to  tax-exempt estimated  current  returns
under  published  1994  marginal  Federal  tax  rates.  The  tables  incorporate
increased tax  rates for  higher-income tax  payers that  were included  in  the
Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993. The tables illustrate what you would have to
earn on taxable investments to equal the tax-exempt estimated current return for
your  income tax bracket. A taxpayer's marginal tax rate is affected by both his
taxable income and his adjusted gross income. Locate your adjusted gross  income
and  your taxable  income (which  is your adjusted  gross income  reduced by any
deductions and  exemptions), then  locate your  tax bracket  based on  joint  or
single  tax  filing. Read  across to  the  equivalent taxable  estimated current
return you would need to match the tax-free income.
 
                                       32
<PAGE>
  MARGINAL FEDERAL TAX RATES FOR JOINT TAXPAYERS WITH FOUR PERSONAL EXEMPTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  FEDERAL
    FEDERAL      ADJUSTED
    TAXABLE        GROSS                                   TAX-EXEMPT ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN
    INCOME        INCOME        FEDERAL       --------------------------------------------------------------
   (1,000'S)     (1,000'S)     TAX RATE1      5.75%   6.00%   6.25%   6.50%   6.75%   7.00%   7.25%   7.50%
 ------------- -------------  -----------     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 <S>           <C>            <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 $     0- 38.0 $     0-111.8      15.0   %     6.76    7.06    7.35    7.65    7.94    8.24    8.53    8.82
    38.0- 91.9       0-111.8      28.0         7.99    8.33    8.68    9.03    9.38    9.72   10.07   10.42
                 111.8-167.7      29.0         8.10    8.45    8.80    9.15    9.51    9.86   10.21   10.56
    91.9-140.0       0-111.8      31.0         8.33    8.70    9.06    9.42    9.78   10.14   10.51   10.87
                 111.8-167.7      32.0         8.46    8.82    9.19    9.56    9.93   10.29   10.66   11.03
                 167.7-290.2      34.5         8.78    9.16    9.54    9.92   10.31   10.69   11.07   11.45
   140.0-250.0   111.8-167.7      37.0         9.13    9.52    9.92   10.32   10.71   11.11   11.51   11.90
                 167.7-290.2      40.0         9.58   10.00   10.42   10.83   11.25   11.67   12.08   12.50
                  Over 290.2      37.0   2     9.13    9.52    9.92   10.32   10.71   11.11   11.51   11.90
    Over 250.0   167.7-290.2      44.0        10.27   10.71   11.16   11.61   12.05   12.50   12.95   13.39
                  Over 290.2      41.0   3     9.75   10.17   10.59   11.02   11.44   11.86   12.29   12.71
</TABLE>
 
  MARGINAL FEDERAL TAX RATES FOR SINGLE TAXPAYERS WITH ONE PERSONAL EXEMPTION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  FEDERAL
    FEDERAL      ADJUSTED
    TAXABLE        GROSS                                   TAX-EXEMPT ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN
    INCOME        INCOME        FEDERAL       --------------------------------------------------------------
   (1,000'S)     (1,000'S)     TAX RATE1      5.75%   6.00%   6.25%   6.50%   6.75%   7.00%   7.25%   7.50%
 ------------- -------------  -----------     ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
 <S>           <C>            <C>             <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
 $     0- 22.8 $     0-111.8      15.0   %     6.76    7.06    7.35    7.65    7.94    8.24    8.53    8.82
    22.8- 55.1       0-111.8      28.0         7.99    8.33    8.68    9.03    9.38    9.72   10.07   10.42
    55.1-115.0       0-111.8      31.0         8.33    8.70    9.06    9.42    9.78   10.14   10.51   10.87
                 111.8-234.3      32.5         8.52    8.89    9.26    9.63   10.00   10.37   10.74   11.11
   115.0-250.0   111.8-234.3      38.0         9.27    9.68   10.08   10.48   10.89   11.29   11.69   12.10
                  Over 234.3      37.0   2     9.13    9.52    9.92   10.32   10.71   11.11   11.51   11.90
    Over 250.0    Over 234.3      41.0   3     9.75   10.17   10.59   11.02   11.44   11.86   12.29   12.71
<FN>
- ------------------
      1 The table reflects the effect of the limitations  on itemized deductions and the deduction for personal exemptions.  They
were  designed to phase out certain benefits of these deductions for higher income taxpayers. These limitations, in effect, raise
the current maximum marginal Federal tax rate to approximately 44.0  percent for taxpayers filing a joint return and entitled  to
four  personal exemptions and to  approximately 41.0 percent for taxpayers  filing a single return  entitled to only one personal
exemption. These limitations are  subject to certain maximums,  which depend on  the number of exemptions  claimed and the  total
amount  of the taxpayer's itemized  deductions. For example, the limitation  on itemized deductions will  not cause a taxpayer to
lose more than 80% of his allowable itemized deductions, with certain exceptions.
      2 Federal tax rate reverts to 36.0% after the 80% cap on the limitation on itemized deductions has been met.
      3 Federal tax rate reverts to 39.6% after the 80% cap on the limitation on itemized deductions has been met.
</TABLE>
 
    A comparison of  tax-free and equivalent  taxable estimated current  returns
with  the returns on various  taxable investments is one  element to consider in
making an  investment  decision.  The Sponsor  may  from  time to  time  in  its
advertising  and sales materials  compare the then  current estimated returns on
the Trust and returns over specified periods on other similar Nuveen Trusts with
returns on taxable investments such as corporate or U.S. Government bonds,  bank
CD's  and  money  market accounts  or  money  market funds,  each  of  which has
investment characteristics  that  may  differ  from those  of  the  Trust.  U.S.
Government  bonds, for example, are  backed by the full  faith and credit of the
U.S. Government and bank CD's and money market accounts are insured by an agency
of the federal government. Money market accounts and money market funds  provide
stability  of principal, but pay interest at  rates that vary with the condition
of the short-term debt market. The  investment characteristics of the Trust  are
described more fully elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
                                       33
<PAGE>
   
NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS AT DATE OF DEPOSIT
DECEMBER 16, 1994
NATIONAL INSURED TRUST 286
(SERIES 774)
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          Ratings(3)           Trustee's
                                                                      Optional       ---------------------   Determination
 Aggregate        Name of Issuer and Title of Issue Represented      Redemption       Standard                of Offering
  Principal        by Sponsor's Contracts to Purchase Bonds(1)      Provisions(2)     & Poor's    Moody's      Price(4)
<C>          <C> <S>                                              <C>                <C>         <C>        <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 1,500,000      State Public Works Board of the State of            2004 at 102        AAA         Aaa     $     1,508,895
                   California, Lease Revenue Bonds (Department
                   of Corrections), 1994 Series A (California
                   State Prison-Monterey County (Soledad II)),
                   6.875% Due 11/1/14.
  1,000,000      Board of Governors of State Colleges and            2004 at 102        AAA         Aaa             952,420
                   Universities (Illinois), Eastern Illinois
                   University, Auxiliary Facilities System
                   Revenue Bonds, Series 1994A, 6.375% Due
                   4/1/16.
  1,000,000      Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority          2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa             954,620
                   (Illinois), McCormick Place Expansion Project
                   Bonds, Series 1992A, 6.50% Due 6/15/27.
  1,000,000     * Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government          2004 at 102        AAA         Aaa           1,002,500
                   (Kentucky), Governmental Project Revenue
                   Bonds, Series 1994 (University of Kentucky
                   Alumni Association, Inc. Commonwealth Library
                   Project), 6.75% Due 11/1/24. (When issued.)
  1,000,000      Independent School District 622 (North St.          2005 at 100        AAA         Aaa           1,036,390
                   Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale), Minnesota, General
                   Obligation School Building Bonds, Series
                   1994A, 7.10% Due 2/1/19.
  1,000,000      The Pollution Control Financing Authority of        2004 at 102        AAA         Aaa             926,140
                   Salem County (New Jersey), Pollution Control
                   Revenue Refunding Bonds, 1994 Series B
                   (Public Service Electric and Gas Company
                   Project), 6.25% Due 6/1/31.
    500,000      New York City (New York), Municipal Water           2004 at 101        AAA         Aaa             418,175
                   Finance Authority, Water and Sewer System
                   Revenue Bonds, Fixed Rate Fiscal 1994 Series
                   B, 5.375% Due 6/15/19.
  1,000,000      Bexar County (Texas), Health Facilities             2004 at 102        AAA         Aaa             982,210
                   Development Corporation, Hospital Revenue
                   Bonds (Baptist Memorial Hospital System
                   Project), Series 1994, 6.75% Due 8/15/19.
                   (When issued.)
  1,000,000      Matagorda County Navigation District Number One     2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa             888,830
                   (Texas), Pollution Control Revenue Refunding
                   Bonds (Central Power and Light Company
                   Project), Series 1993, 6.00% Due 7/1/28.
  1,000,000      Washington Public Power Supply System, Nuclear      2003 at 102        AAA         Aaa             858,660
                   Project No. 1 Refunding Revenue Bonds, Series
                   1993A, 5.70% Due 7/1/17.
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
$10,000,000                                                                                                 $     9,528,840
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
- -----------                                                                                                 ---------------
</TABLE>
 
See Notes to Schedules of Investments, page 35.
 
   
* These  Bonds,  or a  portion thereof,  have delivery  dates beyond  the normal
  settlement date. Their expected delivery date is December 28, 1994.  Contracts
  relating  to  Bonds  with delivery  dates  after  the date  of  settlement for
  purchase made  on the  Date of  Deposit constitute  approximately 10%  of  the
  aggregate principal amount of the Trust. (See Section 4.)
    
 
                                       34
<PAGE>
NOTES TO SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS
 
    (1) Contracts,  which  are  "when-issued"  or  "regular  way"  contracts  or
        contracts having delivery dates beyond the normal settlement date,  have
        been  deposited with the Trustee on the Date of Deposit. The performance
        of such contracts is secured by an irrevocable letter of credit,  issued
        by  a major commercial bank, which  has been deposited with the Trustee.
        At the Date  of Deposit, Bonds  may have been  delivered to the  Sponsor
        pursuant  to certain of these contracts; the Sponsor has assigned to the
        Trustee all of its right, title and interest in and to such Bonds.
 
    (2) The Bonds are first subject to optional redemption in the years, and  at
        the  prices, shown.  Unless otherwise  indicated, the  Bonds, except for
        Bonds issued at a substantial original issue discount, are redeemable at
        declining prices (but not below par value) in subsequent years. Original
        issue  discount  bonds,  including  zero  coupon  bonds,  are  generally
        redeemable  at  prices  based on  the  issue  price plus  the  amount of
        original issue discount accreted to redemption plus, if applicable, some
        premium, the amount of which will decline in subsequent years. The Bonds
        may also be subject to sinking fund redemption without premium prior  to
        the dates shown.
 
        Certain  Bonds may be subject to redemption without premium prior to the
        date shown  pursuant  to  special  or  mandatory  call  provisions;  for
        example,  if bond proceeds are not able  to be used as contemplated, the
        project is condemned or sold, or the project is destroyed and  insurance
        proceeds  are used to  redeem the bonds.  Single family mortgage revenue
        bonds and housing authority bonds are  most likely to be called  subject
        to  such provisions, but other bonds may have similar call features. See
        Section 4 and "General Trust Information" in this Section.
 
        The Trustee's determination of the offering prices of Bonds in the  Fund
        may  be  greater or  less than  the  amounts that  may be  received upon
        redemption or  maturity  of  such Bonds.  Subject  to  rules  concerning
        amortization  of bond  premium and of  original issue  discount, gain or
        loss realized  by  the Trustee  on  disposition  of any  Bonds  will  be
        recognized  as taxable capital gain or loss by Unitholders. (See Section
        4.)
 
    (3) See "Description  of  Ratings" herein.  All  the Bonds  in  the  Insured
        Trusts,  as insured by the  Insurer, are rated AAA  by Standard & Poor's
        Corporation and Aaa by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. (See Section 5.)
 
    (4) As determined by Kenny S&P Evaluation Services on behalf of the  Trustee
        as  of the close of  business on the business  day preceding the Date of
        Deposit. The prices as determined by Kenny S&P Evaluation Services  have
        been rounded to the nearest dollar.
 
                                       35
<PAGE>
                    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
   
     TO  THE  BOARD OF  DIRECTORS  OF JOHN  NUVEEN  & CO.  INCORPORATED AND
     UNITHOLDERS OF NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST, SERIES 774:
    
 
   
       We have audited  the accompanying  statements of  condition and  the
     related  schedules of investments at date  of deposit (included in the
     prospectus  herein)  of  Nuveen  Tax-Exempt  Unit  Trust,  Series  774
     (comprising  Connecticut Traditional  Trust 270,  Maryland Traditional
     Trust 302, Virginia Traditional Trust  296 and National Insured  Trust
     286),  as of  December 16,  1994. These  financial statements  are the
     responsibility of the  Sponsor. Our  responsibility is  to express  an
     opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
    
 
       We  conducted  our  audits  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 statements  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  audits  provide   a
     reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
   
       In  our  opinion,  the  statements  of  condition  and  the  related
     schedules of investments at date of deposit referred to above  present
     fairly,  in all material  respects, the financial  position of each of
     the trusts constituting the Nuveen  Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series  774
     as  of  December  16,  1994,  in  conformity  with  generally accepted
     accounting principles.
    
 
                                                        ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 
   
     Chicago, Illinois,
     December 16, 1994.
    
 
                                       36
<PAGE>
                            Statements of Condition
   
                    NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST, SERIES 774
    
   
  (Connecticut Traditional Trust 270, Maryland Traditional Trust 302, Virginia
             Traditional Trust 296 and National Insured Trust 286)
    
   
                            AS OF DECEMBER 16, 1994
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            CONNECTICUT          MARYLAND            VIRGINIA            NATIONAL
                                            TRADITIONAL         TRADITIONAL         TRADITIONAL           INSURED
    TRUST PROPERTY                           TRUST 270           TRUST 302           TRUST 296           TRUST 286
<S>                                       <C>                 <C>                 <C>                 <C>
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
Sponsor's contracts to purchase Tax-
 Exempt Bonds, backed by an irrevocable
 letter of credit(1)(2).................  $     3,304,360     $     3,202,667     $     3,310,612     $     9,528,840
Accrued interest to December 16, 1994 on
  underlying Bonds(1)...................           49,406              77,230              38,991              96,865
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
            Total.......................  $     3,353,766     $     3,279,897     $     3,349,603     $     9,625,705
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
   LIABILITY AND INTEREST OF UNITHOLDERS
LIABILITY:
    Accrued interest to December 16,
      1994 on underlying Bonds(3).......  $        49,406     $        77,230     $        38,991     $        96,865
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
INTEREST OF UNITHOLDERS:
    Units of fractional undivided
      interest outstanding (Connecticut
      Traditional Trust 270--35,000;
      Maryland Traditional Trust 302--
      35,000; Virginia Traditional Trust
      296--35,000; National Insured
      Trust 286--100,000)
      Cost to investors(4)..............  $     3,474,601     $     3,367,668     $     3,481,175     $    10,019,766
        Less: Gross underwriting
          commission(5).................         (170,241)           (165,001)           (170,563)           (490,926)
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
    Net amount applicable to
      investors.........................  $     3,304,360     $     3,202,667     $     3,310,612     $     9,528,840
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
            Total.......................  $     3,353,766     $     3,279,897     $     3,349,603     $     9,625,705
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
                                          ---------------     ---------------     ---------------     ---------------
<FN>
(1) Represented by contracts  to purchase Tax-Exempt  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.
    The amount of such letter of credit  and any cash deposited exceeds the amount  necessary for the purchase of the Bonds  plus
    accrued  interest to the Date of  Deposit. At the Date of  Deposit, Bonds may have been  delivered to the Sponsor pursuant to
    certain of these contracts; the  Sponsor has assigned to  the Trustee all of  its rights, title and  interest in and to  such
    Bonds.
(2)  Aggregate value (at offering prices) as of the Date of  Deposit of the Bonds listed under "Schedules of Investments" herein,
    and their aggregate cost to the Trusts are the same. Such offering prices were determined by Kenny S&P Evaluation Services as
    of the close of business on the business day prior to the Date of Deposit. (See Section 10.) Insurance coverage providing for
    the timely payment, when due, of all principal  of and interest on the Bonds in  the Insured Trusts has been obtained by  the
    Sponsor  or by the issuers of such Bonds. Such insurance does not guarantee the market value of the Bonds or the value of the
    Units. Both the bid and the offering prices of the underlying  Bonds and of the Units may include value attributable to  such
    policies of insurance.
(3) Representing, as set forth in Section 8, advancement by the Trustee of an amount equal to the accrued Bond interest as of the
    Date of Deposit from the later of the last payment date on the Bonds or the date of issuance thereof.
(4) Aggregate Public Offering Price (exclusive of accrued interest) computed as set forth under Section 6.
(5) The gross underwriting commission has been calculated on the assumption that the Units offered by this prospectus are sold in
    single transactions involving less than $50,000 or 500 Units. At this level, the sales charge is 4.90% of the Public Offering
    Price  in the case of National and State Trusts, 4.25% thereof in  the case of Long Intermediate Trusts, 3.90% in the case of
    Intermediate Trusts, 3.00% in the  case of Short Intermediate Trusts  and 2.50% in the case  of Short Term Trusts. In  single
    transactions involving 500 Units or more, the sales charge is reduced. (See Section 6.)
</TABLE>
 
                                       37
<PAGE>
GENERAL TRUST INFORMATION
 
    RISK FACTORS.
 
    An  investment in Units of any Trust should be made with an understanding of
the risks that such an investment may  entail. These include the ability of  the
issuer,  or,  if  applicable,  an  insurer, to  make  payments  of  interest and
principal when due, the  effects of changes in  interest rates generally,  early
call provisions and the potential for changes in the tax status of the Bonds. As
set  forth  in the  portfolio  summaries above,  the  Trusts may  contain  or be
concentrated in one or more of the types of bonds discussed below. The following
paragraphs discuss certain circumstances which may adversely affect the  ability
of  issuers  of Bonds  held  in the  portfolio  of a  Trust  to make  payment of
principal and interest thereon or which may adversely affect the ratings of such
Bonds; with  respect  to  Insured  Trusts, however,  because  of  the  insurance
obtained  by the Sponsor or by the issuers of the Bonds, such changes should not
adversely affect  an Insured  Trust's  receipt of  principal and  interest,  the
Standard  & Poor's AAA or Moody's Aaa ratings  of the Bonds in the Insured Trust
portfolio, or the Standard & Poor's AAA rating of the Units of each such Insured
Trust. For  economic risks  specific  to the  individual Trusts,  see  "Economic
Factors" for each Trust.
 
    HEALTH  FACILITY  OBLIGATIONS.    Some  of  the  Bonds  in  a  Trust  may be
obligations of  issuers whose  revenues are  derived from  services provided  by
hospitals  or other health care facilities,  including nursing homes. Ratings of
bonds issued  for health  care  facilities are  sometimes based  on  feasibility
studies  that contain projections of occupancy  levels, revenues and expenses. A
facility's gross  receipts and  net income  available for  debt service  may  be
affected  by future events and conditions  including, among other things, demand
for services, the ability of the  facility to provide the services required,  an
increasing  shortage of qualified nurses or a dramatic rise in nursing salaries,
physicians'  confidence  in  the  facility,  management  capabilities,  economic
developments  in  the service  area, competition  from other  similar providers,
efforts by  insurers  and  governmental agencies  to  limit  rates,  legislation
establishing  state rate-setting agencies,  expenses, government regulation, the
cost and possible unavailability of  malpractice insurance, and the  termination
or  restriction of governmental financial  assistance, including that associated
with Medicare, Medicaid and other  similar third party payor programs.  Medicare
reimbursements are currently calculated on a prospective basis and are not based
on  a provider's actual costs. Such method of reimbursement may adversely affect
reimbursements to hospitals and other facilities for services provided under the
Medicare program and thereby may have an  adverse effect on the ability of  such
institutions  to satisfy  debt service requirements.  In the event  of a default
upon a bond  secured by hospital  facilities, the limited  alternative uses  for
such  facilities may result  in the recovery upon  such collateral not providing
sufficient funds to fully repay the bonds.
 
    Certain hospital  bonds  provide for  redemption  at par  upon  the  damage,
destruction  or  condemnation of  the hospital  facilities  or in  other special
circumstances.
 
    HOUSING OBLIGATIONS.  Some  of the Bonds  in a Trust  may be obligations  of
issuers  whose revenues  are primarily  derived from  mortgage loans  to housing
projects for  low  to  moderate  income  families.  Such  issues  are  generally
characterized  by mandatory redemption at par or,  in the case of original issue
discount bonds, accreted  value in  the event of  economic defaults  and in  the
event of a failure of the operator of a project to comply with certain covenants
as  to the  operation of  the project.  The failure  of such  operator to comply
 
                                      A-1
<PAGE>
with certain  covenants related  to the  tax-exempt status  of interest  on  the
Bonds,  such as  provisions requiring  that a  specified percentage  of units be
rented or available for rental to  low or moderate income families,  potentially
could cause interest on such Bonds to be subject to Federal income taxation from
the  date of  issuance of the  Bonds. The ability  of such issuers  to make debt
service payments will be  affected by events  and conditions affecting  financed
projects,  including,  among other  things, the  achievement and  maintenance of
sufficient occupancy levels  and adequate rental  income, employment and  income
conditions  prevailing in local labor markets, increases in taxes, utility costs
and other  operating  expenses,  the managerial  ability  of  project  managers,
changes  in laws and  governmental regulations, the  appropriation of subsidies,
and social and economic  trends affecting the localities  in which the  projects
are  located. Occupancy  of such housing  projects may be  adversely affected by
high rent  levels  and  income  limitations  imposed  under  Federal  and  state
programs.
 
    SINGLE  FAMILY MORTGAGE REVENUE BONDS.  Some of  the Bonds in a Trust may be
single family  mortgage revenue  bonds,  which are  issued  for the  purpose  of
acquiring  from originating financial institutions notes secured by mortgages on
residences located within the issuer's boundaries and owned by persons of low or
moderate income. Mortgage  loans are generally  partially or completely  prepaid
prior  to their  final maturities  as a  result of  events such  as sale  of the
mortgaged premises, default, condemnation or casualty loss. Because these  bonds
are  subject to extraordinary mandatory redemption in whole or in part from such
prepayments of mortgage loans, a substantial portion of such bonds will probably
be redeemed prior to their scheduled maturities or even prior to their  ordinary
call dates. Extraordinary mandatory redemption without premium could also result
from  the failure  of the  originating financial  institutions to  make mortgage
loans in sufficient amounts within a specified time period. The redemption price
of such  issues may  be more  or less  than the  offering price  of such  bonds.
Additionally,  unusually high rates of default  on the underlying mortgage loans
may reduce revenues  available for the  payment of principal  of or interest  on
such  mortgage revenue bonds. Single family  mortgage revenue bonds issued after
December 31, 1980 were issued under Section 103A of the Internal Revenue Code of
1954, as amended, or  Section 143 of  the Internal Revenue  Code of 1986,  which
Sections  contain certain  requirements relating to  the use of  the proceeds of
such bonds in  order for the  interest on  such bonds to  retain its  tax-exempt
status.  In each  case, the issuer  of the  bonds has covenanted  to comply with
applicable requirements and bond  counsel to such issuer  has issued an  opinion
that  the interest on the bonds is exempt from Federal income tax under existing
laws  and  regulations.  There  can   be  no  assurance  that  such   continuing
requirements  will be  satisfied; the  failure to  meet such  requirements could
cause interest on the Bonds to  be subject to Federal income taxation,  possibly
from the date of issuance of the Bonds.
 
    FEDERALLY  ENHANCED OBLIGATIONS.   Some  of the  mortgages which  secure the
various health care or housing projects which underlie the previously  discussed
Health  Facility, Housing, and  Single Family Mortgage  Revenue Obligations (the
"Obligations") in a Trust may be  insured by the Federal Housing  Administration
("FHA").  Under FHA  regulations, the  maximum insurable  mortgage amount cannot
exceed 90%  of  the FHA's  estimated  value of  the  project. The  FHA  mortgage
insurance  does not constitute a guarantee of timely payment of the principal of
and interest on the Obligations. Payment  of mortgage insurance benefits may  be
(1)  less than the principal amount of Obligations outstanding or (2) delayed if
disputes arise as to  the amount of  the payment or if  certain notices are  not
given
 
                                      A-2
<PAGE>
to  the  FHA  within the  prescribed  time  periods. In  addition,  some  of the
previously discussed Obligations may be secured by mortgage-backed  certificates
guaranteed  by the Government  National Mortgage Association  ("GNMA"), a wholly
owned corporate  instrumentality  of  the  United  States,  and/or  the  Federal
National   Mortgage  Association  ("Fannie  Mae")   a  federally  chartered  and
stockholder-owed corporation. GNMA  and Fannie Mae  guarantee timely payment  of
principal  and  interest on  the  mortgage-backed certificates,  even  where the
underlying  mortgage  payments   are  not  made.   While  such   mortgage-backed
certificates  are often pledged  to secure payment of  principal and interest on
the Obligations, timely payment of interest and principal on the Obligations  is
not  insured or guaranteed by  the United States, GNMA,  Fannie Mae or any other
governmental agency or  instrumentality. The  GNMA mortgage-backed  certificates
constitute  a general obligation of  the United States backed  by its full faith
and credit. The obligations of Fannie  Mae, including its obligations under  the
Fannie  Mae mortgage-backed securities, are obligations solely of Fannie Mae and
are not backed  by, or  entitled to,  the full faith  and credit  of the  United
States.
 
    INDUSTRIAL  REVENUE OBLIGATIONS.   Certain  of the Bonds  in a  Trust may be
industrial revenue bonds  ("IRBs"), including pollution  control revenue  bonds,
which  are  tax-exempt  securities  issued  by  states,  municipalities,  public
authorities or similar entities to  finance the cost of acquiring,  constructing
or improving various industrial projects. These projects are usually operated by
corporate entities. Issuers are obligated only to pay amounts due on the IRBs to
the  extent that funds are available from the unexpended proceeds of the IRBs or
receipts or revenues of the issuer  under an arrangement between the issuer  and
the  corporate operator of  a project. The arrangement  may be in  the form of a
lease, installment sale agreement, conditional sale agreement or loan agreement,
but in each case  the payments to  the issuer are designed  to be sufficient  to
meet  the payments  of amounts  due on  the IRBs.  Regardless of  the structure,
payment of IRBs is solely dependent  upon the creditworthiness of the  corporate
operator  of  the project  and,  if applicable,  corporate  guarantor. Corporate
operators or  guarantors may  be affected  by  many factors  which may  have  an
adverse  impact on  the credit  quality of  the particular  company or industry.
These include cyclicality of revenues and earnings, regulatory and environmental
restrictions, litigation  resulting  from  accidents  or  environmentally-caused
illnesses,  extensive competition  and financial deterioration  resulting from a
corporate restructuring pursuant to a leveraged buy-out, takeover or  otherwise.
Such  a restructuring may  result in the  operator of a  project becoming highly
leveraged which may have an impact on such operator's creditworthiness which  in
turn  would have  an adverse impact  on the  rating and/or market  value of such
Bonds. Further, the  possibility of  such a  restructuring may  have an  adverse
impact  on the market for and consequently  the value of such Bonds, even though
no actual takeover or other action is ever contemplated or effected. The IRBs in
a Trust may be subject to  special or extraordinary redemption provisions  which
may  provide for redemption  at par or,  in the case  of original issue discount
bonds, accreted value. The  Sponsor cannot predict the  causes or likelihood  of
the redemption of IRBs in a Trust prior to the stated maturity of such Bonds.
 
    ELECTRIC  UTILITY  OBLIGATIONS.    Some  of the  Bonds  in  a  Trust  may be
obligations of issuers  whose revenues are  primarily derived from  the sale  of
electric  energy. The problems  faced by such issuers  include the difficulty in
obtaining approval for timely  and adequate rate  increases from the  applicable
public  utility  commissions,  the difficulty  of  financing  large construction
programs, increased competition, reductions in estimates of
 
                                      A-3
<PAGE>
future demand for electricity in certain  areas of the country, the  limitations
on  operations  and increased  costs  and delays  attributable  to environmental
considerations, the difficulty of the capital market in absorbing utility  debt,
the  difficulty in obtaining fuel at reasonable  prices and the effect of energy
conservation. All  of  such issuers  have  been experiencing  certain  of  these
problems   in  varying  degrees.  In  addition,  Federal,  state  and  municipal
governmental authorities  may from  time  to time  review existing,  and  impose
additional,  regulations governing the licensing,  construction and operation of
nuclear power plants, which may adversely  affect the ability of the issuers  of
certain of the Bonds in a Trust to make payments of principal and/or interest on
such Bonds.
 
    TRANSPORTATION  FACILITY REVENUE BONDS.  Some of the Bonds in a Trust may be
obligations of issuers which  are payable from and  secured by revenues  derived
from  the ownership and operation of airports, public transit systems and ports.
The major portion of  an airport's gross operating  income is generally  derived
from  fees received  from airlines pursuant  to use agreements  which consist of
annual payments for airport  use, occupancy of  certain terminal space,  service
fees  and  leases. Airport  operating income  may therefore  be affected  by the
ability of the airlines to meet their obligations under the use agreements.  The
air  transport industry is  experiencing significant variations  in earnings and
traffic,  due  to  increased  competition,  excess  capacity,  increased  costs,
deregulation,  traffic constraints and  other factors, and  several airlines are
experiencing severe financial difficulties.  In particular, facilities with  use
agreements involving airlines experiencing financial difficulty may experience a
reduction  in revenue due  to the possible  inability of these  airlines to meet
their use  agreement  obligations because  of  such financial  difficulties  and
possible  bankruptcy.  The Sponsor  cannot  predict what  effect  these industry
conditions may have on airport revenues  which are dependent for payment on  the
financial  condition of the  airlines and their usage  of the particular airport
facility. Bonds that are secured primarily by the revenue collected by a  public
transit  system  typically are  additionally secured  by a  pledge of  sales tax
receipts collected  at  the state  or  local  level, or  of  other  governmental
financial assistance. Transit system net revenues will be affected by variations
in  utilization,  which  in  turn  may  be  affected  by  the  degree  of  local
governmental subsidization, demographic and  population shifts, and  competition
from  other forms  of transportation;  and by  increased costs,  including costs
resulting from previous deferrals of maintenance. Port authorities derive  their
revenues  primarily from fees imposed on ships using the facilities. The rate of
utilization of such facilities may fluctuate depending on the local economy  and
on  competition from  competing forms  of transportation  such as  air, rail and
trucks.
 
    WATER AND/OR SEWERAGE  OBLIGATIONS.  Some  of the  Bonds in a  Trust may  be
obligations  of issuers whose revenues are derived from the sale of water and/or
sewerage services. Such Bonds are generally payable from user fees. The problems
of such  issuers  include  the  ability  to  obtain  timely  and  adequate  rate
increases,  population decline resulting in  decreased user fees, the difficulty
of financing  large construction  programs, the  limitations on  operations  and
increased  costs and  delays attributable  to environmental  considerations, the
increasing difficulty of obtaining or  discovering new supplies of fresh  water,
the  effect  of  conservation  programs and  the  impact  of  "no-growth" zoning
ordinances. All of such issuers have been experiencing certain of these problems
in varying degrees.
 
    UNIVERSITY AND COLLEGE REVENUE  OBLIGATIONS.  Some of  the Bonds in a  Trust
may  be obligations  of issuers  which are,  or which  govern the  operation of,
colleges and universities and  whose revenues are  derived mainly from  tuition,
dormitory revenues, grants and
 
                                      A-4
<PAGE>
endowments. General problems of such issuers include the prospect of a declining
percentage  of the population consisting  of "college" age individuals, possible
inability to raise tuitions and  fees sufficiently to cover increased  operating
costs, the uncertainty of continued receipt of Federal grants and state funding,
and  government  legislation  or  regulations  which  may  adversely  affect the
revenues or costs of  such issuers. All of  such issuers have been  experiencing
certain of these problems in varying degrees.
 
    BRIDGE AUTHORITY AND TOLLROAD OBLIGATIONS.  Some of the Bonds in a Trust may
be  obligations  of issuers  which derive  their payments  from bridge,  road or
tunnel toll revenues. The revenues of such an issuer could be adversely affected
by competition from toll-free vehicular bridges and roads and alternative  modes
of transportation. Such revenues could also be adversely affected by a reduction
in  the availability of fuel to motorists  or significant increases in the costs
thereof. Specifically, governmental regulations restricting the use of  vehicles
in  the New  York City  metropolitan area may  adversely affect  revenues of the
Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority.
 
    DEDICATED-TAX SUPPORTED  BONDS.    Some of  the  Bonds  in a  Trust  may  be
obligations of issuers which are payable from and secured by tax revenues from a
designated  source, which revenues are pledged  to secure the bonds. The various
types of  Bonds described  below differ  in structure  and with  respect to  the
rights of the bondholders to the underlying property. Each type of dedicated-tax
supported  Bond has distinct risks, only some  of which are set forth below. One
type of dedicated-tax supported Bond is secured by the incremental tax  received
on  either real property or on  sales within a specifically defined geographical
area; such  tax  generally will  not  provide bondholders  with  a lien  on  the
underlying property or revenues. Another type of dedicated-tax supported Bond is
secured  by a special tax levied on  real property within a defined geographical
area in such  a manner  that the tax  is levied  on those who  benefit from  the
project;  such bonds  typically provide for  a statutory lien  on the underlying
property for unpaid taxes. A third  type of dedicated-tax supported Bond may  be
secured by a tax levied upon the manufacture, sale or consumption of commodities
or  upon the license to pursue  certain occupations or upon corporate privileges
within a taxing jurisdiction. As to any of these types of Bonds, the ability  of
the  designated revenues to satisfy the  interest and principal payments on such
bonds may be affected by changes in the local economy, the financial success  of
the  enterprise  responsible for  the payment  of  the taxes,  the value  of any
property on which taxes may be assessed and the ability to collect such taxes in
a timely fashion. Each  of these factors  will have a  different affect on  each
distinct type of dedicated-tax supported bonds.
 
    MUNICIPAL LEASE BONDS.  Some of the Bonds in a Trust may be obligations that
are  secured  by lease  payments  of a  governmental  entity. Such  payments are
normally subject to  annual budget  appropriations of  the leasing  governmental
entity.  A governmental  entity that enters  into such a  lease agreement cannot
obligate future  governments to  appropriate  for and  make lease  payments  but
covenants  to take such action as is necessary to include any lease payments due
in its budgets and to make the appropriations therefor. A governmental  entity's
failure to appropriate for and to make payments under its lease obligation could
result  in insufficient funds  available for payment  of the obligations secured
thereby.
 
    ORIGINAL ISSUE  DISCOUNT BONDS  AND STRIPPED  OBLIGATIONS.   Certain of  the
Bonds  in a Trust may be original  issue discount bonds. These Bonds were issued
with nominal  interest rates  less than  the rates  then offered  by  comparable
securities and as a consequence were
 
                                      A-5
<PAGE>
originally  sold at a  discount from their  face, or par,  values. This original
issue discount,  the difference  between  the initial  purchase price  and  face
value,  is deemed under current  law to accrue on a  daily basis and the accrued
portion is  treated  as  tax-exempt  interest  income  for  federal  income  tax
purposes.  On sale or redemption, gain, if any, realized in excess of the earned
portion of original issue discount will be taxable as capital gain. See "What is
the Tax Status of Unitholders". The current value of an original issue  discount
bond  reflects the  present value of  its face  amount at maturity.  In a stable
interest rate environment, the market value  of an original issue discount  bond
would  tend to increase more slowly in  early years and in greater increments as
the bond approached maturity.
 
    Certain of the original issue discount bonds  in a Trust may be zero  coupon
bonds. Zero coupon bonds do not provide for the payment of any current interest;
the  buyer receives only the right to receive a final payment of the face amount
of the bond at its maturity. The effect  of owning a zero coupon bond is that  a
fixed  yield is earned not only on  the original investment but also, in effect,
on all  discount  earned  during  the life  of  the  obligation.  This  implicit
reinvestment of earnings at the same rate eliminates the risk of being unable to
reinvest  the income on such obligation at a rate as high as the implicit yield,
but at the same time also eliminates the holder's ability to reinvest at  higher
rates  in  the  future.  For  this reason,  zero  coupon  bonds  are  subject to
substantially greater  price  fluctuations  during periods  of  changing  market
interest  rates  than are  securities of  comparable  quality that  pay interest
currently.
 
    Original issue discount bonds, including  zero coupon bonds, may be  subject
to  redemption at prices  based on the  issue price plus  the amount of original
issue  discount  accreted  to  redemption   (the  "accreted  value")  plus,   if
applicable,  some premium.  Pursuant to such  call provisions  an original issue
discount bond may be called prior to its maturity date at a price less than  its
face  value. See the  "Schedules of Investments" for  more information about the
call provisions of portfolio Bonds.
 
    Certain of the Bonds in a Trust may be Stripped Obligations, which represent
evidences of  ownership with  respect to  either the  principal amount  of or  a
payment  of interest on a tax-exempt  obligation. An obligation is "stripped" by
depositing it with  a custodian, which  then effects a  separation in  ownership
between  the bond and any interest payment which has not yet become payable, and
issues evidences of ownership with respect to such constituent parts. A Stripped
Obligation therefore has economic characteristics similar to zero coupon  bonds,
as described above.
 
    Each  Stripped Obligation has  been purchased at a  discount from the amount
payable at maturity. With respect to each Unitholder, the Internal Revenue  Code
treats  as "original issue discount" that portion of the discount which produces
a yield to maturity (as of the date of purchase of the Unitholder's Units) equal
to the lower of the coupon rate of interest on the underlying obligation or  the
yield  to maturity on the basis of  the purchase price of the Unitholder's Units
which is allocable to  each Stripped Obligation.  Original issue discount  which
accrues with respect to a Stripped Obligation will be exempt from Federal income
taxation  to the  same extent  as interest  on the  underlying obligations. (See
Section 11, " What Is The Tax Status of Unitholders".)
 
    Unitholders should consult their own tax advisers with respect to the  state
and  local tax consequences of owning  original issue discount bonds or Stripped
Obligations. Under applicable  provisions governing determination  of state  and
local taxes, interest on original
 
                                      A-6
<PAGE>
issue discount bonds or Stripped Obligations may be deemed to be received in the
year of accrual even though there is no corresponding cash payment.
 
4.  COMPOSITION OF TRUSTS
 
Each  Trust initially consists  of delivery statements  relating to contracts to
purchase Bonds (or of such Bonds) as are listed under "Schedules of Investments"
and, thereafter, of  such Bonds as  may continue to  be held from  time to  time
(including  certain securities deposited in the  Trust in substitution for Bonds
not delivered to the Trust or in exchange or substitution for Bonds upon certain
refundings), together  with  accrued  and  undistributed  interest  thereon  and
undistributed cash realized from the disposition of Bonds.
 
    "WHEN-ISSUED"  AND  "DELAYED  DELIVERY"  TRANSACTIONS.    The  contracts  to
purchase Bonds delivered to  the Trustee represent an  obligation by issuers  or
dealers  to deliver Bonds  to the Sponsor  for deposit in  the Trusts. Normally,
"regular way"  contracts are  settled and  the Bonds  delivered to  the  Trustee
within  a relatively  short period  of time.  However, certain  of the contracts
relate to Bonds which have not been issued  as of the Date of Deposit and  which
are  commonly referred to  as "when issued"  or "when, as  and if issued" Bonds.
Although the Sponsor does not believe it  is likely, one or more of the  issuers
of such Bonds might decide not to proceed with such offerings. If such Bonds, or
replacement  bonds described  below, are  not acquired  by a  Trust or  if their
delivery is  delayed, the  Estimated  Current Returns  and Estimated  Long  Term
Returns  shown herein may be reduced. Certain  of the contracts for the purchase
of Bonds provide for delivery dates  after the date of settlement for  purchases
made  on  the Date  of  Deposit. Interest  on  such "when  issued"  and "delayed
delivery" Bonds accrues to the benefit of Unitholders commencing with the  first
settlement  date for the Units. However,  in the opinion of counsel, Unitholders
who purchase their Units prior to the date such Bonds are actually delivered  to
the  Trustee must reduce the  tax basis of their  Units for interest accruing on
such Bonds during the interval between their purchase of Units and the  delivery
of  the Bonds because such amounts constitute a return of principal. As a result
of such adjustment, the  Estimated Current Returns set  forth herein (which  are
based  on the Public Offering Price as of  the business day prior to the Date of
Deposit) may be  slightly lower than  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 Regarding the Trusts."
Those Bonds  in each  Trust purchased  with  delivery dates  after the  date  of
settlement  for  purchases made  on  the Date  of Deposit  are  so noted  in the
Schedules of Investments.
 
    LIMITED REPLACEMENT OF CERTAIN BONDS.   Neither the Sponsor nor the  Trustee
shall  be liable in any way  for any default, failure or  defect in any Bond. In
the event of a failure to deliver any  Bond that has been purchased for a  Trust
under  a contract, including those  Bonds purchased on a  when, as and if issued
basis ("Failed Bonds"), the Sponsor is authorized under the Indenture to  direct
the  Trustee to acquire  other specified Bonds ("Replacement  Bonds") to make up
the original corpus of the Trust. The Replacement Bonds must be purchased within
20 days after  delivery of notice  of the failed  contract and the  cost to  the
Trust  (exclusive  of  accrued interest)  may  not  exceed the  amount  of funds
reserved for the purchase  of the Failed Bonds.  The Replacement Bonds (i)  must
satisfy  the criteria previously described for  Bonds originally included in the
Trust and, with respect  to Bonds purchased  for a State  Trust, shall have  the
benefit of an exemption from state taxation of interest to an extent equal to or
greater  than that of  the Bonds they  replace, (ii) must  have a fixed maturity
date after the date of purchase of  not less than approximately 15 years in  the
case  of National or State Trusts, approximately 11  years in the case of a Long
Intermediate Trust, approximately 5 years in  the case of Intermediate or  State
Intermediate  Trusts, approximately 3 years in  the case of a Short Intermediate
Trust and
 
                                      A-7
<PAGE>
approximately 1 year in the case of a  Short Term Trust, but not later than  the
maturity date of the Failed Bonds, (iii) must be acquired at a cost to the Trust
equal  to the cost of the same principal  amount of Bonds provided in the failed
contract and have  a current  return and  yield to  maturity not  less than  the
current  return and yield to maturity of the  Failed Bonds and (iv) shall not be
"when, as and if  issued" Bonds. Whenever a  Replacement Bond has been  acquired
for  a Trust, the  Trustee shall, within  five days after  the delivery thereof,
mail or deliver a  notice of such  acquisition to all  Unitholders of the  Trust
involved.  Once the original corpus  of the Trust is  acquired, the Trustee will
have no power to vary the investment of the Trust; i.e., the Trust will have  no
managerial power to take advantage of market variation to improve a Unitholder's
investment.
 
    To  the extent the right of  limited substitution described in the preceding
paragraph shall not  be utilized  to acquire  Replacement Bonds  for the  entire
principal amount of Failed Bonds, the Sponsor shall refund to all Unitholders of
the  Trust  involved the  sales  charge attributable  to  such Failed  Bonds not
replaced, and  the principal  and accrued  interest attributable  to such  Bonds
shall  be distributed  not more  than 30  days after  the determination  of such
failure or at such earlier time as  the Trustee in its sole discretion deems  to
be  in  the interest  of  the Unitholders.  Any  such accrued  interest  paid to
Unitholders will be paid by the Sponsor and, accordingly, will not be treated as
tax-exempt income. In the event Failed Bonds  in a Trust could not be  replaced,
the  Net Annual Interest Income per Unit for such Trust would be reduced and the
Estimated Current Return thereon might be lowered.
 
    SALE, MATURITY AND REDEMPTION OF BONDS.  Certain of the Bonds may from  time
to  time  under certain  circumstances be  sold  or redeemed  or will  mature in
accordance with their terms. The proceeds from  such events will be used to  pay
for   Units  redeemed  or   distributed  to  Unitholders   and  not  reinvested;
accordingly, no assurance can be given that  a Trust will retain for any  length
of time its present size and composition.
 
    All  of the Bonds in  each Trust are subject to  being called or redeemed in
whole or  in part  prior to  their stated  maturities pursuant  to the  optional
redemption  provisions described in  the "Schedules of  Investments" and in most
cases pursuant to sinking fund, special or extraordinary redemption  provisions.
A  bond  subject to  optional  call is  one which  is  subject to  redemption or
refunding prior to maturity at the option of the issuer. A refunding is a method
by which a bond issue is redeemed, at  or before maturity, by the proceeds of  a
new  bond  issue. A  bond subject  to sinking  fund redemption  is one  which is
subject to  partial call  from time  to time  from a  fund accumulated  for  the
scheduled  retirement of  a portion  of an issue  prior to  maturity. Special or
extraordinary redemption  provisions may  provide  for redemption  of all  or  a
portion  of an  issue upon  the occurrence  of certain  circumstances related to
defaults or unanticipated changes  in circumstances. Events  that may permit  or
require  the special or extraordinary redemption of bonds include, among others:
substantial damage to or  destruction of the project  for which the proceeds  of
the  bonds were used; exercise by a local, state or federal governmental unit of
its power of eminent domain to take all or substantially all of the project  for
which  the  proceeds of  the bonds  were  used; a  final determination  that the
interest on the bonds  is taxable; changes in  the economic availability of  raw
materials,  operating supplies or  facilities or technological  or other changes
which render the operation of  the project for which  the proceeds of the  bonds
were  used uneconomical; changes in law  or an administrative or judicial decree
which render the performance  of the agreement under  which the proceeds of  the
bonds  were made  available to  finance the  project impossible  or which create
unreasonable burdens or which impose  excessive liabilities, such as taxes,  not
imposed  on the date the bonds are issued on the issuer of the bonds or the user
of the  proceeds  of the  bonds;  an  administrative or  judicial  decree  which
requires  the cessation of a  substantial part of the  operations of the project
financed with the proceeds of the bonds;
 
                                      A-8
<PAGE>
an overestimate of the costs of the project to be financed with the proceeds  of
the  bonds resulting in excess proceeds which may be applied to redeem bonds; or
an underestimate of  a source of  funds securing the  bonds resulting in  excess
funds which may be applied to redeem bonds. The Sponsor is unable to predict all
of  the circumstances which may result in  such redemption of an issue of Bonds.
See the discussion of the various  types of bond issues, above, for  information
on  the  call  provisions of  such  bonds, particularly  single  family mortgage
revenue bonds.
 
    The exercise of redemption or call provisions will (except to the extent the
proceeds of the called Bonds are used to pay for Unit redemptions) result in the
distribution of  principal  and may  result  in a  reduction  in the  amount  of
subsequent  interest distributions;  it may  also affect  the current  return on
Units of the Trust involved. Redemption pursuant to optional call provisions  is
more  likely to  occur, and  redemption pursuant to  sinking fund  or special or
extraordinary redemption provisions may occur,  when the Bonds have an  offering
side  evaluation which  represents a  premium over  par. Redemption  pursuant to
optional call provisions  may be,  and redemption  pursuant to  sinking fund  or
special or extraordinary redemption provisions is likely to be, at a price equal
to the par value of the bonds without any premium (in the case of original issue
discount  bonds, such redemption is generally to be made at the issue price plus
the amount of original issue discount  accreted to the date of redemption;  such
price  is referred to herein  as "accreted value"). Because  Bonds may have been
valued at prices above or below par value or the then current accreted value  at
the  time Units were  purchased, Unitholders may  realize gain or  loss upon the
redemption of portfolio  Bonds. (See Sections  11 and 13  and the "Schedules  of
Investments.")
 
    CERTAIN  TAX  MATTERS;  LITIGATION.   Certain  of  the Bonds  in  each Trust
portfolio may be subject  to continuing requirements such  as the actual use  of
bond proceeds, manner of operation of the project financed from bond proceeds or
rebate  of excess  earnings on  bond proceeds that  may affect  the exemption of
interest on such  Bonds from Federal  income taxation. Although  at the time  of
issuance  of each  of the  Bonds in each  Trust an  opinion of  bond counsel was
rendered as to the exemption of interest on such obligations from Federal income
taxation, and the issuers covenanted  to comply with all requirements  necessary
to retain the tax-exempt status of the Bonds, there can be no assurance that the
respective  issuers  or  other obligors  on  such obligations  will  fulfill the
various continuing  requirements  established  upon issuance  of  the  Bonds.  A
failure to comply with such requirements may cause a determination that interest
on  such  obligations  is  subject  to  Federal  income  taxation,  perhaps even
retroactively from the  date of  issuance of  such Bonds,  thereby reducing  the
value of the Bonds and subjecting Unitholders to unanticipated tax liabilities.
 
    To  the best knowledge of the Sponsor,  there is no litigation pending as of
the Date of Deposit in respect of  any Bonds which might reasonably be  expected
to  have a  material adverse effect  on any of  the Trusts. It  is possible that
after the Date of Deposit, litigation may be initiated with respect to Bonds  in
any  Trust. Any  such litigation may  affect the  validity of such  Bonds or the
tax-exempt nature of the interest thereon,  but while the outcome of  litigation
of  such nature can never be entirely predicted, the opinions of bond counsel to
the issuer of  each Bond  on the  date of issuance  state that  such Bonds  were
validly issued and that the interest thereon is, to the extent indicated, exempt
from Federal income tax.
 
                                      A-9
<PAGE>
5.  WHY AND HOW ARE THE BONDS INSURED?
 
INSURANCE ON BONDS IN INSURED TRUSTS
 
Insurance  guaranteeing  the  timely payment,  when  due, of  all  principal and
interest on the Bonds in each Insured Trust has been obtained by the Sponsor  or
by  the  issuers or  underwriters  of Bonds  from  the Municipal  Bond Investors
Assurance Corporation (the "Insurer"). Some of  the Bonds in each Insured  Trust
may  be covered by a policy or policies  of insurance obtained by the issuers or
underwriters of  the  Bonds  from  Municipal  Bond  Insurance  Association  (the
"Association") or Bond Investors Guaranty Insurance Company ("BIG"). The Insurer
has  issued a policy or policies of insurance  covering each of the Bonds in the
Insured Trusts, each policy to remain in force until the payment in full of such
Bonds and whether or not the Bonds continue  to be held by an Insured Trust.  By
the  terms  of each  policy the  Insurer will  unconditionally guarantee  to the
holders or owners of the Bonds the payment, when due, required of the issuer  of
the  Bonds of an amount equal  to the principal of and  interest on the Bonds as
such payments shall become due but not be paid (except that in the event of  any
acceleration  of the due  date of principal  by reason of  mandatory or optional
redemption, default or otherwise, the payments  guaranteed will be made in  such
amounts  and  at  such times  as  would have  been  due  had there  not  been an
acceleration). The  Insurer will  be  responsible for  such payments,  less  any
amounts  received by the holders or owners of the Bonds from any trustee for the
bond issuers or  from any other  sources other than  the Insurer. The  Insurer's
policies  relating to small  industrial development bonds  and pollution control
revenue bonds also guarantee the full and complete payments required to be  made
by  or on behalf  of an issuer  of Bonds pursuant  to the terms  of the Bonds if
there occurs an event which results in the loss of the tax-exempt status of  the
interest  on such Bonds,  including principal, interest  or premium payments, if
any, as and when thereby required. The Insurer has indicated that its  insurance
policies  do not insure the payment of  principal or interest on bonds which are
not required to be paid by the issuer thereof because the bonds were not validly
issued; as  indicated  under  "What  is the  Tax  Status  of  Unitholders?"  the
respective  issuing authorities have received  opinions of bond counsel relating
to the valid issuance of each of the Bonds in the Insured Trusts. The  Insurer's
policy  also does not insure against non-payment  of principal of or interest on
the Bonds resulting from the insolvency, negligence or any other act or omission
of the trustee or other paying agent for the Bonds. The policy is not covered by
the Property/ Casualty Insurance  Security Fund specified in  Article 76 of  the
New  York  Insurance Law.  The policies  are  non-cancellable and  the insurance
premiums have been fully paid on or prior to the Date of Deposit, either by  the
Sponsor or, if a policy has been obtained by a Bond issuer, by such issuer.
 
    Upon  notification from  the trustee  for any bond  issuer or  any holder or
owner of the Bonds or coupons that such trustee or paying agent has insufficient
funds to pay any  principal or interest  in full when due,  the Insurer will  be
obligated  to deposit funds  promptly with State Street  Bank and Trust Company,
N.A., New York, New York, as fiscal  agent for the Insurer, sufficient to  fully
cover the deficit. If notice of nonpayment is received on or after the due date,
the  Insurer will provide for payment  within one business day following receipt
of the notice. Upon payment  by the Insurer of  any Bonds, coupons, or  interest
payments,  the Insurer shall succeed  to the rights of  the owner of such Bonds,
coupons or interest payments with respect thereto.
 
    The Insurer is the principal operating subsidiary of MBIA, Inc., a New  York
Stock  Exchange listed company. MBIA, Inc. is  not obligated to pay the debts of
or claims against the  Insurer. The Insurer is  a limited liability  corporation
rather  than a  several liability association.  The Insurer is  domiciled in the
State of New York and licensed to do business in all 50 states, the District  of
Columbia and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
 
                                      A-10
<PAGE>
    As  of December  31, 1993  the Insurer had  admitted assets  of $3.1 billion
(audited), total liabilities of  $2.1 billion (audited),  and total capital  and
surplus  of  $978  million  (audited) determined  in  accordance  with statutory
accounting  practices   prescribed   or  permitted   by   insurance   regulatory
authorities.  As of September 30, 1994, the  Insurer had admitted assets of $3.3
billion (unaudited), total  liabilities of $2.2  billion (unaudited), and  total
capital  and surplus of  $1.1 billion (unaudited)  determined in accordance with
statutory accounting practices prescribed  or permitted by insurance  regulatory
authorities.  Copies of the Insurer's year  end financial statements prepared in
accordance with statutory accounting practices  are available from the  Insurer.
The address of the Insurer is 113 King Street, Armonk, New York 10504.
 
    Each  insurance company comprising the Association will be severally and not
jointly obligated  under  the Association  policy  in the  following  respective
percentages:  The  AEtna  Casualty  and  Surety  Company,  33%;  Fireman's  Fund
Insurance Company, 30%;  The Travelers Indemnity  Company, 15%; AEtna  Insurance
Company  (now  known  as CIGNA  Property  and  Casualty Company),  12%;  and The
Continental Insurance Company, 10%.  As a several  obligor, each such  insurance
company  will be  obligated only to  the extent  of its percentage  of any claim
under the  Association  policy and  will  not be  obligated  to pay  any  unpaid
obligation  of any  other member  of the  Association. Each  insurance company's
participation is backed by all of its assets. However, each insurance company is
a multiline insurer involved in several lines of insurance other than  municipal
bond  insurance, and the assets of each insurance company also secure all of its
other insurance policy and surety bond obligations.
 
    The following table sets forth certain unaudited financial information  with
respect  to  the  five  insurance  companies  comprising  the  Association.  The
statistics, which have been furnished by the Association, are as reported by the
insurance  companies  to  the  New  York  State  Insurance  Department  and  are
determined in accordance with statutory accounting principles. No representation
is  made herein as to the accuracy or  adequacy of such information or as to the
absence of material adverse changes in  such information subsequent to the  date
thereof.  In addition,  these numbers  are subject to  revision by  the New York
State Insurance Department which, if revised, could either increase or  decrease
the amounts.
 
                      MUNICIPAL BOND INSURANCE ASSOCIATION
      FIVE MEMBER COMPANIES ASSETS AND POLICYHOLDERS' SURPLUS (UNAUDITED)
                              AS OF JUNE 30, 1994.
                                (000'S OMITTED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              NEW YORK         NEW YORK         NEW YORK
                                                              STATUTORY        STATUTORY     POLICYHOLDERS'
                                                               ASSETS         LIABILITIES       SURPLUS
                                                           ---------------  ---------------  --------------
<S>                                                        <C>              <C>              <C>
The AEtna Casualty & Surety Company......................  $    10,169,558  $     8,299,548   $  1,870,010
Fireman's Fund Insurance Company.........................        6,751,350        4,893,824      1,857,526
The Travelers Indemnity Company..........................       10,246,669        8,486,034      1,760,635
CIGNA Property and Casualty Company (formerly AEtna
  Insurance Company).....................................        4,992,242        4,924,356         67,886
The Continental Insurance Company........................        2,712,535        2,351,467        361,068
                                                           ---------------  ---------------  --------------
        Total............................................  $    34,872,354  $    28,955,229   $  5,917,125
                                                           ---------------  ---------------  --------------
                                                           ---------------  ---------------  --------------
</TABLE>
 
    Standard   &  Poor's  Corporation  rates  all  new  issues  insured  by  the
Association "AAA" Prime Grade.
 
    Moody's Investors Service rates all  bond issues insured by the  Association
"Aaa"  and  short term  loans  "MIG 1",  both designated  to  be of  the highest
quality.
 
                                      A-11
<PAGE>
    Each such rating should be evaluated  independently of any other rating.  No
application  has  been  made to  any  other  rating agency  in  order  to obtain
additional ratings  on the  Bonds.  The ratings  reflect the  respective  rating
agency's  current assessment of the creditworthiness  of the Association and its
ability to pay claims on its  policies of insurance. Any further explanation  as
to  the  significance  of  the  above ratings  may  be  obtained  only  from the
applicable rating agency.
 
    Moody's Investors Service rates all bond issues insured by the Insurer "Aaa"
and short-term loans "MIG 1," both designated to be of the highest quality.
 
    Standard & Poor's  Ratings Group,  a division  of McGraw  Hill ("Standard  &
Poor's") rates all new issues insured by the Insurer "AAA" Prime Grade."
 
    The  Moody's Investors  Service rating  of the  Insurer should  be evaluated
independently of the  Standard & Poor's  Corporation rating of  the Insurer.  No
application  has  been  made to  any  other  rating agency  in  order  to obtain
additional ratings  on the  Bonds.  The ratings  reflect the  respective  rating
agency's  current  assessment of  the creditworthiness  of  the Insurer  and its
ability to  pay  claims  on  its policies  of  insurance  (See  "Description  of
Ratings.")  Any further explanation as to  the significance of the above ratings
may be obtained only from the applicable rating agency.
 
    The above ratings are  not recommendations to buy,  sell or hold the  Bonds,
and  such ratings may  be subject to revision  or withdrawal at  any time by the
rating agencies. Any downward revision or  withdrawal of either or both  ratings
may have an adverse effect on the market price of the Bonds.
 
    Because  the insurance on the  Bonds will be effective  so long as the Bonds
are outstanding, such insurance  will be taken into  account in determining  the
market  value  of  the  Bonds  and therefore  some  value  attributable  to such
insurance will be included in the value of the Units of the Insured Trusts.  The
insurance  does not, however, guarantee the market  value of the Bonds or of the
Units.
 
INSURANCE ON CERTAIN BONDS IN TRADITIONAL TRUSTS
 
    Insurance guaranteeing the timely  payment, when due,  of all principal  and
interest  on certain Bonds in a Traditional  Trust may have been obtained by the
Sponsor, issuer or underwriter  of the particular Bonds  involved or by  another
party.  Such insurance, which  provides coverage substantially  the same as that
obtained with  respect  to  Bonds  in Insured  Trusts  as  described  above,  is
effective  so long as the insured Bond is outstanding and the insurer remains in
business. Insurance relates  only to the  particular Bond and  not to the  Units
offered hereby or to their market value. Insured Bonds have received a rating of
"Aaa"  by  Moody's Investors  Service, Inc.  and/or "AAA"  by Standard  & Poor's
Corporation in recognition of such insurance.
 
    If a Bond  in a Traditional  Trust is insured,  the Schedule of  Investments
will identify the insurer. Such insurance will be provided by Financial Guaranty
Insurance   Company  ("FGIC"),  AMBAC   Indemnity  Corporation  ("AMBAC"),  Bond
Investors Guaranty  Insurance  Company, now  known  as MBIA  Corp.  of  Illinois
("BIG"),   Capital  Guaranty  Insurance  Company  ("CGIC"),  Financial  Security
Assurance,   Inc.   ("FSA"),   Municipal   Bond   Insurance   Association   (the
"Association"),  Municipal  Bond  Investors  Assurance  Corporation  ("MBIA") or
Connie Lee Insurance Company  ("ConnieLee"). The Sponsor  to date has  purchased
and  presently intends  to purchase  insurance for  Bonds in  Traditional Trusts
exclusively from MBIA (see the  preceding disclosure regarding MBIA). There  can
be  no assurance  that any insurer  listed therein  will be able  to satisfy its
commitments in the
 
                                      A-12
<PAGE>
event claims are made in the future. However, Standard & Poor's Corporation  has
rated  the claims-paying  ability of each  insurer "AAA,"  and Moody's Investors
Service has rated  all bonds  insured by  each such  insurer, except  ConnieLee,
"Aaa."  Moody's  Investor's  Service  gives  no  ratings  for  bonds  insured by
ConnieLee.
 
    Because any such insurance  will be effective so  long as the insured  Bonds
are  outstanding, such insurance  will be taken into  account in determining the
market value  of  such Bonds  and  therefore  some value  attributable  to  such
insurance  will be included in the value of the Units of the Trust that includes
such Bonds. The insurance does not,  however, guarantee the market value of  the
Bonds or of the Units.
 
6.  HOW IS THE PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE DETERMINED?
 
The  Public Offering Price of the Units of  each Trust is equal to the Trustee's
determination of the aggregate  OFFERING prices of  the Bonds deposited  therein
(minus  any  advancement to  the  principal account  of  the Trust  made  by the
Trustee) plus a sales charge of 5.152%  of the aggregate offering prices in  the
case  of National and State  Trusts, 4.439% of the  aggregate offering prices in
the case of Long Intermediate Trusts, 4.058% of the aggregate offering prices in
the case of Intermediate Trusts, 3.093% of the aggregate offering prices in  the
case of Short Intermediate Trusts and 2.564% of the aggregate offering prices in
the  case of Short  Term Trusts, in each  case adding to  the total thereof cash
held by the Trust,  if any, and dividing  the sum so obtained  by the number  of
Units  outstanding in the Trust. This  computation produces a gross underwriting
profit equal to 4.90% of the Public  Offering Price in the case of National  and
State  Trusts,  4.25%  of  the  Public  Offering  Price  in  the  case  of  Long
Intermediate Trusts,  3.90%  of  the  Public  Offering  Price  in  the  case  of
Intermediate  Trusts, 3.00% of  the Public Offering  Price in the  case of Short
Intermediate Trusts and 2.50% of the Public Offering Price in the case of  Short
Term Trusts.
 
    The  sales charge applicable to quantity purchases is reduced on a graduated
scale for sales to any  purchaser of at least $50,000  or 500 Units and will  be
applied  on whichever basis is more favorable  to the purchaser. For purposes of
calculating the applicable  sales charge,  purchasers who  have indicated  their
intent  to purchase a specified amount of Units of any Trust described herein in
the primary offering period  or units of any  other series of Nuveen  Tax-Exempt
Unit  Trusts in the primary offering period by executing and delivering a letter
of intent to the Sponsor, which letter of intent must be in a form acceptable to
the Sponsor  and shall  have a  maximum  duration of  thirteen months,  will  be
eligible  to receive  a reduced  sales charge  according to  the following table
based on the amount of intended  aggregate purchases as expressed in the  letter
of  intent. By  establishing a  letter of intent,  a Unitholder  agrees that the
first purchase of Units following the execution of such letter of intent will be
at least 5% of the total amount of the intended aggregate purchases expressed in
such Unitholder's letter of  intent. Further, through  the establishment of  the
letter of intent, such Unitholder agrees that units representing 5% of the total
amount  of the intended purchases will be  held in escrow by United States Trust
Company of New York 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. 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. If such Unitholder  does not pay the  additional amount within 20  days
after   written  request   by  the   Sponsor  or   the  Unitholder's  securities
representative, the Sponsor will instruct  the Trustee to redeem an  appropriate
number  of the escrowed  units to meet  the required payment.  By establishing a
letter of intent, a Unitholder irrevocably  appoints the Sponsor as attorney  to
 
                                      A-13
<PAGE>
give instructions to redeem any or all of such Unitholder's escrowed units, with
full  power  of substitution  in the  premises. A  Unitholder or  his securities
representative must notify the Sponsor whenever such Unitholder makes a purchase
of Units that he wishes to be counted towards the intended amount. Sales charges
during the primary offering period are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         NATIONAL AND STATE      LONG INTERMEDIATE
                                                               TRUSTS                  TRUSTS           INTERMEDIATE TRUSTS
                                                       ----------------------  ----------------------  ----------------------
<S>                                                    <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>
                                                         PERCENT     PERCENT     PERCENT     PERCENT     PERCENT     PERCENT
                                                           OF        OF NET        OF        OF NET        OF        OF NET
                                                        OFFERING     AMOUNT     OFFERING     AMOUNT     OFFERING     AMOUNT
                  NUMBER OF UNITS*                        PRICE     INVESTED      PRICE     INVESTED      PRICE     INVESTED
- -----------------------------------------------------  -----------  ---------  -----------  ---------  -----------  ---------
Less than 500........................................        4.90%      5.152%       4.25%      4.439%       3.90%      4.058%
500 but less than 1,000..............................        4.75       4.987        4.15       4.330        3.70       3.842
1,000 but less than 2,500............................        4.50       4.712        3.85       4.004        3.50       3.627
2,500 but less than 5,000............................        4.25       4.439        3.60       3.734        3.25       3.359
5,000 but less than 10,000...........................        3.50       3.627        3.35       3.466        3.00       3.093
10,000 but less than 25,000..........................        3.00       3.093        3.00       3.093        2.75       2.828
25,000 but less than 50,000..........................        2.50       2.564        2.50       2.564        2.50       2.564
50,000 or more.......................................        2.00       2.041        2.00       2.041        2.00       2.041
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         SHORT INTERMEDIATE
                                                               TRUSTS            SHORT TERM TRUSTS
                                                       ----------------------  ----------------------
<S>                                                    <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>
                                                         PERCENT     PERCENT     PERCENT     PERCENT
                                                           OF        OF NET        OF        OF NET
                                                        OFFERING     AMOUNT     OFFERING     AMOUNT
                  NUMBER OF UNITS*                        PRICE     INVESTED      PRICE     INVESTED
- -----------------------------------------------------  -----------  ---------  -----------  ---------
Less than 500........................................        3.00%      3.093%       2.50%      2.564%
500 but less than 1,000..............................        2.80       2.881        2.30       2.354
1,000 but less than 2,500............................        2.60       2.670        2.10       2.145
2,500 but less than 5,000............................        2.35       2.407        1.85       1.885
5,000 but less than 10,000...........................        2.10       2.145        1.60       1.626
10,000 but less than 25,000..........................        1.85       1.885        1.35       1.368
25,000 but less than 50,000..........................        1.80       1.833        1.25       1.266
50,000 or more.......................................        1.50       1.523        1.15       1.163
</TABLE>
 
*Breakpoint sales charges are computed both on  a dollar basis and on the  basis
 of the number of Units purchased, using the equivalent of 500 Units to $50,000,
 2,500  Units to $250,000 etc., and will be  applied on that basis which is more
 favorable to the purchaser.
 
    For "secondary market"  sales the  Public Offering  Price per  Unit of  each
Trust is determined by adding to the Trustee's determination of the BID price of
each  Bond in the Trust  a sales charge determined  in accordance with the table
set forth below based upon the number of years remaining to the maturity of each
such Bond, adjusting  the total to  reflect the amount  of any cash  held in  or
advanced  to the principal account  of the Trust and  dividing the result by the
number of Units then outstanding. For  purposes of this calculation, Bonds  will
be  deemed to mature on  their stated maturity dates  unless: (a) the Bonds have
been called for redemption or funds or securities have been placed in escrow  to
redeem  them on  an earlier  call date, in  which case  such call  date shall be
deemed to be the date upon which they mature; or (b) such Bonds are subject to a
"mandatory put," in which case such mandatory put date shall be deemed to be the
date upon  which  they  mature.  Any assumptions  regarding  maturity  made  for
purposes  of  determining the  appropriate  sales charge  in  no way  predict or
guarantee the actual remaining life of a given 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  original principal  amount of  the  Trust. In  the course  of regularly
appraising the  value  of Bonds  in  each Trust,  the  Sponsor will  attempt  to
estimate  the date on which a Trust's value  will fall below the 20% level based
on anticipated bond events over a five year period, including maturities, escrow
calls and  current  calls or  refundings,  assuming certain  market  rates.  The
Sponsor  intends from time to time to recommend that certain Trusts whose values
 
                                      A-14
<PAGE>
have fallen or are anticipated to fall  below the 20% level be terminated  based
on  certain criteria which  could adversely affect  the Trust's diversification.
Once the Sponsor has determined that a  Trust's value has or may fall below  the
20%  level within a five-year period, for purposes of computing the sales charge
using the table set forth below, the maturity of each bond in such Trust will be
deemed to be the earlier of the estimated termination date of the Trust, or  the
actual  date used  when pricing the  bond under  Municipal Securities Rulemaking
Board rules and interpretations issued thereunder.
 
    The effect of this method of sales charge calculation will be that different
sales charge rates will  be applied to  the various Bonds  in a Trust  portfolio
based  upon  the maturities  of  such Bonds,  in  accordance with  the following
schedule. As  shown, the  sales charge  on  Bonds in  each maturity  range  (and
therefore the aggregate sales charge on the purchase) is reduced with respect to
purchases of at least $50,000 or 500 Units:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  AMOUNT OF PURCHASE*
                             ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>            <C>
                                            $50,000     $100,000     $250,000     $500,000     $1,000,000     $2,500,000
                                UNDER         TO           TO           TO           TO            TO             TO
YEARS TO MATURITY              $50,000      $99,999     $249,999     $499,999     $999,999     $2,499,999     $4,999,999
- ---------------------------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -------------  -------------
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%          .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>
 
<S>                          <C>
 
                              $5,000,000
YEARS TO MATURITY               OR MORE
- ---------------------------  -------------
Less than 1................            0
1 but less than 2..........         .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>
 
 *Breakpoint  sales charges are computed both on a dollar basis and on the basis
  of the  number  of Units  purchased,  using the  equivalent  of 500  Units  to
  $50,000,  2,500 Units  to $250,000,  etc., and will  be applied  on that basis
  which is more favorable to the purchaser.
 
    The secondary market sales charges above  are expressed as a percent of  the
net  amount invested; expressed as  a percent of the  Public Offering Price, the
maximum sales charge on  any Trust, including one  consisting entirely of  Bonds
with  16 years  or more to  maturity, would be  5.50% (5.820% of  the net amount
invested). For purposes of illustration, the sales charge on a Trust  consisting
entirely  of Bonds maturing  in 13 to  16 years would  be 5% (5.263%  of the net
amount invested); that on a Trust consisting entirely of Bonds maturing in  five
to  seven years would be 3.5% (3.627% of the net amount invested); and that on a
Trust consisting entirely of Bonds maturing in three to four years would be 2.5%
(2.564% of the net  amount invested). The actual  secondary market sales  charge
included in the Public Offering Price of any particular Trust will depend on the
maturities of the Bonds in the portfolio of such Trust.
 
    At  all  times while  Units are  being  offered for  sale, the  Sponsor will
appraise or cause to  be appraised daily  the value of  the underlying Bonds  in
each  Trust as of 4:00 p.m. eastern time on each day on which the New York Stock
Exchange (the "Exchange") is normally open  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. 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.
 
    As  more fully set forth  in Section 8, accrued  interest from the preceding
Record Date to, but not including, the settlement date of the transaction  (five
business  days after  purchase) will  be added to  the Public  Offering Price to
determine the purchase price of Units.
 
                                      A-15
<PAGE>
    The above graduated sales charges 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 an  individual and his or her spouse and
children under 21 years  of age 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 or  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 (see
Section 17)  by  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, and by 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.  Notwithstanding anything to
the contrary in this Prospectus, investors and bank trust departments purchasing
Units through this program will not receive sales charge reductions for quantity
purchases.
 
    The initial or primary Public Offering Price  of the Units in each Trust  is
based upon a pro rata share of the OFFERING prices per Unit of the Bonds in such
Trust  plus the  applicable sales charge.  The secondary  market Public Offering
Price of each Trust is based upon a pro rata share of the BID prices per Unit of
the Bonds in such Trust plus the applicable sales charge. The OFFERING prices of
Bonds in a Trust may be expected to average approximately 1% to 2% more than the
BID prices of such Bonds  in the case of  National, Long Intermediate and  State
Trusts,  3/4%  to 1  1/2% in  the  case of  Intermediate and  Short Intermediate
Trusts, and  1/2% to  3/4% in  the case  of Short  Term Trusts.  The  difference
between the bid side evaluation and the offering side evaluation of the Bonds in
each  Trust on the  business day prior  to the Date  of Deposit is  shown in the
discussion of each Trust portfolio.
 
    Whether or not Units are being offered for sale, the Sponsor will  determine
the aggregate value of each Trust as of 4:00 p.m. eastern time: (i) on each June
30 or December 31 (or, if such date is not a business day, the last business day
prior  thereto), (ii) on any day on which  a Unit is tendered for redemption (or
the next succeeding business day  if the date of  tender is a non-business  day)
and (iii) at such other times as may be necessary. For this purpose, a "business
day" shall be any day on which the Exchange is normally open. (See Section 16.)
 
7.  MARKET FOR UNITS
 
During  the  initial public  offering period,  the Sponsor  intends to  offer to
purchase Units of each  Trust at a  price equivalent to the  pro rata share  per
Unit  of the OFFERING prices of the Bonds in such Trust (plus accrued interest).
Afterward, although  it  is not  obligated  to do  so,  the Sponsor  intends  to
maintain  a secondary  market for  Units of  each Trust  at its  own expense and
continuously to offer  to purchase  Units of each  Trust at  prices, subject  to
 
                                      A-16
<PAGE>
change  at  any time,  which  are based  upon  the BID  prices  of Bonds  in the
respective portfolios of the Trusts. If the supply of Units of any of the Trusts
of this Series exceeds  demand, or for some  other business reason, the  Sponsor
may discontinue purchases of Units of such Trust at such prices. UNITHOLDERS WHO
WISH  TO DISPOSE OF THEIR UNITS SHOULD INQUIRE OF THE TRUSTEE OR THEIR BROKER AS
TO THE  CURRENT  REDEMPTION PRICE  (SEE  SECTION  19). In  connection  with  its
secondary  marketmaking activities, the Sponsor may from time to time enter into
secondary market  joint  account  agreements with  other  brokers  and  dealers.
Pursuant to such an agreement the Sponsor will purchase Units from the broker or
dealer at the bid price and will place the Units into a joint account managed by
the  Sponsor; sales from  the account will  be made in  accordance with the then
current prospectus and the Sponsor and  the broker or dealer will share  profits
and  losses in  the joint account  in accordance  with the terms  of their joint
account agreement.
 
    Certificates, if any, for Units are  delivered to the purchaser as  promptly
after  the date of settlement (five business days after purchase) as the Trustee
can complete the mechanics of registration. Normally, Certificates, if any,  are
mailed  by  the  Trustee 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 as
tender of the Certificate, properly endorsed for transfer. (See Section 19.)
 
    Each Unit  of each  respective Trust  initially offered  by this  Prospectus
represents  that fractional  undivided interest  in such  Trust as  is set forth
under "Essential Information Regarding the Trusts." 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.
 
8.  WHAT IS ACCRUED INTEREST?
 
Accrued interest is the accumulation of unpaid interest on a bond from the  last
day  on which  interest thereon  was paid.  Interest on  Bonds in  each Trust is
accounted for daily on an accrual basis. For this reason, the purchase price  of
Units  of a Trust will  include not only the Public  Offering Price but also the
proportionate share  of accrued  interest to  the date  of settlement.  Interest
accrues  to the  benefit of Unitholders  commencing with the  settlement date of
their purchase transaction.
 
    Accrued interest does not include accrual of original issue discount on zero
coupon bonds, Stripped Obligations or other original issue discount bonds.  (See
"Summary  of Portfolios--General Trust Information" and  "What Is The Tax Status
of Unitholders.")
 
    In an effort to reduce the  amount of accrued interest that investors  would
have  to pay in addition to the Public Offering Price, the Trustee has agreed to
advance to each Trust the amount of accrued interest due on the Bonds as of  the
Date  of Deposit (which has been designated  the first Record Date for all plans
of distribution).  This accrued  interest will  be paid  to the  Sponsor as  the
holder  of record of  all Units on  the Date of  Deposit. Consequently, when the
Sponsor sells Units of a  Trust, the amount of accrued  interest to be added  to
the  Public Offering Price to determine the  purchase price of the Units of such
Trust purchased by an investor will include only accrued interest from the  Date
of  Deposit to,  but not  including, the  date of  settlement of  the investor's
purchase (five business days  after purchase), less  any distributions from  the
related  Interest Account.  The Trustee  will recover  its advancements (without
interest or  other cost  to the  Trusts)  from interest  received on  the  Bonds
deposited in each Trust.
 
    The  Trustee has no  cash for distribution to  Unitholders until it receives
interest payments on the Bonds in  the Trusts. Since municipal bond interest  is
accrued daily but
 
                                      A-17
<PAGE>
paid  only semi-annually, during the initial  months of the Trusts, the Interest
Accounts, consisting of accrued but uncollected interest and collected  interest
(cash),  will  be predominantly  the uncollected  accrued  interest that  is not
available for distribution. However, due to advances by the Trustee, the Trustee
will provide a first distribution between approximately 30 and 60 days after the
Date of Deposit. Assuming each Trust  retains its original size and  composition
and expenses and fees remain the same, annual interest collected and distributed
will  approximate  the  estimated  Net  Annual  Interest  Income  stated herein.
However, the amount of  accrued interest at  any point in  time will be  greater
than  the amount that the Trustee will have actually received and distributed to
the Unitholders. Therefore, there will always remain an item of accrued interest
that is included in the Purchase Price and the redemption price of the Units.
 
    Interest is accounted  for daily and  a proportionate share  of accrued  and
undistributed  interest computed from the preceding  Record Date is added to the
daily valuation of each Unit  of each Trust. (See Sections  3 and 13.) As  Bonds
mature,  or are redeemed or sold, the  accrued interest applicable to such bonds
is collected and subsequently distributed  to Unitholders. Unitholders who  sell
or redeem all or a portion of their Units will be paid their proportionate share
of  the remaining accrued interest to, but not including, the fifth business day
following the date of sale or tender.
 
9.  WHAT ARE ESTIMATED LONG TERM RETURN AND ESTIMATED CURRENT RETURN?
 
The Estimated Long Term Return for each Trust is a measure of the return to  the
investor  earned over the estimated  life of the Trust.  The Estimated Long Term
Return represents an average of the yields to maturity (or call) of the Bonds in
the Trust's portfolio calculated in  accordance with accepted bond practice  and
adjusted  to reflect expenses  and sales charges.  Under accepted bond practice,
tax-exempt bonds are customarily offered to investors on a "yield price"  basis,
which  involves computation  of yield  to maturity  or to  an earlier  call date
(whichever produces the lower yield), and which takes into account not only  the
interest  payable  on the  bonds but  also  the amortization  or accretion  to a
specified date of any premium over or discount from the par (maturity) value  in
the  bond's  purchase  price. In  calculating  Estimated Long  Term  Return, the
average yield for  the Trust's  portfolio is  derived by  weighting each  Bond's
yield by the market value of the Bond and by the amount of time remaining to the
date  to which the Bond is priced. Once the average portfolio yield is computed,
this figure is then reduced to reflect estimated expenses and the effect of  the
maximum  sales  charge  paid  by  investors.  The  Estimated  Long  Term  Return
calculation does not take into account the effect of a first distribution  which
may  be less than a regular  distribution or may be paid  at some point after 30
days (or a second distribution which may be less than a normal distribution  for
Unitholders  who choose quarterly or semi-annual  plans of distribution), and it
also does  not  take  into account  the  difference  in timing  of  payments  to
Unitholders  who choose quarterly or semi-annual  plans of distribution, each of
which will reduce the return.
 
    Estimated Current Return  is computed  by dividing the  Net Annual  Interest
Income per Unit by the Public Offering Price. In contrast to Estimated Long Term
Return, Estimated Current Return does not reflect the amortization of premium or
accretion of discount, if any, on the Bonds in the Trust's portfolio. Net Annual
Interest Income per Unit is calculated by dividing the annual interest income to
the Trust, less estimated expenses, by the number of Units outstanding.
 
    Net  Annual Interest  Income per Unit,  used to  calculate Estimated Current
Return, will vary  with changes  in fees  and expenses  of the  Trustee and  the
Evaluator  and with the redemption, maturity, exchange or sale of Bonds. A Trust
may experience expenses and  portfolio changes different  from those assumed  in
the calculation of Estimated Long Term
 
                                      A-18
<PAGE>
Return.  There thus can  be no assurance  that the Estimated  Current Returns or
Estimated Long Term  Returns quoted  herein will be  realized in  the future.  A
Unitholder's  actual return may vary  significantly from the Estimated Long-Term
Return, based  on their  holding  period, market  interest rate  changes,  other
factors  affecting  the  prices  of  individual  bonds  in  the  portfolio,  and
differences between  the expected  remaining  life of  portfolio bonds  and  the
actual length of time that they remain in the Trust; such actual holding periods
may  be reduced  by termination  of the  Trust, as  described in  "AMENDMENT AND
TERMINATION OF  INDENTURE." Since  both  the Estimated  Current Return  and  the
Estimated  Long Term Return quoted  herein are based on  the market value of the
underlying Bonds on the  business day prior to  the Date of Deposit,  subsequent
calculations  of these performance measures will reflect the then current market
value of the underlying Bonds and may be higher or lower.
 
    A portion of the  monies received by  a Trust may be  treated, in the  first
year  only, as a return of principal due to the inclusion in the Trust portfolio
of "when-issued"  or  other  Bonds  having delivery  dates  after  the  date  of
settlement  for purchases  made on  the Date of  Deposit. A  consequence of this
treatment is that in the computation  of Estimated Current Return for the  first
year, such monies are excluded from Net Annual Interest Income and treated as an
adjustment  to the Public Offering  Price. (See "Essential Information Regarding
the Trusts" and Sections 4 and 11.)
 
    For a statement of the Net Annual Interest Income per Unit under the monthly
plan of  distribution,  and Estimated  Long  Term Yield  and  Estimated  Current
Returns based on the Public Offering Prices of the Trusts in this Series, all as
of  the day prior to  the Date of Deposit,  see "Essential Information Regarding
the Trusts."
 
10.  HOW WAS THE PRICE OF THE BONDS DETERMINED AT THE DATE OF DEPOSIT?
 
The prices at which the Bonds deposited in the Trusts would have been offered to
the public on the business day prior  to the Date of Deposit were determined  by
the  Trustee on the basis  of an evaluation of such  Bonds prepared by Kenny S&P
Evaluation Services, a  firm regularly  engaged in the  business of  evaluating,
quoting  or appraising comparable bonds. With respect to Bonds in Insured Trusts
and insured Bonds in Traditional Trusts, Kenny S&P Evaluation Services evaluated
the Bonds as so insured. (See Section 5).
 
    The amount by which  the Trustee's determination of  the OFFERING PRICES  of
the  Bonds deposited  in the Trusts  was greater or  less than the  cost of such
Bonds to  the  Sponsor was  PROFIT  OR LOSS  to  the Sponsor  exclusive  of  any
underwriting  profit.  (See Section  3.) 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.
 
11.  WHAT IS THE TAX STATUS OF UNITHOLDERS?
 
At the  respective times  of issuance  of  the Bonds  opinions relating  to  the
validity  thereof and to  the exemption of interest  thereon from Federal income
tax were rendered  by bond  counsel to  the respective  issuing authorities.  In
addition,  with respect to  State Trusts, where applicable,  bond counsel to the
issuing authorities rendered opinions  as to the exemption  of interest on  such
Bonds,  when held by residents  of the state in which  the issuers of such Bonds
are located, from state income taxes and certain state or local intangibles  and
local  income taxes.  For a  discussion of  the tax  status of  State Trusts see
"Summary of  Portfolios--  Tax Status"  for  the respective  State  Trust.  (See
Sections  2 and 3.)  Neither the Sponsor  nor its counsel  have made any special
review for the Trusts of the proceedings  relating to the issuance of the  Bonds
or of the basis for the opinions rendered in connection therewith.
 
                                      A-19
<PAGE>
    Taxpayers  must  disclose  on  their  Federal  tax  returns  the  amount  of
tax-exempt  interest  earned  during  the  year.  Federally  tax-exempt  income,
including  income on Units  of the Trusts,  will be taken  into consideration in
computing the portion, if any, of social security benefits received that will be
included in a taxpayer's gross income subject to the Federal income tax.
 
    Gain realized on the sale or redemption of the Bonds by the Trustee or of  a
Unit  by  a Unitholder  is includable  in  gross income  for Federal  income tax
purposes, and may be  includable in gross income  for state tax purposes.  (Such
gain  does not include  any amounts received  in respect of  accrued interest or
accrued original issue discount, if any.)  A portion of a Unitholder's gain,  to
the extent of accreted market discount, may be treated as ordinary income rather
than capital gain if the Bonds were purchased by a Trust at a market discount or
if  the Unitholder purchased his  or her Units at a  market discount on or after
April 30, 1993. Market discount can arise based on the price the Trust pays  for
the Bonds or the price a Unitholder pays for his or her Units.
 
    In the opinion of Chapman and Cutler, Counsel to the Sponsor, under existing
law:
 
    (1) the  Trusts  are not  associations taxable  as corporations  for Federal
        income tax purposes. Tax-exempt interest received by each of the  Trusts
        on  Bonds  deposited  therein  will  retain  its  status  as  tax-exempt
        interest, for Federal income tax  purposes, when received by the  Trusts
        and  when distributed  to the  Unitholders, except  that the alternative
        minimum tax and  environmental tax (the  "Superfund Tax") applicable  to
        corporate  Unitholders  may, in  certain  circumstances, include  in the
        amount on which  such taxes  are calculated  a portion  of the  interest
        income  received by  the Trust. See  "Certain Tax  Matters Applicable to
        Corporate Unitholders", below;
 
    (2) each Unitholder of a Trust is considered  to be the owner of a pro  rata
        portion  of such Trust under Subpart E, subchapter J of Chapter 1 of the
        Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code") and will have a taxable event
        when the Trust  disposes of  a Bond or  when the  Unitholder redeems  or
        sells  Units. Unitholders must  reduce the tax basis  of their Units for
        their share of accrued interest received by the Trust, if any, on  Bonds
        delivered  after  the  date the  Unitholders  pay for  their  Units and,
        consequently, such Unitholders may have  an increase in taxable gain  or
        reduction  in capital loss  upon the disposition of  such Units. Gain or
        loss upon the sale or redemption  of Units is measured by comparing  the
        proceeds  of  such sale  or redemption  with the  adjusted basis  of the
        Units. If the  Trustee disposes of  Bonds (whether by  sale, payment  at
        maturity,  redemption or otherwise),  gain or loss  is recognized to the
        Unitholder. The amount of any such gain or loss is measured by comparing
        the Unitholder's  pro  rata  share  of  the  total  proceeds  from  such
        disposition  with  the  Unitholder's  basis for  his  or  her fractional
        interest in  the asset  disposed of.  In the  case of  a Unitholder  who
        purchases Units, such basis (before adjustment for earned original issue
        discount   and  amortized  bond  premium,   if  any)  is  determined  by
        apportioning the  cost of  the  Units among  each  of the  Trust  assets
        ratably  according to value as of the  date of acquisition of the Units.
        The  tax  cost   reduction  requirements  of   said  Code  relating   to
        amortization  of bond premium  may, under some  circumstances, result in
        the Unitholder realizing a taxable gain  when his or her Units are  sold
        or redeemed for an amount equal to their original cost; and
 
    (3) any  amounts paid on defaulted Bonds  held by the Trustee under policies
        of insurance issued with respect to  such Bonds will be excludable  from
        Federal  gross income if, and to the same extent as, such interest would
        have been so excludable if paid by the respective issuer provided  that,
        at  the  time such  policies are  purchased, the  amounts paid  for such
        policies are reasonable, customary and consistent with
 
                                      A-20
<PAGE>
        the reasonable expectation that the issuer of the bonds, rather than the
        insurer, will  pay debt  service on  the bonds.  Paragraph (2)  of  this
        opinion  is  accordingly  applicable  to  policy  proceeds  representing
        maturing interest.
 
In the opinion of Carter, Ledyard & Milburn, counsel to the Trustee, and, in the
absence of a New York Trust from the Series, special counsel for the Series  for
New York tax matters, under existing law:
 
        Under  the income tax laws of the State and City of New York, each Trust
    is not an association taxable as a corporation and the income of each  Trust
    will be treated as the income of the Unitholders.
 
    For  a summary of  each opinion of  special counsel to  the respective State
Trusts for state tax matters, see Section 3.
 
    ALL STATEMENTS IN THE PROSPECTUS CONCERNING EXEMPTION FROM FEDERAL, STATE OR
OTHER TAXES ARE THE OPINION OF COUNSEL AND ARE TO BE SO CONSTRUED.
 
    The redemption of Units in a Trust  by a Unitholder would result in each  of
the  remaining Unitholders of said Trust owning a greater proportionate interest
in the remaining assets  of said Trust. Although  present law does not  directly
address  this matter, it  would appear reasonable  that a remaining Unitholder's
tax basis in  his Units would  include his proportionate  share of any  proceeds
received by the Trust on the sale of bonds which were not distributed to him but
were  instead used by  the Trust to redeem  Units and that his  tax basis in the
remaining assets of the  Trust would accordingly be  increased by such share  of
proceeds, based on the relative fair market value of the remaining assets of the
Trust as of the date of such redemption.
 
    Sections  1288 and 1272 of the Code provide a complex set of rules governing
the accrual of original issue discount. These rules provide that original  issue
discount  accrues either on  the basis of  a constant compound  interest rate or
ratably over the term of the Bond, depending on the date the Bond was issued. In
addition, special  rules apply  if the  purchase  price of  a Bond  exceeds  the
original issue price plus the amount of original issue discount which would have
previously  accrued based upon its issue price (its "adjusted issue price"). The
application of these rules will also vary depending on the value of the Bond  on
the  date a Unitholder acquires his Units, and the price the Unitholder pays for
his Units. The  accrual of  tax-exempt original  issue discount  on zero  coupon
bonds  and other original issue discount bonds will result in an increase in the
Unitholder's basis in  such obligations and,  accordingly, in his  basis in  his
Units.
 
    The  Tax Act subjects tax-exempt  bonds to the market  discount rules of the
Code effective for  bonds purchased  after April  30, 1993.  In general,  market
discount is the amount (if any) by which the stated redemption price at maturity
exceeds an investor's purchase price (except to the extent that such difference,
if  any, is attributable to original issue  discount not yet accrued). Under the
Tax Act, accretion of market discount is taxable as ORDINARY INCOME; under prior
law, the  accretion had  been  treated as  capital  gain. Market  discount  that
accretes  while the Trust holds a Bond would be recognized as ordinary income by
the Unitholders when principal payments are  received on the Bond, upon sale  or
at  redemption (including early  redemption), or upon the  sale or redemption of
his or  her Units,  unless a  Unitholder elects  to include  market discount  in
taxable  income  as  it  accrues.  The market  discount  rules  are  complex and
Unitholders should consult their  tax advisors regarding  these rules and  their
application.
 
    The Internal Revenue Code provides that interest on indebtedness incurred or
continued  to purchase  or carry  obligations, the  interest on  which is wholly
exempt from Federal income taxes, is not deductible. Because each Unitholder  is
treated  for Federal income tax purposes as the owner of a pro rata share of the
Bonds owned by the applicable Trust,
 
                                      A-21
<PAGE>
interest on borrowed funds used  to purchase or carry  Units of such Trust  will
not  be deductible  for Federal  income tax  purposes. Under  rules used  by the
Internal Revenue Service for determining when borrowed funds are considered used
for the purpose  of purchasing or  carrying particular assets,  the purchase  of
Units  may be considered to  have been made with  borrowed funds even though the
borrowed funds are  not directly traceable  to the purchase  of Units  (however,
these  rules generally do not apply to interest paid on indebtedness incurred to
purchase  or  improve  a  personal  residence).  Similar  rules  are   generally
applicable  for state tax purposes.  Special rules apply in  the case of certain
financial institutions that  acquire Units. Investors  with questions  regarding
these issues should consult with their tax advisers.
 
    In  general,  each  issue of  bonds  in  the Trusts  is  subject  to certain
post-issuance requirements which must  be met in order  for the interest on  the
Bonds to be and remain exempt from Federal income taxation. Bond counsel to each
issuer generally has opined that, assuming continuing compliance by such issuers
with  certain covenants, interest on such Bonds  will continue to be exempt from
Federal income taxation (other than with respect to the application to corporate
Unitholders of the alternative  minimum tax or the  Superfund Tax, as  discussed
below).
 
    For  purposes of computing  the alternative minimum  tax for individuals and
corporations, interest on certain specified tax-exempt private activity bonds is
included as a preference item. The Trusts do not include any such bonds.
 
    For taxpayers  other  than corporations,  net  capital gains  are  presently
subject  to a maximum tax  rate of 28 percent. However,  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.
 
    CERTAIN TAX  MATTERS APPLICABLE  TO CORPORATE  UNITHOLDERS. In  the case  of
certain  corporations, the alternative minimum tax  and the Superfund Tax depend
upon the corporation's alternative minimum taxable income ("AMTI"), which is the
corporation's taxable income  with certain  adjustments. One  of the  adjustment
items  used in computing AMTI and the Superfund Tax of a corporation (other than
an S corporation, Regulated Investment Company, Real Estate Investment Trust, or
REMIC) is an amount equal to 75%  of the excess of such corporation's  "adjusted
current  earnings" over an amount equal to its AMTI (before such adjustment item
and the  alternative  tax net  operation  loss deduction).  Although  tax-exempt
interest  received by each of the Trusts  on Bonds deposited therein will not be
included in the gross  income of corporations for  Federal income tax  purposes,
"adjusted current earnings" includes all tax-exempt interest, including interest
on all Bonds in the Trust and tax-exempt original issue discount.
 
    Corporate  Unitholders  are urged  to consult  their  own tax  advisers with
respect to the particular tax consequences  to them resulting under the  Federal
tax  law, including the corporate alternative minimum tax, the Superfund Tax and
the branch profits tax imposed by Section 884 of the Code.
 
    EXCEPT AS NOTED ABOVE AND IN SECTION  3, THE EXEMPTION OF INTEREST ON  STATE
AND  LOCAL  OBLIGATIONS FOR  FEDERAL INCOME  TAX  PURPOSES DOES  NOT NECESSARILY
RESULT IN EXEMPTION UNDER THE INCOME OR OTHER TAX LAWS OF ANY STATE OR CITY. THE
LAWS  OF  THE  SEVERAL  STATES  VARY  WITH  RESPECT  TO  THE  TAXATION  OF  SUCH
OBLIGATIONS.
 
12.  WHAT ARE NORMAL TRUST OPERATING EXPENSES?
 
No  annual advisory fee is charged the  Trusts by the Sponsor. The Sponsor does,
however, receive a fee  of $0.17 per  annum per $1,000  principal amount of  the
underlying  Bonds  in each  Trust  for regularly  evaluating  the Bonds  and for
maintaining surveillance over the portfolio. (See Section 16.)
 
                                      A-22
<PAGE>
    The Trustee receives for ordinary recurring services an annual fee for  each
plan  of  distribution for  each Trust  as set  forth in  "Essential Information
Regarding the Trusts."  Each annual fee  is per $1,000  principal amount of  the
underlying  Bonds in  a Trust for  that portion  of the Trust  that represents a
particular plan of distribution. The Trustee's fee may be periodically  adjusted
in response to fluctuations in short-term interest rates (reflecting the cost to
the  Trustee of advancing funds to a  Trust to meet scheduled distributions) and
may be further adjusted in accordance with the cumulative percentage increase of
the United  States Department  of  Labor's Consumer  Price Index  entitled  "All
Services  Less Rent" 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  Fund is expected to result from
such use of these funds.
 
    Premiums for the  policies of insurance  obtained by the  Sponsor or by  the
Bond issuers with respect to the Bonds in the Insured Trusts and with respect to
insured  Bonds in Traditional Trusts have been paid in full prior to the deposit
of the Bonds in the Trusts, and the value of such insurance has been included in
the evaluation of the Bonds in each Trust and accordingly in the Public Offering
Price of Units of each Trust. There  are no annual continuing premiums for  such
insurance.
 
    The Sponsor has borne all costs of creating and establishing the Trusts. The
following  are expenses  of the  Trusts and,  when paid  by or  are owed  to the
Trustee, are secured by  a lien on the  assets of the Trust  or Trusts to  which
such expenses are allocable: (1) the expenses and costs of any action undertaken
by  the  Trustee to  protect  the Trusts  and the  rights  and interests  of the
Unitholders; (2) all taxes and other governmental charges upon the Bonds or  any
part of the Trusts (no such taxes or charges are being levied or made or, to the
knowledge  of the Sponsor, contemplated); (3)  amounts payable to the Trustee as
fees  for  ordinary  recurring  services  and  for  extraordinary  non-recurring
services  rendered  pursuant to  the Indenture,  all disbursements  and expenses
including counsel fees  (including fees of  bond counsel which  the Trustee  may
retain)  sustained or incurred  by the Trustee in  connection therewith; and (4)
any losses or liabilities accruing to the Trustee without negligence, bad  faith
or  willful misconduct on  its part. The  Trustee is empowered  to sell Bonds in
order to  pay  these  amounts  if  funds are  not  otherwise  available  in  the
applicable Interest and Principal Accounts.
 
    The  Indenture requires each Trust  to be audited on  an annual basis at the
expense of the Trust by independent public accountants selected by the  Sponsor.
The  Trustee  shall not  be  required, however,  to cause  such  an audit  to be
performed if its cost to a Trust shall exceed $.05 per Unit on an annual  basis.
Unitholders  of a  Trust covered by  an audit may  obtain a copy  of the audited
financial statements upon request.
 
13.  WHEN ARE DISTRIBUTIONS MADE TO UNITHOLDERS?
 
Interest received by the Trustee on the Bonds in each Trust, including that part
of the proceeds of  any disposition of Bonds  which represents accrued  interest
and  including  any insurance  proceeds representing  interest due  on defaulted
Bonds, shall be credited to the "Interest  Account" of such Trust and all  other
moneys  received by the Trustee shall be  credited to the "Principal Account" of
such Trust.
 
    The pro rata share of  cash in the Principal Account  in each Trust will  be
computed as of each semi-annual Record Date and distributions to the Unitholders
as of such Record Date will be made on or shortly after the fifteenth day of the
month. Proceeds received from the disposition, including sale, call or maturity,
of  any of the Bonds and all amounts  paid with respect to zero coupon bonds and
Stripped   Obligations    will    be    held   in    the    Principal    Account
 
                                      A-23
<PAGE>
and  either used to  pay for Units  redeemed or distributed  on the Distribution
Date following the next semi-annual Record Date. The Trustee is not required  to
make  a distribution from the  Principal Account of any  Trust unless the amount
available for distribution in such account equals at least ten cents per Unit.
 
    The pro rata share of the Interest Account in each Trust will be computed by
the Trustee each month as of each Record Date and distributions will be made  on
or  shortly after the fifteenth day of the month to Unitholders of such Trust as
of the Record Date who are entitled to distributions at that time under the plan
of distribution chosen. Persons who purchase  Units between a Record Date and  a
Distribution Date will receive their first distribution on the Distribution Date
following the next Record Date under the applicable plan of distribution.
 
    Purchasers  of  Units  who desire  to  receive interest  distributions  on a
monthly or quarterly basis may elect to do so at the time of purchase during the
initial public offering  period. Those indicating  no choice will  be deemed  to
have  chosen the  semi-annual distribution  plan. All  Unitholders, however, who
purchase Units during the  initial public offering period  and who hold them  of
record on the first Record Date will receive the first distribution of interest.
Thereafter, Record Dates for monthly distributions will be the first day of each
month;  Record  Dates  for quarterly  distributions  will  be the  first  day of
February,  May,  August   and  November;  and   Record  Dates  for   semi-annual
distributions will be the first day of May and November.
 
    Details  of distributions  per Unit  of each  Trust under  the various plans
based upon estimated Net Annual Interest Income at the Date of Deposit are shown
in the tables appearing  in Section 3. The  amount of the regular  distributions
will  remain the same so long as each  Trust portfolio remains the same and fees
and expenses remain the same, and will generally change when Bonds are redeemed,
mature or are sold or when fees and expenses increase or decrease.
 
    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 Section 18.) If no notice is received in proper form by the
Trustee,  the Unitholder  will be  deemed to have  elected to  continue the same
plan.
 
    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 the
Trust's assets until such time  as the Trustee shall return  all or any part  of
such amounts to the appropriate account.
 
    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.
 
                                      A-24
<PAGE>
    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. (See Section 19.)
 
    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.
 
14.  ACCUMULATION PLAN
 
The Sponsor, John Nuveen & Co.  Incorporated, is also the principal  underwriter
of  the  Nuveen Municipal  Bond Fund,  Inc. (the  "Bond Fund"),  Nuveen Tax-Free
Reserves, Inc. ("Tax-Free Reserves"), Nuveen California Tax-Free Fund, Inc. (the
"California Fund"),  Nuveen Tax-Free  Bond Fund,  Inc. ("Tax-Free  Bond  Fund"),
Nuveen  Insured Tax-Free  Bond Fund, Inc.  (the "Insured Bond  Fund") and Nuveen
Tax-Free Money  Market Fund,  Inc.  (the "Money  Market  Fund") and  the  Nuveen
Multistate  Tax-Free  Trust  (the  "Multistate  Trust").  Each  of  these  funds
(together, the  "Accumulation Funds")  is  an open-end,  diversified  management
investment   company  into  which  Unitholders  may  choose  to  reinvest  Trust
distributions automatically,  without any  sales  charge. (Reinvestment  in  the
California  Fund is available only to  Unitholders who are California residents.
Reinvestment in the State Portfolios of the Tax-Free Bond Fund, the Insured Bond
Fund, the  Money Market  Fund and  the  Multistate Trust  is available  only  to
Unitholders  who  are residents  of  the states  for  which such  portfolios are
named.) 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  Nuveen  Advisory Corp.,  a wholly-owned
subsidiary of  the  Sponsor. The  following  is  a general  description  of  the
investment  objectives  and  policies  of each  Accumulation  Fund.  For  a more
detailed description, Unitholders should read the prospectus of the Accumulation
Fund in which they are interested.
 
THE BOND FUND
 
    The Bond  Fund has  the  objective of  providing,  through investment  in  a
professionally  managed portfolio of long-term municipal  bonds, as high a level
of current interest income exempt from Federal income tax as is consistent  with
preservation  of capital. The Bond Fund  may include in its portfolio tax-exempt
bonds rated Baa or BBB or better by Moody's or Standard & Poor's, unrated  bonds
which,  in the  opinion of the  investment adviser,  have credit characteristics
equivalent  to  bonds  rated  Baa  or  BBB  or  better,  and  certain  temporary
investments,  including securities the interest income from which may be subject
to Federal income tax.
 
TAX-FREE RESERVES
 
    Tax-Free Reserves is a  "money market" fund that  includes in its  portfolio
only  obligations  maturing  within  one  year  from  the  date  of acquisition,
maintains an average maturity of all investments of 120 days or less, values its
portfolio at amortized cost and seeks to maintain a net asset value of $1.00 per
share. It provides checkwriting and expedited wire redemption privileges for its
shareholders.  Tax-Free  Reserves  has  the  objective  of  providing,   through
investment  in  a professionally  managed portfolio  of high  quality short-term
municipal obligations, as high  a level of current  interest income exempt  from
Federal  income  tax  as is  consistent  with  preservation of  capital  and the
maintenance of  liquidity.  Tax-Free  Reserves  may  include  in  its  portfolio
municipal obligations rated Aaa, Aa, MIG-1, VMIG-1 or Prime-1 by Moody's or AAA,
AA,    SP-1    or    A-1    by   Standard    &    Poor's,    unrated   municipal
 
                                      A-25
<PAGE>
obligations that,  in  the  opinion  of  the  investment  adviser,  have  credit
characteristics equivalent to obligations rated as above, tax-exempt obligations
backed  by the U.S. Government, and temporary investments that may be subject to
Federal income tax.
 
THE CALIFORNIA FUND
 
    The California Fund has  the objective of  providing, through investment  in
professionally managed portfolios of California municipal obligations, as high a
level  of current interest income exempt from both Federal and California income
taxes as is consistent with the investment policies of each of the portfolios of
the California Fund  and with  preservation of  capital. Each  portfolio of  the
California  Fund may include  temporary investments that may  be subject to tax.
California Unitholders may reinvest in one of three portfolios of the California
Fund: The Nuveen California Tax-Free  Value Fund, the Nuveen California  Insured
Tax-Free Value Fund and the Nuveen California Tax-Free Money Market Fund.
 
    The  Nuveen California  Tax-Free Value  Fund invests  primarily in long-term
investment grade  California tax-exempt  bonds (I.E.,  bonds rated  in the  four
highest  categories by Moody's  or Standard &  Poor's or, if  unrated, that have
equivalent credit characteristics). The Nuveen California Insured Tax-Free Value
Fund invests  primarily in  the same  type of  investments as  the Special  Bond
Portfolio, each of which is covered by insurance guaranteeing the timely payment
of  principal  and  interest  or  is backed  by  a  deposit  of  U.S. Government
securities.
 
    The Nuveen  California  Tax-Free  Money Market  Fund  invests  primarily  in
high-quality  short term  California tax-exempt money  market instruments (I.E.,
obligations rated in the two highest categories by Moody's or Standard &  Poor's
or,  if unrated,  that have  equivalent credit  characteristics). This portfolio
will include  only  obligations  maturing  within one  year  from  the  date  of
acquisition, will maintain an average maturity of all investments of 120 days or
less, will value its portfolio at amortized cost and will seek to maintain a net
asset value of $1.00 per share. The Nuveen California Tax-Free Money Market Fund
provides for an expedited wire redemption privilege.
 
THE TAX-FREE BOND FUND
 
    The  Tax-Free Bond Fund consists of  the Nuveen Massachusetts Tax-Free Value
Fund, the Nuveen New  York Tax-Free Value Fund,  the Nuveen Ohio Tax-Free  Value
Fund,  and the Nuveen New  Jersey Tax-Free Value Fund,  which are each available
for reinvestment to Unitholders  who are residents of  the state for which  such
portfolio  is  named. The  Tax-Free Bond  Fund has  the objective  of providing,
through investment in a professionally managed portfolio of municipal bonds,  as
high  a level of current interest income exempt both from Federal income tax and
from the  income  tax  imposed  by  each  portfolio's  designated  state  as  is
consistent  with preservation of capital. The  Tax-Free Bond Fund may include in
each of its  portfolios tax-exempt  bonds rated Baa  or BBB  or better;  unrated
bonds   which,  in   the  opinion  of   the  investment   adviser,  have  credit
characteristics equivalent to  bonds rated  Baa or  BBB or  better; and  certain
temporary  investments, including securities the  interest income from which may
be subject to Federal and state income tax.
 
THE INSURED BOND FUND
 
    The Insured Bond Fund  consists of the Nuveen  Insured Municipal Bond  Fund,
the  Nuveen Massachusetts  Insured Tax-Free Value  Fund and the  Nuveen New York
Insured Tax-Free  Value  Fund, which  are  each available  for  reinvestment  to
Unitholders.  (The Massachusetts and  New York Portfolios  are available only to
those Unitholders who  are residents  of the state  for which  the portfolio  is
named.) The Insured Bond Fund has the objective of providing, through investment
in  professionally managed  portfolios of  municipal bonds,  as high  a level of
current interest income exempt from both Federal income tax and, in the case  of
 
                                      A-26
<PAGE>
designated  state portfolios,  from the income  tax imposed  by each portfolio's
designated state, as  is consistent  with preservation of  capital. The  Insured
Bond  Fund may include in each of its portfolios the same type of investments as
the Tax-Free Bond Fund, each of  which is covered by insurance guaranteeing  the
timely  payment of  principal and  interest or  is backed  by a  deposit of U.S.
Government securities.
 
THE MONEY MARKET FUND
 
    The Money Market Fund  consists of the  Nuveen Massachusetts Tax-Free  Money
Market  Fund and the Nuveen New York  Tax-Free Money Market Fund, which are each
available for reinvestment  to Unitholders who  are residents of  the state  for
which  such portfolio is named. The Money Market Fund includes in its portfolios
only obligations  maturing  within  one  year  from  the  date  of  acquisition,
maintains  an average  maturity of  120 days or  less, values  its portfolios at
amortized cost and seeks to maintain a  net asset value of $1.00 per share.  The
Money  Market  Fund  has  the  objective  of  providing,  through  investment in
professionally  managed  portfolios   of  high   quality  short-term   municipal
obligations, as high a level of current interest income exempt both from Federal
income  tax and from the income tax imposed by each portfolio's designated state
as is consistent with stability of  principal and the maintenance of  liquidity.
The  Money  Market  Fund  may  include  in  each  of  its  portfolios  municipal
obligations rated Aaa, Aa, MIG-1, MIG-2, VMIG-1,  VMIG-2, Prime 1 or Prime 2  by
Moody's  or  AAA, AA,  SP-1,  SP-2, A-1  or A-2  by  Standard &  Poor's; unrated
municipal obligations  that, in  the  opinion of  the investment  adviser,  have
credit  characteristics equivalent to obligations  rated as above; and temporary
investments that may be subject to Federal and state income tax.
 
THE MULTISTATE TRUST
 
    The Multistate Trust consists of the Nuveen Arizona Tax-Free Value Fund, the
Nuveen Florida Tax-Free Value Fund, the Nuveen Maryland Tax-Free Value Fund, the
Nuveen Michigan Tax-Free Value Fund, the Nuveen New Jersey Tax-Free Value  Fund,
the  Nuveen Pennsylvania  Tax-Free Value Fund  and the Nuveen  Virginia Tax Free
Value Fund, which  are each available  for reinvestment to  Unitholders who  are
residents  of the state for which such  portfolio is named. The Multistate Trust
has the objective of providing,  through investment in a professionally  managed
portfolio  of municipal bonds, as high a level of current interest income exempt
from both regular Federal  income tax and the  applicable state personal  income
tax  as is  consistent with  preservation of  capital. The  Multistate Trust may
include in  each of  its portfolios  tax-exempt bonds  rated "Baa"  or "BBB"  or
better,  unrated bonds  which, in  the opinion  of the  investment advisor, have
credit characteristics  equivalent to  bonds  rated "baa"  or "BBB"  or  better,
limited  to  no more  than 20%  of  the Multistate  Trust's assets,  and certain
temporary investments that may be subject to Federal and state income tax.
 
    Each person who purchases Units of a  Trust may become a participant in  the
Accumulation  Plan and elect  to have his  or her distributions  on Units of the
Trust invested directly in shares of one of the Accumulation Funds.  Reinvesting
Unitholders   may  select  any  interest  distribution  plan.  Thereafter,  each
distribution  of  interest  income  or  principal  on  the  participant's  Units
(principal  only in  the case of  a Unitholder  who has chosen  to reinvest only
principal distributions) will, on the applicable distribution date, or the  next
day  on which the New  York Stock Exchange is  normally open ("business day") if
the distribution  date is  not  a business  day,  automatically be  received  by
Shareholder  Services, Inc., 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.
 
                                      A-27
<PAGE>
    Shareholder Services, Inc. will mail to each participant in the Accumulation
Plan  a quarterly  statement containing a  record of  all transactions involving
purchases of Accumulation Fund shares (or fractions thereof) with Trust interest
distributions or as a result of reinvestment of Accumulation Fund dividends. Any
distribution of principal used to purchase  shares of an Accumulation Fund  will
be  separately  confirmed by  Shareholder Services,  Inc. 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.
 
15.  HOW DETAILED ARE REPORTS TO UNITHOLDERS?
 
The  Trustee  shall  furnish Unitholders  of  a  Trust in  connection  with each
distribution, a statement of the amount of  interest and, if any, the amount  of
other  receipts (received  since the preceding  distribution) being distributed,
expressed in each case  as a dollar  amount representing the  pro rata share  of
each Unit of a Trust outstanding and a year to date summary of all distributions
paid  on said Units.  Within a reasonable period  of time after  the end of each
calendar year, the Trustee shall furnish to  each person who at any time  during
the  calendar  year was  a registered  Unitholder  of a  Trust a  statement with
respect to  such  Trust  (i)  as to  the  Interest  Account:  interest  received
(including  amounts  representing  interest  received  upon  any  disposition of
Bonds), and, except  for any  State Trust, the  percentage of  such interest  by
states  in which the issuers  of the Bonds are  located, deductions for fees and
expenses of such Trust, redemption of Units and the balance remaining after such
distributions and deductions,  expressed in  each case  both as  a total  dollar
amount  and as  a dollar  amount representing  the pro  rata share  of each Unit
outstanding on the  last business  day of  such calendar  year; (ii)  as to  the
Principal  Account: the dates of  disposition of any Bonds  and the net proceeds
received therefrom (excluding  any portion representing  accrued interest),  the
amount  paid for purchase of Replacement  Bonds, the amount paid upon redemption
of Units, deductions for  payment of applicable taxes  and fees and expenses  of
the  Trustee, and the balance remaining  after such distributions and deductions
expressed both as a total dollar amount and as a dollar amount representing  the
pro  rata  share of  each  Unit outstanding  on the  last  business day  of such
calendar year;  (iii)  a  list  of  the Bonds  held  and  the  number  of  Units
outstanding  on the last business day of such calendar year; (iv) the Unit Value
based upon the last computation thereof made during such calendar year; and  (v)
amounts actually distributed during such calendar year from the Interest Account
and  from  the Principal  Account, separately  stated,  expressed both  as total
dollar amounts and  as dollar amounts  representing the pro  rata share of  each
Unit outstanding.
 
    Each  annual statement will reflect pertinent  information in respect of all
plans of distribution so that Unitholders may be informed regarding the  results
of other plans of distribution.
 
16.  UNIT VALUE AND EVALUATION
 
The  value of each  Trust is determined by  the Sponsor on the  basis of (1) the
cash on hand in the Trust or moneys  in the process of being collected, (2)  the
value  of the Bonds in  the Trust based on  the BID prices of  the Bonds and (3)
interest  accrued  thereon   not  subject  to   collection,  LESS  (1)   amounts
representing    taxes   or    governmental   charges   payable    out   of   the
 
                                      A-28
<PAGE>
Trust and (2) the accrued expenses of the Trust. The result of such  computation
is  divided by  the number  of Units of  such Trust  outstanding as  of the date
thereof to  determine the  per Unit  value  ("Unit Value")  of such  Trust.  The
Sponsor  may determine the value of the Bonds  in each Trust (1) on the basis of
current BID prices of the Bonds obtained from dealers or brokers who customarily
deal in bonds comparable to those held by  the Trust, (2) if bid prices are  not
available for any of the Bonds, on the basis of bid prices for comparable bonds,
(3)  by causing the value of the Bonds to be determined by others engaged in the
practice of evaluating,  quoting or appraising  comparable bonds or  (4) by  any
combination  of the above. Although the Unit Value of each Trust is based on the
BID prices of  the Bonds,  the Units  are sold initially  to the  public at  the
Public Offering Price based on the OFFERING prices of the Bonds.
 
    Because  the insurance obtained  by the Sponsor  or by the  issuers of Bonds
with respect to  the Bonds in  the Insured  Trusts and with  respect to  insured
Bonds  in Traditional Trusts is effective so long as such Bonds are outstanding,
such insurance will be  taken into account in  determining the bid and  offering
prices  of such  Bonds and therefore  some value attributable  to such insurance
will be included in the value of Units of Trusts that include such Bonds.
 
17.  HOW UNITS OF THE TRUSTS ARE DISTRIBUTED TO THE PUBLIC
 
John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated is the Sponsor and sole Underwriter of the Units.
It is  the  intention  of  the  Sponsor  to  qualify  Units  of  National,  Long
Intermediate,  Intermediate, Short Intermediate  and Short Term  Trusts for sale
under the laws of  substantially all of  the states, and  Units of State  Trusts
only in the state for which the Trust is named and selected other states.
 
    Promptly following the deposit of Bonds in exchange for Units of the Trusts,
it  is the practice of the Sponsor to place all of the Units as collateral for a
letter or letters of credit from one or more commercial banks under an agreement
to release such Units from time to  time as needed for distribution. Under  such
an  arrangement  the Sponsor  pays  such banks  compensation  based on  the then
current interest  rate. This  is  a normal  warehousing arrangement  during  the
period of distribution of the Units to public investors.
 
    The  Sponsor plans to allow a discount  to brokers and dealers in connection
with  the  primary  distribution   of  Units  and   also  in  secondary   market
transactions. The primary market discounts are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         DISCOUNT PER UNIT
                                --------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                             <C>         <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
                                 NATIONAL    LONG INTER-                  SHORT INTER-
                                AND STATE      MEDIATE     INTERMEDIATE      MEDIATE     SHORT TERM
NUMBER OF UNITS*                  TRUSTS       TRUSTS         TRUSTS         TRUSTS        TRUSTS
- ------------------------------  ----------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -----------
Less than 500.................    $3.20         $2.90          $2.70          $2.00         $1.50
500 but less than 1,000.......     3.20         2.90           2.70           2.00          1.50
1,000 but less than 2,500.....     3.20         2.70           2.50           1.80          1.30
2,500 but less than 5,000.....     3.20         2.45           2.25           1.55          1.05
5,000 but less than 10,000....     2.50         2.45           2.25           1.55          1.05
10,000 but less than 25,000...     2.00         2.00           2.00           1.30           .80
25,000 but less than 50,000...     1.75         1.75           1.75           1.30           .60
50,000 or more................     1.75         1.50           1.50           1.00           .60
</TABLE>
 
*Breakpoint  sales charges and related dealer concessions are computed both on a
 dollar basis and  on the  basis of  the number  of Units  purchased, using  the
 equivalent  of 500 Units to  $50,000, 2,500 Units to  $250,000 etc. and will be
 applied on that basis which is more favorable to the purchaser.
 
    The Sponsor currently intends  to maintain a secondary  market for Units  of
each  Trust. See  Section 7.  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 Section 6, and adjusted to
 
                                      A-29
<PAGE>
reflect the cash position of the Trust principal account, and will vary with the
size of the purchase as shown in the following table:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               AMOUNT OF PURCHASE*
                            -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                         <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>
                                        $50,000   $100,000   $250,000   $500,000   $1,000,000  $2,500,000
                              UNDER       TO         TO         TO         TO          TO          TO      $5,000,000
YEARS TO MATURITY            $50,000    $99,999   $249,999   $499,999   $999,999   $2,499,999  $4,999,999   OR MORE
- --------------------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Less than 1...............      0          0          0          0          0          0           0           0
1 but less than 2.........    1.00%      .90%       .85%       .80%       .70%        .55%       .467%       .389%
2 but less than 3.........    1.30%      1.20%      1.10%      1.00%      .90%        .73%       .634%       .538%
3 but less than 4.........    1.60%      1.45%      1.35%      1.25%      1.10%       .90%       .781%       .662%
4 but less than 5.........    2.00%      1.85%      1.75%      1.55%      1.40%      1.25%       1.082%      .914%
5 but less than 7.........    2.30%      2.15%      1.95%      1.80%      1.65%      1.50%       1.320%      1.140%
7 but less than 10........    2.60%      2.45%      2.25%      2.10%      1.95%      1.70%       1.496%      1.292%
10 but less than 13.......    3.00%      2.80%      2.60%      2.45%      2.30%      2.00%       1.747%      1.494%
13 but less than 16.......    3.25%      3.15%      3.00%      2.75%      2.50%      2.15%       1.878%      1.606%
16 or more................    3.50%      3.50%      3.40%      3.35%      3.00%      2.50%       2.185%      1.873%
</TABLE>
 
 *Breakpoint sales charges and related dealer concessions are computed both on a
  dollar basis and  on the basis  of the  number of Units  purchased, using  the
  equivalent of 500 Units to $50,000, 2,500 Units to $250,000, etc., and will be
  applied on that basis which is more favorable to the purchaser.
 
    The  Sponsor reserves the  right to change  the foregoing dealer concessions
from time to time.
 
    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  primary  or
secondary market purchases in which an investor purchases any number of Units at
the  Public Offering Price for non-breakpoint purchases minus the concession the
sponsor typically allows  to brokers  and dealers  for non-breakpoint  purchases
(see Section 6).
 
    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.
 
    To facilitate the handling of transactions, sales of Units shall be  limited
to  transactions involving a minimum of either  $5,000 or 50 Units, whichever is
less. The Sponsor reserves the right to  reject, in whole or in part, any  order
for the purchase of Units.
 
18.  OWNERSHIP AND TRANSFER OF UNITS
 
The  ownership of  Units is  evidenced by book  entry positions  recorded on the
books and records of the Trustee  unless the Unitholder expressly requests  that
the  purchased Units be evidenced in Certificate form. The Trustee is authorized
to treat as the owner of Units that person who at the time is registered as such
on the books of the Trustee. Any  Unitholder who holds a Certificate may  change
to  book entry ownership by submitting to the Trustee the Certificate along with
a written request that the Units represented by such Certificate be held in book
entry form. Likewise, a Unitholder who holds Units in book entry form may obtain
a Certificate for such  Units by written  request to the  Trustee. Units may  be
held in
 
                                      A-30
<PAGE>
denominations  of one  Unit or  any multiple  or fraction  thereof. Fractions of
Units are computed  to three  decimal places.  Any Certificates  issued will  be
numbered  serially for identification, and are  issued in fully registered form,
transferable only  on the  books of  the Trustee.  Book entry  Unitholders  will
receive a Book Entry Position Confirmation reflecting their ownership.
 
    Certificates  for  Units will  bear an  appropriate  notation on  their face
indicating which plan of distribution has been selected. When a change is  made,
the   existing  Certificates  must  be  surrendered   to  the  Trustee  and  new
Certificates issued to  reflect the  currently effective  plan of  distribution.
There will be no charge for this service. Holders of book entry Units can change
their  plan of distribution  by making a  written request to  the Trustee, which
will issue a new Book Entry Position Confirmation to reflect such change.
 
    Units are transferable by  making a written request  to the Trustee and,  in
the  case of Units  evidenced by Certificate(s),  by presenting and surrendering
such Certificate(s) to the  Trustee, at its corporate  trust office in New  York
City, properly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of
transfer. The Certificate(s) should be sent registered or certified mail for the
protection  of the Unitholder.  Each Unitholder must  sign such written request,
and such Certificate(s) or transfer instrument,  exactly as his name appears  on
(a)  the face of the Certificate(s) representing the Units to be transferred, or
(b) the  Book  Entry  Position  Confirmation(s) relating  to  the  Units  to  be
transferred.  Such signature(s) must be guaranteed  by a guarantor acceptable to
the Trustee. In certain instances  the Trustee may require additional  documents
such  as,  but  not  limited  to,  trust  instruments,  certificates  of  death,
appointments  as  executor  or   administrator  or  certificates  of   corporate
authority.  Mutilated Certificates must  be surrendered to  the Trustee in order
for a replacement Certificate to be issued.
 
    Although at the date hereof  no charge is made  and none is contemplated,  a
Unitholder  may be  required to  pay $2.00 to  the Trustee  for each Certificate
reissued or transfer of Units requested and to pay any governmental charge which
may be imposed in connection therewith.
 
REPLACEMENT OF LOST, STOLEN OR DESTROYED CERTIFICATES.
 
    To obtain a  new Certificate replacing  one that has  been lost, stolen,  or
destroyed,   the   Unitholder   must  furnish   the   Trustee   with  sufficient
indemnification and pay such expenses as the Trustee may incur.
 
    The indemnification protects the  Trustee, Sponsor, and  Trust from risk  if
the original Certificate is presented for transfer or redemption by a person who
purchased  it  in good  faith,  for value  and without  notice  of any  fraud or
irregularity.
 
    This indemnification  must  be  in the  form  of  an Open  Penalty  Bond  of
Indemnification.  The premium for such  an indemnity bond may  vary from time to
time, 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.
 
19.  HOW UNITS MAY BE REDEEMED WITHOUT CHARGE
 
Unitholders  may redeem all or a portion of  their Units by (1) making a written
request for such redemption (book entry Unitholders may use the redemption  form
on the reverse side of their Book Entry Position Confirmation) to the Trustee at
its  corporate trust office in New York City (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 in  Section  18 above,  and  (3) payment  of  applicable  governmental
charges,
 
                                      A-31
<PAGE>
if  any. Certificates  should be  sent only by  registered or  certified mail to
minimize the possibility of  their being lost  or stolen. In  order to effect  a
redemption  of Units  evidenced by a  Certificate, a Unitholder  must tender the
Certificate to  the  Trustee  or  provide  satisfactory  indemnity  required  in
connection  with lost,  stolen or  destroyed Certificates  (See Section  18). No
redemption fee will be charged. A Unitholder may authorize the Trustee to  honor
telephone  instructions for  the redemption  of Units  held in  book entry form.
Units represented by Certificates may not be redeemed by telephone. The proceeds
of Units redeemed by telephone will be sent by check either to the Unitholder at
the address specified on his account or to a financial institution specified  by
the Unitholder for credit to the account of the Unitholder. A Unitholder wishing
to   use  this  method  of  redemption  must  complete  a  Telephone  Redemption
Authorization Form and  furnish the  Form to the  Trustee. Telephone  Redemption
Authorization   Forms   can   be  obtained   from   a   Unitholder's  registered
representative or by calling  the Trustee. Once the  completed Form is on  file,
the  Trustee  will honor  telephone redemption  requests by  any person.  If the
telephone redemption request is  received prior to 4:00  p.m. eastern time,  the
Unitholder  will be  entitled to receive  for each Unit  tendered the Redemption
Price as determined above.  A telephone redemption  request received after  4:00
p.m. eastern time will be treated as having been received the following business
day. The redemption proceeds will be mailed within seven calendar days following
the  telephone redemption  request. Telephone  redemptions are  limited to 1,000
Units or less. 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 seventh calendar day following the date of tender, or if the seventh
calendar day is not a business day, on the first business day prior thereto, 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 on the date of tender  as defined hereafter, plus accrued interest
to, but  not  including,  the  fifth  business day  after  the  date  of  tender
("Redemption  Price"). The  price received upon  redemption may be  more or less
than the amount paid by  the Unitholder depending on the  value of the Bonds  on
the  date of  tender. Such  value will vary  with market  and credit conditions,
including changes in  interest rate  levels. Unitholders should  check with  the
Trustee  or  their broker  to determine  the  Redemption Price  before tendering
Units.
 
    While the Trustee has the power to determine Redemption Price when Units are
tendered, the authority has  by practice been delegated  by the Trustee to  John
Nuveen  & Co.  Incorporated, which  determines the  Redemption Price  on a daily
basis.
 
    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 on any day
on which the New  York Stock Exchange (the  "Exchange") is normally closed,  the
date  of tender  is the  next day on  which such  Exchange is  normally open for
trading and such request will  be deemed to have been  made on such day and  the
redemption will be effected at the Redemption Price computed on that day.
 
    Accrued  interest paid  on redemption shall  be withdrawn  from the Interest
Account of the  appropriate Trust or,  if the balance  therein is  insufficient,
from  the Principal Account of such Trust.  All other amounts paid on redemption
shall be withdrawn from the Principal Account. The Trustee is empowered to  sell
underlying  Bonds of a  Trust in order  to make funds  available for redemption.
(See Section 21.) Units so redeemed shall be cancelled.
 
                                      A-32
<PAGE>
    To the extent that Bonds  are sold from a Trust,  the size and diversity  of
such  Trust will  be reduced. Such  sales may be  required at a  time when Bonds
would not  otherwise  be  sold and  might  result  in lower  prices  than  might
otherwise be realized.
 
    The  Redemption Price is  determined on the  basis of the  BID prices of the
Bonds in each Trust, while  the initial Public Offering  Price of Units will  be
determined  on the  basis of the  OFFERING prices of  the Bonds as  of 4:00 p.m.
eastern time on any day on which  the Exchange is normally open for trading  and
such determination is made. As of any given time, the difference between the bid
and  offering  prices of  such Bonds  may be  expected  to average  1% to  2% of
principal amount in the case of  Bonds in National, Long Intermediate and  State
Trusts,  3/4%  to  1  1/2% in  the  case  of Bonds  in  Intermediate,  and Short
Intermediate Trusts and 1/2% to 3/4% in the case of Bonds in Short Term  Trusts.
In  the case of actively traded Bonds, the difference may be as little as 1/4 to
1/2 of 1%, and in  the case of inactively  traded Bonds such difference  usually
will  not exceed 3%. The difference between the aggregate offering prices of the
Bonds in each Trust  and the aggregate  bid prices thereof  on the business  day
prior  to  the Date  of Deposit  is shown  in the  discussion of  specific trust
matters.
 
    The right  of redemption  may be  suspended and  payment postponed  for  any
period  during  which the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission  determines that
trading in the municipal bond market is restricted or an emergency exists, as  a
result  of  which  disposal  or  evaluation  of  the  Bonds  is  not  reasonably
practicable, or for such other periods as the Securities and Exchange Commission
may by order permit.
 
    Under regulations issued by the  Internal Revenue Service, the Trustee  will
be  required to withhold 31% 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."
 
20.  HOW UNITS MAY BE PURCHASED BY THE SPONSOR
 
The  Trustee will notify the  Sponsor of any tender  of Units for redemption. If
the Sponsor's bid in  the secondary market  at that time  equals or exceeds  the
Redemption  Price it may purchase such Units by notifying the Trustee before the
close of business on  the second succeeding business  day and by making  payment
therefor  to  the Unitholder  not  later than  the  day on  which  payment would
otherwise have been made by the Trustee. (See Section 19.) 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.
 
    The  Public Offering  Price upon  resale of any  Units thus  acquired by the
Sponsor will be  calculated in accordance  with the procedure  described in  the
then currently effective prospectus relating to such Units. Any profit resulting
from  the resale of  such Units will  belong to the  Sponsor which likewise will
bear any loss resulting from a  lower Public Offering Price or Redemption  Price
subsequent to its acquisition of such Units.
 
                                      A-33
<PAGE>
21.  HOW BONDS MAY BE REMOVED FROM THE TRUSTS
 
Bonds will be removed from a Trust as they mature or are redeemed by the issuers
thereof.  See  the "Schedules  of Investments"  and "General  Trust Information"
under Section 3 for a discussion of call provisions of portfolio Bonds.
 
    The Indenture also  empowers the Trustee  to sell Bonds  for the purpose  of
redeeming  Units tendered by any Unitholder, and for the payment of expenses for
which income may not be available. Under the Indenture the Sponsor is  obligated
to  provide the Trustee with a current list of Bonds in each Trust to be sold in
such circumstances. In deciding which Bonds  should be sold the Sponsor  intends
to  consider, among  other things, such  factors as: (1)  market conditions; (2)
market  prices  of  the  Bonds;  (3)  the  effect  on  income  distributions  to
Unitholders  of the sale of various Bonds; (4) the effect on principal amount of
underlying Bonds  per Unit  of the  sale  of various  Bonds; (5)  the  financial
condition of the issuers; and (6) the effect of the sale of various Bonds on the
investment  character of the Trust. Such sales, if required, could result in the
sale of Bonds by the Trustee at prices less than original cost to the Trust.  To
the extent Bonds are sold, the size and diversity of such Trust will be reduced.
 
    In  addition, the  Sponsor is empowered  to direct the  Trustee to liquidate
Bonds upon the happening of certain other events, such as default in the payment
of principal and/or interest, an action of the issuer that will adversely affect
its ability to continue payment of the  principal of and interest on its  Bonds,
or  an  adverse  change  in  market, revenue  or  credit  factors  affecting the
investment character of the Bonds. If a default in the payment of the  principal
of  and/or interest  on any  of the Bonds  occurs, and  if the  Sponsor fails to
instruct the Trustee whether to  sell or continue to  hold such Bonds within  30
days  after notification  by the  Trustee to  the Sponsor  of such  default, the
Indenture provides that  the Trustee  shall liquidate said  Bonds forthwith  and
shall not be liable for any loss so incurred.
 
    In  connection with its determination  as to the sale  or liquidation of any
Bonds, the Sponsor  will consider the  Bond's then current  rating, but  because
such  ratings are the opinions of the rating agencies as to the quality of Bonds
they undertake to rate and not  absolute standards of quality, the Sponsor  will
exercise its independent judgment as to Bond creditworthiness.
 
    The Sponsor may also direct the Trustee to liquidate Bonds in a Trust if the
Bonds  in  the  Trust  are  the  subject  of  an  advanced  refunding, generally
considered to be when  refunding bonds are issued  and the proceeds thereof  are
deposited  in irrevocable trust to retire the refunded Bonds on their redemption
date.
 
    Except as stated in Section 4 regarding the limited right of substitution of
Replacement Bonds for Failed Bonds, and except for refunding securities that may
be exchanged for Bonds under certain conditions specified in the Indenture,  the
Indenture  does  not permit  either the  Sponsor  or the  Trustee to  acquire or
deposit bonds either in addition  to, or in substitution  for, any of the  Bonds
initially deposited in a Trust.
 
22.  INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRUSTEE
 
The Trustee is United States Trust Company of New York, with its principal place
of  business at 114 West 47th Street, New York, New York 10036 and its corporate
trust office at  770 Broadway,  New York, New  York 10003.  United States  Trust
Company  of New York, established in  1853, has, since its organization, engaged
primarily in the  management of trust  and agency accounts  for individuals  and
corporations. The Trustee is a member of the New York Clearing House Association
and  is subject to supervision and examination by the Superintendent of Banks of
the State of New York, the  Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the  Board
of  Governors of the Federal Reserve System.  In connection with the storage and
handling of  certain Bonds  deposited in  the Trusts,  the Trustee  may use  the
services of The
 
                                      A-34
<PAGE>
Depository  Trust Company. These services would include safekeeping of the Bonds
and coupon-clipping,  computer book-entry  transfer and  institutional  delivery
services.  The  Depository  Trust Company  is  a limited  purpose  trust company
organized under  the Banking  Law of  the State  of New  York, a  member of  the
Federal  Reserve System  and a clearing  agency registered  under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934.
 
LIMITATIONS ON LIABILITIES OF SPONSOR AND TRUSTEE
 
    The Sponsor and the Trustee shall  be under no liability to Unitholders  for
taking  any action or for  refraining from any action  in good faith pursuant to
the Indenture, or for errors in judgment, but shall be liable only for their own
negligence, lack of good faith or  willful misconduct. The Trustee shall not  be
liable for depreciation or loss incurred by reason of the sale by the Trustee of
any  of the Bonds. In the  event of the failure of  the Sponsor to act under the
Indenture, the Trustee may act thereunder and shall not be liable for any action
taken by it in good faith under the Indenture.
 
    The Trustee shall not be liable for any taxes or other governmental  charges
imposed  upon or in respect of the Bonds or upon the interest thereon or upon it
as Trustee under  the Indenture or  upon or in  respect of any  Trust which  the
Trustee  may be required  to pay under any  present or future  law of the United
States of  America or  of any  other taxing  authority having  jurisdiction.  In
addition,  the  Indenture  contains  other  customary  provisions  limiting  the
liability of the Trustee.
 
SUCCESSOR TRUSTEES AND SPONSORS
 
    The Trustee or any successor trustee  may resign by executing an  instrument
of resignation in writing and filing same with the Sponsor and mailing a copy of
a  notice of resignation to all Unitholders  then of record. Upon receiving such
notice, the Sponsor is required to promptly appoint a successor trustee. If  the
Trustee becomes incapable of acting or is adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent, or a
receiver  or other public officer shall take  charge of its property or affairs,
the  Sponsor  may  remove  the  Trustee  and  appoint  a  successor  by  written
instrument.  The resignation or  removal of a  trustee and the  appointment of a
successor trustee shall become effective only when the successor trustee accepts
its appointment as such. Any successor trustee shall be a corporation authorized
to exercise  corporate  trust  powers, having  capital,  surplus  and  undivided
profits of not less than $5,000,000. Any corporation into which a trustee may be
merged  or with which it may be  consolidated, or any corporation resulting from
any merger or consolidation to  which a trustee shall be  a party, shall be  the
successor trustee.
 
    If  upon resignation of  a trustee no  successor has been  appointed and has
accepted the appointment within 30 days after notification, the retiring trustee
may apply  to  a  court of  competent  jurisdiction  for the  appointment  of  a
successor.
 
    If the Sponsor fails to undertake any of its duties under the Indenture, and
no  express  provision is  made for  action by  the Trustee  in such  event, the
Trustee may, in addition to its other  powers under the Indenture (1) appoint  a
successor sponsor or (2) terminate the Indenture and liquidate the Trusts.
 
23.  INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPONSOR
 
John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated, the Sponsor and Underwriter, was founded in 1898
and  is  the oldest  and  largest investment  banking  firm specializing  in the
underwriting and distribution of tax-exempt securities and maintains the largest
research department in the investment  banking community devoted exclusively  to
the  analysis of municipal securities. In  1961 the Sponsor began sponsoring the
Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust and, since this  time, it has issued more than  $30
billion   in   tax-exempt   unit   trusts,   including   over   $8   billion  in
 
                                      A-35
<PAGE>
insured trusts.  The  Sponsor  is  also  principal  underwriter  of  the  Nuveen
Municipal Bond Fund, Inc., the Nuveen Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund, Inc., Nuveen
Tax-Free  Reserves, Inc., Nuveen California Tax-Free Fund, Inc., Nuveen Tax-Free
Bond Fund, Inc.,  Nuveen Insured Tax-Free  Bond Fund, Inc.  and Nuveen  Tax-Free
Money   Market  Fund,  Inc.,  all   registered  open-end  management  investment
companies, 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  California
Municipal Income Fund, Inc., Nuveen New York 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 New  York 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
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 New Jersey Quality Income
Municipal Fund, Inc., Nuveen  Ohio Quality Income  Municipal Fund, Inc.,  Nuveen
Pennsylvania   Quality  Income  Municipal  Fund,  Nuveen  Texas  Quality  Income
Municipal Fund, Nuveen  California Quality Income  Municipal Fund, Inc.,  Nuveen
New  York Quality Income Municipal 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  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 Ohio Premium Income  Municipal
Fund,  Inc.,  Nuveen Pennsylvania  Premium Income  Municipal Fund,  Nuveen Texas
Premium Income Municipal  Fund, Nuveen  Premium Income Municipal  Fund 4,  Inc.,
Nuveen  Pennsylvania  Premium Income  Municipal Fund  2, Nuveen  Insured Florida
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 Insured  New York Premium  Income Municipal Fund  2, Nuveen New
Jersey Premium  Income  Municipal  Fund  2,  Nuveen  Washington  Premium  Income
Municipal  Fund, Nuveen Michigan Premium Income Municipal Fund 2, 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 New Jersey Premium Income Municipal Fund 3, Nuveen
Florida Premium Income Municipal Fund, Nuveen New York Premium Income  Municipal
Fund,  Nuveen  California  Premium Income  Municipal  Fund,  Nuveen Pennsylvania
Premium Income Municipal Fund 3, Nuveen Maryland Income Municipal Fund 2, Nuveen
Virginia Premium Income Municipal Fund  2, Nuveen Ohio Premium Income  Municipal
Fund   2,   Nuveen   Insured   Premium   Income   Municipal   Fund   2,   Nuveen
 
                                      A-36
<PAGE>
California Premium Income Municipal Fund 2, all registered closed-end management
investment  companies.  These  registered  open-end  and  closed-end  investment
companies  currently have  approximately $32.8 billion  in tax-exempt securities
under management.  Nationwide, more  than  1,000,000 individual  investors  have
purchased  Nuveen's tax  exempt trusts  and funds.  The present  corporation was
organized in 1967 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nuveen Corporation,  successor
to  the original John Nuveen & Co. founded  in 1898 as a sole proprietorship and
incorporated in  1953.  In  1974,  John  Nuveen  &  Co.  Incorporated  became  a
wholly-owned  subsidiary of The  St. Paul Companies,  Inc., a financial services
management company  located in  St. Paul,  Minnesota. On  May 19,  1992,  common
shares  comprising a  minority interest  in The  John Nuveen  Company ("JNC"), a
newly organized corporation which holds all  of the shares of Nuveen, were  sold
to  the  general  public in  an  initial  public offering.  St.  Paul  retains a
controlling interest in  JNC with over  70% of  JNC's shares. The  Sponsor is  a
member  of  the  National  Association  of  Securities  Dealers,  Inc.  and  the
Securities Industry Association and has its principal offices located in Chicago
(333 W. Wacker Drive) and New York  (Swiss Bank Tower, 10 East 50th Street).  It
maintains 14 regional offices.
 
24.  OTHER INFORMATION
AMENDMENT OF INDENTURE
 
    The  Indenture may  be amended  by the Trustee  and the  Sponsor without the
consent of any of  the Unitholders (1)  to cure any ambiguity  or to correct  or
supplement  any provision thereof which may be defective or inconsistent, or (2)
to make such  other provisions as  shall not adversely  affect the  Unitholders,
provided,  however, that the Indenture may not be amended to increase the number
of Units in any Trust or to permit the deposit or acquisition of bonds either in
addition to, or in substitution for any of the Bonds initially deposited in  any
Trust  except as stated in Section 4 regarding the limited right of substitution
of Replacement Bonds and  except for the substitution  of refunding bonds  under
certain circumstances. The Trustee shall advise the Unitholders of any amendment
promptly after execution thereof.
 
TERMINATION OF INDENTURE
 
    Each  Trust may be liquidated at any time  by written consent of 100% of the
Unitholders or by  the Trustee when  the value of  such Trust, as  shown by  any
evaluation,  is less than 20% of the original principal amount of such Trust and
will be  liquidated  by  the Trustee  in  the  event that  Units  not  yet  sold
aggregating  more  than 60%  of the  Units originally  created are  tendered for
redemption by the Sponsor thereby reducing the  net worth of such Trust to  less
than  40%  of the  principal amount  of  the Bonds  originally deposited  in the
portfolio. (See "Essential Information Regarding the Trusts.") The sale of Bonds
from the Trusts upon  termination may result in  realization of a lesser  amount
than  might otherwise be realized  if such sale were  not required at such time.
For this  reason,  among  others,  the amount  realized  by  a  Unitholder  upon
termination   may  be  less  than  the  principal  amount  of  Bonds  originally
represented by the Units held by  such Unitholder. The Indenture will  terminate
upon the redemption, sale or other disposition of the last Bond held thereunder,
but  in no event shall it continue beyond the end of the calendar year preceding
the fiftieth anniversary of its execution for National and State Trusts,  beyond
the  end  of  the  calendar  year preceding  the  twentieth  anniversary  of its
execution for Long Intermediate,  and Intermediate Trusts or  beyond the end  of
the  calendar year  preceding the tenth  anniversary of its  execution for Short
Intermediate and Short Term Trusts.
 
    Written notice of  any termination  specifying the  time or  times at  which
Unitholders  may surrender their Certificates, if any, for cancellation shall be
given by  the  Trustee  to each  Unitholder  at  the address  appearing  on  the
registration books of the Trust maintained by the
 
                                      A-37
<PAGE>
Trustee.  Within a  reasonable time thereafter  the Trustee  shall liquidate any
Bonds in the Trust then held and shall  deduct from the assets of the Trust  any
accrued  costs,  expenses or  indemnities provided  by  the Indenture  which are
allocable to such  Trust, including  estimated compensation of  the Trustee  and
costs  of  liquidation and  any amounts  required  as a  reserve to  provide for
payment of any applicable taxes or other governmental charges. The Trustee shall
then distribute to Unitholders of such Trust their pro rata share of the balance
of the Interest and Principal  Accounts. With such distribution the  Unitholders
shall  be furnished  a final distribution  statement, in  substantially the same
form as the annual distribution statement, of the amount distributable. At  such
time as the Trustee in its sole discretion shall determine that any amounts held
in  reserve  are no  longer  necessary, it  shall  make distribution  thereof to
Unitholders in the same manner.
 
LEGAL OPINION
 
    The legality of the Units offered hereby has been passed upon by Chapman and
Cutler, 111 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603. Special counsel for the
Trusts for respective state tax matters are named in "Tax Status" for each Trust
under Section 3. Carter, Ledyard  & Milburn, 2 Wall  Street, New York, New  York
10005,  has acted as counsel for the Trustee with respect to the Series, and, in
the absence of a New York Trust from the Series, as special New York tax counsel
for the Series.
 
AUDITORS
 
    The Statements of Condition and Schedules of Investments at Date of  Deposit
included   in  this  Prospectus  have  been  audited  by  Arthur  Andersen  LLP,
independent public accountants, as indicated in their report in this Prospectus,
and are included herein in reliance upon  the authority of said firm as  experts
in giving said report.
 
                                      A-38
<PAGE>
                            DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS*
 
    STANDARD  & POOR'S CORPORATION.  A  description of the applicable Standard &
Poor's Corporation rating symbols and their meanings follows:
 
    A Standard & Poor's rating is  a current assessment of the  creditworthiness
of  an obligor with respect  to a specific debt  obligation. This assessment may
take into consideration obligors such as guarantors, insurers or lessees.
 
    The rating is  not a recommendation  to purchase, sell  or hold a  security,
inasmuch  as  it  does not  comment  as to  market  price or  suitability  for a
particular investor.
 
    The ratings are  based on  current information  furnished by  the issuer  or
obtained by Standard & Poor's from other sources it considers reliable. Standard
&  Poor's does not  perform an audit in  connection with any  rating and may, on
occasion, rely on unaudited financial  information. The ratings may be  changed,
suspended  or withdrawn as  a result of  changes in, or  unavailability of, such
information, or for other circumstances.
 
    The ratings are based, in varying degrees, on the following considerations:
 
     I.  Likelihood of default--capacity  and willingness of  the obligor as  to
         the timely payment of interest and repayment of principal in accordance
         with the terms of the obligation;
 
     II.  Nature of and provisions of the obligation;
 
    III.  Protection  afforded by, and  relative position of,  the obligation in
          the event of  bankruptcy, reorganization or  other arrangements  under
          the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors' rights.
 
    AAA--This  is the  highest rating  assigned by Standard  & Poor's  to a debt
obligation. Capacity to pay interest and repay principal is extremely strong.
 
    AA--Bonds rated AA  have a very  strong capacity to  pay interest and  repay
principal, and differ from the highest rated issues only in small degree.
 
    A--Bonds rated A have a strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal,
although they are somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in
circumstances and economic conditions than bonds in higher rated categories.
 
    BBB--Bonds  rated BBB  are regarded  as having  an adequate  capacity to pay
interest and repay principal. Whereas they normally exhibit adequate  protection
parameters,  adverse  economic  conditions or  changing  circumstances  are more
likely to lead to a  weakened capacity to pay  interest and repay principal  for
bonds in this category than for bonds in the higher rated categories.
 
    PLUS  (+) OR MINUS (-): The ratings from "AA" to "BB" may be modified by the
addition of a  plus or minus  sign to  show relative standing  within the  major
rating categories.
 
    PROVISIONAL   RATINGS:  The  letter   "p"  indicates  that   the  rating  is
provisional. A  provisional  rating assumes  the  successful completion  of  the
project  being financed by the  issuance of the bonds  being rated and indicates
that payment of debt service requirements is largely or entirely dependent  upon
the successful and timely completion of the project. This rating, however, while
addressing  credit quality  subsequent to  completion of  the project,  makes no
comment on the  likelihood of,  or the  risk of  default upon  failure of,  such
completion.  Accordingly,  the investor  should exercise  his own  judgment with
respect to such likelihood and risk.
 
- ----------
*As published by the rating companies.
 
                                      A-39
<PAGE>
    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 INSURED TRUST UNITS.
 
    A  Standard  &  Poor's  Corporation's  rating on  the  units  of  an insured
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.
 
    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
 
                                      A-40
<PAGE>
parallel  with  Aaa  and  Aa  obligations,  with  the  occasional  exception  of
oversupply in a few specific instances.
 
    Moody's bond rating  symbols may  contain numerical modifiers  of a  generic
rating  classification. The modifier 1 indicates that the bond ranks at the high
end of  its category;  the modifier  2 indicates  a mid-range  ranking; and  the
modifier 3 indicates that the issue ranks in the lower end of its generic rating
category.
 
    Baa--Bonds  which are rated Baa are  considered as medium grade obligations,
i.e., they are neither  highly protected nor  poorly secured. Interest  payments
and  principal security appear  adequate for the  present but certain protective
elements may be lacking or may  be characteristically unreliable over any  great
length  of time. Such  bonds lack outstanding  investment characteristics and in
fact have speculative  characteristics as  well. The market  value of  Baa-rated
bonds  is more  sensitive to changes  in economic circumstances,  and aside from
occasional speculative factors applying to some bonds of this class, Baa  market
valuations  move in parallel  with Aaa, Aa  and A obligations  during periods of
economic normalcy, except in instances of oversupply.
 
    Con. (--)--Bonds for which the security depends upon the completion of  some
act  or the  fulfillment of  some condition  are rated  conditionally. These are
bonds secured by (a)  earnings of projects under  construction, (b) earnings  of
projects  unseasoned  in  operation  experience, (c)  rentals  which  begin when
facilities are completed, or (d) payments to which some other limiting condition
attaches. Parenthetical rating denotes  probable credit stature upon  completion
of construction or elimination of basis of condition.
 
    NOTE RATINGS:
 
    MIG 1--This  designation  denotes  best  quality.  There  is  present strong
           protection by established cash  flows, superior liquidity support  or
           demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.
 
    MIG 2--This  designation  denotes high  quality.  Margins of  protection are
           ample although not so large as in the preceding group.
 
                                      A-41
<PAGE>
                      (THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK)
 
                                      A-42
<PAGE>
                      (THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK)
 
                                      A-43
<PAGE>
                      (THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK)
 
                                      A-44
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<C>                <S>        <C>
           NUVEEN             Tax-Exempt Unit Trusts
 
                           PROSPECTUS
                           205,000 Units
                           Connecticut Traditional
                           Trust 270
                           Maryland Traditional Trust
                           302
                           Virginia Traditional Trust
                           296
                           National Insured Trust 286
</TABLE>
 
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<C>                 <S>        <C>
            NUVEEN             Tax-Exempt Unit Trusts
 
           SPONSOR             John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated
                               333 West Wacker Drive
                               Chicago, IL 60606-1286
                               Telephone: 312.917.7700
 
                               Swiss Bank Tower
                               10 East 50th Street
                               New York, NY 10022
                               212.207.2000
 
           TRUSTEE             United States Trust Company
                               of New York
                               770 Broadway
                               New York, NY 10003
                               800.257.8787
 
     LEGAL COUNSEL             Chapman and Cutler
        TO SPONSOR             111 West Monroe Street
                               Chicago, IL 60603
 
       INDEPENDENT             Arthur Andersen LLP
            PUBLIC             33 West Monroe Street
       ACCOUNTANTS             Chicago, IL 60603
    FOR THE TRUSTS
</TABLE>
 
   Except as to statements made herein furnished by the Trustee, the Trustee has
   assumed  no responsibility for the accuracy, adequacy and completeness of the
   information contained in this Prospectus.
                   This Prospectus does not contain  all of the information  set
   forth in the registration statement and exhibits relating thereto, filed with
   the   Securities  and  Exchange  Commission,   Washington,  D.C.,  under  the
   Securities Act of 1933, and to which reference is made.
                   No person is authorized  to give any  information or to  make
   representations  not contained in  this Prospectus or  in supplementary 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  Trust  under the
   Investment Company Act  of 1940. Such  registration does not  imply that  the
   Trusts  or any of their Units  has been guaranteed, sponsored, recommended or
   approved by the United States or any State or agency or officer thereof.
 
   
   774
    
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
Connecticut Traditional Trust 270 which is incorporated in the Prospectus  dated
December  16,  1994  and is  qualified  in  its entirety  by  reference  to such
prospectus.
</LEGEND>
 
       
<S>                                                <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                      OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                               Nov-30-1995
<PERIOD-END>                                                    Nov-30-1995
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                                             3,292,485
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                                            3,304,360
<RECEIVABLES>                                                        49,406
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                                            0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                                      0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                    3,353,766
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                                                  0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                                                   0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                                            49,406
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                                  49,406
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                                           0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                                                  0
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                                                35,000
<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>                                                      3,304,360
<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>                                                 94.41
<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 Maryland
Traditional Trust 302 which is incorporated in the Prospectus dated December 16,
1994 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such prospectus.
</LEGEND>
 
       
<S>                                                <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                      OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                               Nov-30-1995
<PERIOD-END>                                                    Nov-30-1995
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                                             3,188,225
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                                            3,202,667
<RECEIVABLES>                                                        77,230
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                                            0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                                      0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                    3,279,897
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                                                  0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                                                   0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                                            77,230
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                                  77,230
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                                           0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                                                  0
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                                                35,000
<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>                                                      3,202,667
<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>                                                 91.50
<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 Virginia
Traditional Trust 296 which is incorporated in the Prospectus dated December 16,
1994 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such prospectus.
</LEGEND>
 
       
<S>                                                <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                      OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                               Nov-30-1995
<PERIOD-END>                                                    Nov-30-1995
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                                             3,297,445
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                                            3,310,612
<RECEIVABLES>                                                        38,991
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                                            0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                                      0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                    3,349,603
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                                                  0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                                                   0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                                            38,991
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                                  38,991
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                                           0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                                                  0
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                                                35,000
<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>                                                      3,310,612
<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>                                                 94.59
<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 National
Insured  Trust 286  which is incorporated  in the Prospectus  dated December 16,
1994 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such prospectus.
</LEGEND>
 
       
<S>                                                <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                      OTHER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                               Nov-30-1995
<PERIOD-END>                                                    Nov-30-1995
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                                             9,500,364
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                                            9,528,840
<RECEIVABLES>                                                        96,865
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                                            0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                                      0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                    9,625,705
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                                                  0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                                                   0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                                            96,865
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                                  96,865
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                                           0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                                                  0
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                                               100,000
<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>                                                      9,528,840
<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>                                                 95.29
<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>

Statement of differences between electronic filing and printed document.
   Pursuant to Rule 499(c) (7) under the Securities Act of 1933 and Rule
20-11 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, 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) On the cover page, in the index and on the last page of the printed
document, solid vertical bars will appear.
   (3) In the printed document, footnote symbols may include a "dagger" or
multiple "dagger".  The "dagger" symbol is represented as # in the electronic
document.
   (4) 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:

    INSURER/POLICY NO.                                     AMOUNT

    United Pacific Insurance Co.                           $10,000,000
    Reliance Insurance Company
    B 74 92 20

    Aetna Casualty and Surety                              $10,000,000
    08 F10618BCA

    St. Paul Insurance Co.                                 $ 6,000,000
    400 HC 1051

B.  This amendment of Registration Statement comprises the following papers 
and documents:

              The facing sheet
              The Prospectus

              The signatures

              Consents of Independent Public
              Accountants and Counsel as indicated

              Exhibits as listed on page S-5


<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES

    The Registrant, Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 774 hereby
identifies Series 401, 507, 512, 515, 517, 519 and 723 of the Nuveen 
Tax-Exempt Unit Trust for purposes of the representations required by 
Rule 487 and represents the following:

    (1) that the portfolio securities deposited in the series as to the
securities of which this Registration Statement is being filed do not differ
materially in type or quality from those deposited in such previous series;

    (2) that, except to the extent necessary to identify the specific
portfolio securities deposited in, and to provide essential financial
information for, the series with respect to the securities of which this
Registration Statement is being filed, this Registration Statement does not
contain disclosures that differ in any material respect from those contained
in the registration statements for such previous series as to which the
effective date was determined by the Commission or the staff; and

    (3) that it has complied with Rule 460 under the Securities Act of 1933.

    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant, Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 774 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 12/16/94.

 
                                NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST, SERIES 774
                                (Registrant)

                                By JOHN NUVEEN & CO. INCORPORATED
                                (Depositor)


                       
                                By: Larry Woods Martin
                                    _________________________________
                                    Vice President


                        
                           Attest:  Morrison C. Warren
                                    __________________________________
                                    Assistant Secretary


<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:


    SIGNATURE                     TITLE*                       DATE

Richard J. Franke       Chairman, Board of Directors  )
                        Chief Executive Officer and   )
                        Director                      )
                                                      )
Donald E. Sveen         President, Chief Operating    )
                        Officer and Director          )
                                                      )
                                             
Anthony T. Dean         Executive Vice President      ) Larry Woods Martin
                        and Director                  ) Attorney-In-Fact**
                                                      )
Timothy T. Schwertfeger Executive Vice President      )
                        and Director                  )

O. Walter Renfftlen     Vice President and Controller )
                        (Principal Accounting Officer))
                                                      )
                                                      )12/16/94
___________________

*The titles of the persons named herein represent their capacity in and
relationship to John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated, the Depositor.

**The powers of attorney were filed on Form SE for Messrs. Franke, 
Sveen, Renfftlen, Dean and Schwertfeger with the Amendment to the 
Registration Statement on Form S-6 of Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, 
Series 671 (File No. 33-49175). 



<PAGE>

774

                   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
12/16/94


                         CONSENT OF CHAPMAN AND CUTLER

    The consent of Chapman and Cutler to the use of its name in the Prospectus
included in the Registration Statement is contained in its opinions filed by
this amendment as Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2 to the Registration Statement.

                            CONSENT OF STATE COUNSEL

    The consents of special counsel to the Fund for state tax matters to the 
use of their names in the Prospectus included in the Registration Statement 
are contained in their opinions filed by this amendment as Exhibit 3.3 to the
Registration Statement.

                   CONSENT OF STANDARD + POOR'S CORPORATION

    The consent of Standard + Poor's Corporation to the use of its name in
the Prospectus included in the Registration Statement is filed by this
amendment as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement.

                   CONSENT OF KENNY S+P EVALUATION SERVICES

    The consent of Kenny S+P Evaluation Services to the use of its name in the
Prospectus included in the Registration Statement is filed by this amendment 
as Exhibit 4.2 to the Registration Statement.

                      CONSENT OF CARTER, LEDYARD & MILBURN

    The consent of Carter, Ledyard & Milburn to the use of its name in the
Prospectus included in the Registration Statement is filed by this amendment 
as Exhibit 4.3 to the Registration Statement.

<PAGE>

                                LIST OF EXHIBITS


1.1 (a)  Copy of Trust Indenture and Agreement between John Nuveen &
         Co. Incorporated, Depositor, and United States Trust Company of
         New York, Trustee (as Exibit 1.1 (a) to the Sponsor's Registration
         Statement on Form S-6 relating to Series 723 of the Fund (file No.
         33-52527) and incorporated herein by reference).

1.1 (b)  Schedules to the Trust Indenture and Agreement.

2.1      Copy of Certificate of Ownership (Included in Exhibit 1.1(a) on
         pages 2 to 8, inclusive, and incorporated herein by reference).

3.1      Opinion of counsel as to legality of securities being registered.

3.2      Opinion of counsel as to Federal income tax status of securities
         being registered.

3.3      Opinions of special state counsel to the Fund for state tax matters
         as to income tax status to residents of the respective states of the
         units of the respective trusts and consents to the use of their names
         in the Prospectus.

4.1      Consent of Standard + Poor's Corporation.

4.2      Consent of Kenny S+P Evaluation Services.

4.3      Consent of Carter, Ledyard & Milburn.

                                                                      
<PAGE>                                                                        
                                                                              
Exhibit 1.1(b)                                                                
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                 SCHEDULE A                                   
                                                                              
                                                                              
Series 774                                           December 16, 1994        
                                                                              
Item 1.  This Indenture relates to the Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust           
         Series 774.                                                          
                                                                              
Item 2.  The date of this Indenture is December 16, 1994.                     
                                                                              
Item 3.  Series 774 shall initially contain Trusts as follows:                
                                                                              
         (a)   Connecticut Traditional Trust 270                              
         (b)   Maryland Traditional Trust 302                                 
         (c)   Virginia Traditional Trust 296                                 
         (d)   National Insured Trust 286                                     
                                                                              
                                                                              
Item 4.  Each Trust shall initially consist of the following number of Units: 
                                                                              
         (a)   Connecticut Traditional Trust            35,000 Units          
         (b)   Maryland Traditional Trust               35,000 Units          
         (c)   Virginia Traditional Trust               35,000 Units          
         (d)   National Insured Trust                  100,000 Units          
                                                                              
                                                                              
Item 5.  (a) The amount of the second distribution from the Interest          
             Account of the respective Trusts will be as follows:             
                                                                              
         ( 1)  Connecticut Traditional Trust           $ .7429 per Unit       
         ( 2)  Maryland Traditional Trust              $ .7132 per Unit       
         ( 3)  Virginia Traditional Trust              $ .7573 per Unit       
         ( 4)  National Insured Trust                  $ .7762 per Unit       
                                                                              
         (b) The date of the second distribution from the Interest Account    
             of the respective Trusts will be as follows:                     
                                                                              
         ( 1)  Connecticut Traditional Trust           February 15, 1995      
         ( 2)  Maryland Traditional Trust              February 15, 1995      
         ( 3)  Virginia Traditional Trust              February 15, 1995      
         ( 4)  National Insured Trust                  February 15, 1995      
                                                                              
         (c) The record date for the second distribution from the             
             Interest Account of the respective Trusts will be as             
             follows:                                                         
                                                                              
         ( 1)  Connecticut Traditional Trust           February 1, 1995       
         ( 2)  Maryland Traditional Trust              February 1, 1995       
         ( 3)  Virginia Traditional Trust              February 1, 1995       
         ( 4)  National Insured Trust                  February 1, 1995       
                                                                              
                                                                              
         PAGE 2                                                               
                                                                              
                                                                              
Item 6.  Record dates for subsequent semi-annual distributions from the       
         Interest Account for each of the respective Trusts will be the 1st   
         day of May and November of each year.                                
                                                                              
                                                                              
Item 7.  (a) Record date for distibution from the Principal Account of each   
             of the respective Trusts will be the first day of May and        
             November of each year.                                           
                                                                              
         (b) The first record date for distributions from the Principal       
             Account of each of the respective Trusts will be                 
             May 1, 1995.                                                     
                                                                              
                                                                              
Item 8.  The Trust shall in no event continue beyond the end of the calendar  
         year preceding the fiftieth anniversary of the execution of this     
         Indenture for National and State Trusts, beyond the end of the       
         calendar year preceding the twentieth anniversary of its execution   
         for Long Intermediate and Intermediate Trusts and beyond the end of  
         the calendar year preceding the tenth anniversary of its execution   
         for Short Intermediate and Short Term Trusts.                        
                                                                              
                                                                              
Item 9.  Quarterly distributions from the Interest Account of the respective  
         Trusts will be computed as of the 1st day of February, May, August,  
         and November.                                                        
                                                                              
                                                                              
Item 10. Certain deductions from the Interest Account by the Trustee          
         will commence as follows:                                            
                                                                              
         (a)   Connecticut Traditional Trust           February 1, 1995       
         (b)   Maryland Traditional Trust              February 1, 1995       
         (c)   Virginia Traditional Trust              February 1, 1995       
         (d)   National Insured Trust                  February 1, 1995       
                                                                              
Item 11. (a)  For services performed prior to the date indicated in           
              Item 5(c) of this Schedule A, the Trustee shall be paid at      
              the following annual rates per $1,000 of principal amount       
              of Bonds:                                                       
                                                                              
         ( 1)  Connecticut Traditional Trust           $1.724                 
         ( 2)  Maryland Traditional Trust              $1.7192                
         ( 3)  Virginia Traditional Trust              $1.8419                
         ( 4)  National Insured Trust                  $1.8534                
                                                                              
         (b)  For services performed on or after the date indicated in        
              Item 5(c) of this Schedule A, the Trustee shall be paid at      
              the following annual rates per $1,000 of principal amount       
              of Bonds:                                                       
                                                                              
         ( 1)  Connecticut Traditional Trust                                  
                                                                              
               Monthly Plan of Distribution                  $1.724           
               Quarterly Plan of Distribution                $1.404           
               Semi-Annual Plan of Distribution              $1.214           
                                                                              
         ( 2)  Maryland Traditional Trust                                     
                                                                              
               Monthly Plan of Distribution                  $1.7192          
               Quarterly Plan of Distribution                $1.3992          
               Semi-Annual Plan of Distribution              $1.2092          
                                                                              
         ( 3)  Virginia Traditional Trust                                     
                                                                              
               Monthly Plan of Distribution                  $1.8419          
               Quarterly Plan of Distribution                $1.5219          
               Semi-Annual Plan of Distribution              $1.3319          
                                                                              
         ( 4)  National Insured Trust                                         
                                                                              
               Monthly Plan of Distribution                  $1.8534          
               Quarterly Plan of Distribution                $1.5334          
               Semi-Annual Plan of Distribution              $1.3434          
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                                                              
                            ADDITIONAL SCHEDULES                              
                                                                              
                                                                              
                         BONDS INITIALLY DEPOSITED                            
                                                                              
                  NUVEEN TAX-EXEMPT UNIT TRUST SERIES 774                     
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                                                              
Incorporated herein and made a part hereof as indicated below are the         
following annual rates per $1,000 of principal amount of Bonds:               
corresponding portions of the 'Schedules of Investments at Date of Deposit'   
contained in the Prospectus dated the Date of Deposit and relating to the     
above-named Series:                                                           
                                                                              
         Schedule B:  Connecticut Traditional Trust 270                       
         Schedule C:  Maryland Traditional Trust 302                          
         Schedule D:  Virginia Traditional Trust 296                          
         Schedule E:  National Insured Trust 286                              


<PAGE>

EXHIBIT 3.1

(ON CHAPMAN AND CUTLER LETTERHEAD)

12/16/94


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

RE:  Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 774

Gentlemen:

    We have served as counsel for you, as depositor of Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit
Trust, Series 774 (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 United 
States Trust Company of New York, 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 positions evidencing the 
Units in the Trusts of the Fund when duly executed and delivered or duly 
established 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. 33-56749) 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)

12/16/94

John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated
333 W. Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois  60606
RE:  Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 774

Gentlemen:

    We have served as counsel for you, as Depositor of Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit
Trust, Series 774 (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 United States Trust Company of New York, as
Trustee, of Units of fractional undivided interest (the "Units"), as evidenced
by a book entry position or certificate, if requested by the purchaser of 
Units, in the one or more Trusts of said Fund.

    We have also served as counsel for you in connection with all previous
Series of the Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust and as such have previously 
examined such pertinent records and documents and matters of law as we have 
deemed necessary, including (but not limited to) the Trust Indenture and 
Agreements with respect to those series.  We have also examined such 
pertinent records and documents and matters of law as we have deemed 
necessary including (but not limited to) the Trust Indenture and Agreement 
relating to Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 774.

    We have concluded that the Trust Indenture and Agreement for the Fund and
its counterpart in each of the prior issues of Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust 
are in all material respects substantially identical.

    Based upon the foregoing, and upon such matters of law as we consider
to be applicable we are of the opinion that, under existing federal income
law:

    (i)  For Federal income tax purposes, each of the Trusts will not be
taxable as an association but will be governed by the provisions of 
Subchapter J (relating to Trusts) of Chapter 1, Internal Revenue Code of 
1986 (the "Code").

    (ii) Each Unitholder will be considered as owning a pro rata
share of each asset of the respective Trust of the Fund in the proportion
that the number of Units of such Trust held by him bears to the total number
of outstanding Units of such Trust. Under Subpart E, Subchapter J of Chapter
1 of the Code, income of each Trust will be treated as income of each
Unitholder thereof in the proportion described and an item of Fund income
will have the same character in the hands of a Unitholder as it would have in
the hands of the Trustee.  Accordingly, to the extent that the income of a
Trust consists of interest and original issue discount excludable from gross
income under Section 103 of the Code, such income will be excludable from
federal gross income of the Unitholder, except in the case of a Unitholder
who is a substantial user (or a person related to such user) of a facility
financed through issuance of any industrial development bonds or certain
private activity bonds held by the Trust. In the case of such Unitholder who
is a substantial user (and no other) interest received and original issue
discount with respect to his Units attributable to such industrial
development bonds or such private activity bonds is includable in his gross
income. In the case of certain corporations, interest on the Bonds is included
in computing the alternative minimum tax pursuant to Sections 56(f) and 56(g)
of the Code, the enviromental tax (the "Superfund Tax") imposed by Sections
59A of the Code, and the branch profits tax imposed by Section 884 of the Code
with repect to U.S. branches of foreign corporations.

    (iii) Gain or loss will be recognized to a Unitholder upon
redemption or sale of his Units.  Such gain or loss is measured by comparing 
the proceeds of such redemption or sale with the adjusted basis of such Units.
Before adjustment, such basis would normally be cost if the Unitholder had
acquired his Units by purchase, plus his aliquot share of advances by the
Trustee to the Trust to pay interest on Bonds delivered after the Unitholder's
settlement date to the extent that such interest accrued on the Bonds during
the period from the Unitholder's settlement date to the date such Bonds are
delivered to the Trust, but only to the extent that such advances are to be
repaid to the Trustee out of interest received by the Fund with respect to
such Bonds.  In addition, such basis will be increased by both the
Unitholder's aliquot share of the accrued original issued discount with
respect to each Bond held by the Trust with respect to which there was an
original issue discount and reduced by the annual amortization of bond
premium, if any, on Bonds held by the Trust.

<PAGE>

    (iv) If the Trustee disposes of a Trust asset (whether by sale, payment on
maturity, redemption or otherwise), gain or loss is recognized to the
Unitholder and the amount thereof is measured by comparing the
Unitholder's aliquot share of the total proceeds from the transaction
with his basis for his fractional interest in the asset disposed of.  Such 
basis is ascertained by apportioning the tax basis for his Units among each 
of the Trust assets (as of the date on which his Units were acquired) ratably 
according to their values as of the valuation date nearest the date on which 
he purchased such Units.  A Unitholder's basis in his Units and of his
fractional interest in each Trust asset must be reduced by the amount of his 
aliquot share of interest received by the Fund, if any, on Bonds delivered
after the Unitholder's settlement date to the extent that such
interest accrued on the Bonds during the period from the Unitholder's
settlement date to the date such Bonds are delivered to the Trust, must be 
reduced by the annual amortization of bond premium, if any, on Bonds held by 
the Trust and must be increased by the Unitholder's share of accrued
original issue discount with respect to each Bond which, at the time
the Bond was issued, had original issue discount.

     (v)  In the case of any Bond held by the Trust where the "stated
redemption price at maturity" exceeds the "issue price," such excess shall
be original issue discount.  With respect to each Unitholder, upon the
purchase of his Units subsequent to the original issuance of Bonds held by the
Trust Section 1272(a)(7) of the Code provides for a reduction in the accrued
"daily portion" of such original issue discount upon the purchase of a Bond
subsequent to the Bond's original issue, under certain circumstances.  In the
case of any Bond held by the Trust the interest on which is excludable from
gross income under Section 103 of the Code, any original issue discount which
accrues with respect thereto will be treated as interest which is excludable
from gross income under Section 103 of the Code.

    (vi)  In the case of any Bond which matures within one year of the date
issued, the accrual of tax-exempt original issue discount will generally be
computed daily on a ratable basis unless the Unitholder elects to accrue such
discount under a constant yield method, compounded daily.

    (vii)  In the case of any Bond which does not mature within one year
after the date issued, tax-exempt original issue discount will accrue
daily, computed generally under a constant yield method, compounded
semiannually (with straight line interpolation between compounding dates).

    (viii)  In the case of Trusts for which Municipal Bond Investors Assurance
Corporation ("MBIA") insurance with respect to each of the Bonds deposited
therein has been obtained by the Depositor or the issuer or underwriter of the
Bonds, we have examined the form of MBIA's policy or several policies of
insurance (the "Policies") which have been delivered to the Trustee.  Assuming
issuance of Policies in such form, in our opinion, any amounts paid under said
Policies representing maturing interest on defaulted obligations held by the
Trustee will be excludable from Federal gross income if, and to the same
extent as, such interest would have been so excludable if paid by the
respective issuer, provided that, at the time such policies are purchased,
the amounts paid for such policies are reasonable, customary and consistent
with the reasonable expectation that the issuer of the bonds, rather than
the insurer, will pay debt service on the bonds.  Paragraph (ii) of this 
opinion is accordingly applicable to Policy proceeds representing maturing 
interest.
<PAGE>

    Because the Trusts do not include any "specified private activity bonds"
within the meaning of Section 57(a)(5) of the Code issued on or after August
8, 1986, none of the Trust Fund's interest income shall be treated as an item
of tax preference when computing the alternative minimum tax.  In the case of
corporations, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 1986, the alter-
native minimum tax and the Superfund Tax depend upon the corporation's
alternative minimum taxable income ("AMTI"), which is the corporation's
taxable income with certain adjustments.

    Pursuant to Section 56(c) of the Code, one of the adjustment
items used in computing AMTI and the Superfund Tax of a corporation
(other than an S Corporation, Regulated Investment Company, Real Estate
Investment Trust or REMIC) is an amount equal to 50% of the excess of such
corporation's "adjusted net book income" over an amount equal to its AMTI
(before such adjustment item and the alternative tax net operating
loss deduction).  For taxable years beginning after 1989, such adjustment item
will be 75% of the excess of such corporation's "adjusted current earnings"
over an amount equal to its AMTI (before such adjustment item and the
alternative tax net operating net operating loss deduction) pursuant to
Section 56(g) of the Code.  Both "adjusted net book income" and "adjusted
current earnings" include all tax-exempt interest, including interest on all
Bonds in the Trust, and tax-exempt original issue discount.

   Effective for tax returns filed after December 31, 1987,  all taxpayers
are required to disclose to the Internal Revenue Service the amount of
tax-exempt interest earned during the year.

    Section 265 of the Code generally provides for a reduction
in each taxable year of 100% of the otherwise deductible interest on
indebtedness incurred or continued by financial institutions, to which either 
Section 585 or Section 593 of the Code applies, to purchase or carry 
obligations acquired after August 7, 1986, the interest on which is exempt
from federal income taxes for such taxable year.  Under rules prescribed by 
Section 265, the amount of interest otherwise deductible by such financial
institutions in any taxable year which is deemed to be attributable to 
tax-exempt obligations acquired after August 7, 1986 will be the amount
that bears the same ratio to the interest deduction otherwise allowable
(determined without regard to Section 265) to the taxpayer for the taxable
year as the taxpayer's average adjusted basis (within the meaning of Section
1016) of tax-exempt obligations acquired after August 7, 1986, bears to
such average adjusted basis for all assets of the taxpayer, unless such 
financial institution can otherwise establish under regulations to be
prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury, the amount of interest on 
indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase or carry such obligations.

<PAGE>

    We also call attention to the fact that, under Section 265 of the
Code,  interest on indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase or carry
Units by taxpayers other than certain financial institutions, as referred to
above, is not deductible for Federal income tax purposes. Under rules used by
the Internal Revenue Service for determining when borrowed funds are con-
sidered used for the purpose of purchasing or carrying particular assets, the
purchase of Units may be considered to have been made with borrowed funds even
though the borrowed funds are not directly traceable to the purchase of Units.
However, these rules generally do not apply to interest paid on indebtedness
incurred for expenditures of a personal nature such as a mortgage incurred to
purchase or improve a personal residence.

    "The Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993" (the "Tax Act") subjects tax-exempt
bonds to the market discount rules of the Code effective for bonds purchased
after April 30, 1993.  In general, market discount is the amount (if any) by
which the stated redemption price at maturity exceeds an investor's purchase
price (except to the extent that such difference, if any, is attributable to
original issue discount not yet accrued).  Market discount can arise based on
the price a Trust pays for Bonds or the price a Unitholder pays for his or her
Units.  Under the Tax Act, accretion of market discount is taxable as ordinary
income; under prior law, the accretion had been treated as capital gain.  Market
discount that accretes while a Trust holds a Bond would be recognized as
ordinary income by the Unitholders when principal payments are received on the
Bond, upon sale or at redemption (including early redemption), or upon the sale
or redemption of his or her Units, unless a Unitholder elects to include market
discount in taxable income as it accrues.
     
    We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement (File No. 33-56749) relating to the Units referred
to above and to the use of our name and to the reference to our firm in said
Registration Statement and in the related Prospectus.

Respectfully submitted,


CHAPMAN AND CUTLER


<PAGE>
          
EXHIBIT 3.3

( ON DAY, BERRY & HOWARD LETTER)

12/16/94

John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois  60606

RE:  Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 774
     Connecticut Traditional Trust 270

Gentlemen:

        You have requested that we act as special counsel with respect to
certain Connecticut tax aspects of Connecticut Traditional Trust 270 (the
"Connecticut Traditional Trust"), being created as part of the Nuveen
Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 774 (the "Fund").
       
        The Fund is created under a Trust Indenture and Agreement dated the 
date hereof between John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated, as Depositor, and United 
States Trust Company of New York, as Trustee.  The Fund will issue units in 
several state trusts, one of which is the Connecticut Traditional Trust.
Each unit of the Connecticut Traditional Trust (a "Unit") represents a 
fractional undivided interest in the principal and net income of the 
Connecticut Traditional Trust.  The Connecticut Traditional Trust and the 
trust for any other state included in the Fund will each be administered 
as a separate and distinct entity for all purposes, each having its own 
separate assets, accounts, and certificates.

        You have informed us that, upon the sale of Units of the Connecticut
Traditional Trust to investors (the "Unitholders"), the assets of the
Connecticut Traditional Trust will consist of certain obligations 
(the "Bonds").  Each of the Bonds has been issued by or on behalf of the 
State of Connecticut, a political subdivision thereof, or public 
instrumentality, state or local authority, district, or similar public 
entity created under the laws of the State of Connecticut or by or on 
behalf of a United States territory or possession the interest on the   

<PAGE>

obligations of which Federal law would prohibit Connecticut from taxing 
if received directly by a Unitholder.  In the opinion of bond counsel to the
issuer of each of the Bonds, the interest thereon is exempt from Federal 
income taxation. Distributions to Unitholders of interest received by the 
Connecticut Traditional Trust and of amounts received thereby upon the
maturity, redemption, sale, or other disposition of the Bonds will be made 
semi-annually except in the case of Unitholders who have elected a shorter 
distribution period.

        You have informed us that, in the opinion of Messrs. Chapman and 
Cutler, for Federal income tax purposes (i) the Connecticut Traditional Trust
will not be classified as an association, but will be governed by the
provisions of subchapter J of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
relating to trusts;  (ii) pursuant to subpart E of said subchapter J, each
Unitholder will be considered to be the owner of a portion of each asset of
the Connecticut Traditional Trust and to have a portion of each item of
income of the Connecticut Traditional Trust, in each case such portion being
equal to the part of the whole thereof that the number of Units of the
Connecticut Traditional Trust held by him bears to the total number of
outstanding Units of the Connecticut Traditional Trust; (iii) each such
item of income will have the same character in the hands of a Unitholder as
in the hands of the Trustee; (iv) gain or loss will be recognized by a
Unitholder upon the redemption or sale of his Units or upon the maturity,
redemption, sale, or other disposition of a Bond held by the Connecticut
Traditional Trust; and (v) such income will be excludable from a Unitholder's
Federal gross income to the extent it consists of interest excludable
therefrom for Federal income tax purposes.
 
        Based on the foregoing, and relying explicitly on the opinion of 
Messrs. Chapman and Cutler regarding Federal income tax matters, we are of 
the opinion that, under existing Connecticut law:

1.   The Connecticut Traditional Trust is not liable for any tax on
     or measured by net income imposed by the State of Connecticut.

<PAGE>

2.   Interest income from a Bond held by the Connecticut Traditional
     Trust is not taxable under the Connecticut tax on the Connecticut
     taxable income of individuals, trusts, and estates (the "Connecticut 
     Income Tax"), when such interest is received by the Connecticut 
     Traditional Trust or distributed by it to a Unitholder.

3.   Gains and losses recognized by a Unitholder for Federal income tax 
     purposes upon the maturity, redemption, sale, or other disposition by the 
     Connecticut Traditional Trust of a Bond held by the Connecticut 
     Traditional Trust or upon the redemption, sale, or other disposition of a 
     Unit of the Connecticut Traditional Trust held by a Unitholder are taken 
     into account as gains or losses, respectively, for purposes of the 
     Connecticut Income Tax, except that, in the case of a Unitholder holding
     a Unit of the Connecticut Traditional Trust as a capital asset, such gains
     and losses recognized upon the maturity, redemption, sale, or exchange of
     a Bond issued by or on behalf of the State of Connecticut, any political 
     subdivision thereof, or public instrumentality, state or local authority,
     district, or similar public entity created under the laws of the State of
     Connecticut (a "Connecticut Bond") held by the Connecticut Traditional 
     Trust are excluded from gains and losses taken into account for purposes 
     of such tax and no opinion is expressed as to the treatment for purposes 
     of such tax of gains and losses recognized, to the extent attributable to
     Connecticut Bonds, upon the redemption, sale, or other disposition by a 
     Unitholder of a Unit of the Connecticut Traditional Trust held by him.

4.   The portion of any interest income or capital gain of the Connecticut
     Traditional Trust that is allocable to a Unitholder that is subject to 
     the Connecticut corporation business tax is includable in the gross 
     income of such Unitholder for purposes of such tax.

<PAGE>

5.   An interest in a Unit of the Connecticut Traditional Trust that is owned
     by or attributable to a Connecticut resident at the time of his death is 
     includable in his gross estate for purposes of the Connecticut succession
     tax and the Connecticut estate tax.

          

        We hereby consent, without admitting that we are in the category of
persons whose consent is required, to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit
to the Registration Statement relating to the Units and to the reference to 
our firm as special Connecticut tax counsel in such Registration Statement 
and the Prospectus contained therein.

        We understand that you may deliver a copy of this opinion to the 
Trustee and hereby consent to the Trustee's relying on this opinion as though 
it were addressed to the Trustee.

Very truly yours,



DAY, BERRY & HOWARD



<PAGE>

EXHIBIT 3.3


(ON VENABLE, BAETJER AND HOWARD LETTERHEAD)

12/16/94

Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust --
Series 774, Maryland Traditional Trust 302
John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois  60606

Attn:  James J. Wesolowski, Esquire
       Vice President, General Counsel
       and Secretary

United States Trust Company of New York,
as Trustee of Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust --
Series 774, Maryland Traditional Trust 302
770 Broadway
New York, New York  10003

Gentlemen:

    We have acted as special Maryland counsel to the Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit 
Trust-- Series 774 (the "Fund") with respect to the issuance by the Fund 
of units of fractional undivided interest in the Fund (the "Units") as  
described in a certain Registration Statement (No. 33-56749) on Form S-6
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Registration Statement").
The Fund has been organized under a Trust Indenture and Agreement dated
as of the date hereof between John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated (the "Depositor")
and United States Trust Company of New York (the "Trustee").  The Fund will 
issue the Units in several Trusts, one of which is the Maryland Traditional
Trust 302 (the "Trust").  The Units will be purchased by various 
investors (the "Unitholders"). Each Unit of the Trust represents a fractional
undivided interest in the principal and net income of the Trust in the ratio 
of ten Units for each $1,000 principal amount of the obligations initially 
acquired by the Trust.  Each trust will be administered as a distinct entity 
with seperate certificates, investments, expenses, books and records.

    The assets of the Trust will consist of interest-bearing obligations 
issued by or on behalf of the State of Maryland, its political subdivisions 
and authorities and, provided the interest thereon is exempt from State 
income tax under the laws or treaties of the United States, obligations
issued by or on behalf of the territories or possessions of the United 
States, including Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Guam, and their 
political subdivisions and authorities (the "Bonds").(N.1)  Distributions 
of the interest received by the Trust will be made semi-annually unless the 
Unitholder elects otherwise.

    You have requested our opinion as to the application of Maryland state and
local taxes to the Trust and the Unitholders.  In rendering our
opinion, we have assumed (i) that the interest on all Bonds in the Trust will 
be exempt from Federal income tax (N.2) and (ii) that the Bonds have been 
issued in strict compliance with all requirements of Maryland law and, where 
applicable, Federal or territorial law.  Furthermore, in rendering our 
opinion, we have relied on the opinion of Messrs. Chapman and Cutler, of even 
date herewith, that:
 
    (i)  The Trust will not be taxable as an association but will be governed 
by the provisions of Subchapter J (relating to trusts) of Chapter 1 of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code");

    (ii) Each Unitholder will be considered the owner of a pro rata
portion of the Trust and will be subject to Federal income tax on the income
therefrom under the provisions of Subpart E of Subchapter J of Chapter 1 of 
the Code;

    (iii) The Trust, itself, will not be subject to Federal income taxes;

    (iv) For Federal income tax purposes, each item of Trust income will have
the same character in the hands of a Unitholder as it would have in
the hands of the Trustee.  Accordingly, to the extent that the income of the
Trust consists of interest excludable from Federal gross income, such income
will be excludable from Federal gross income of the Unitholder;


<PAGE>

    (v)  For Federal income tax purposes, each Unitholder will have a
taxable event upon the redemption or sale of his Unit.  Gain or loss will
be determined by comparing the proceeds of such a redemption or sale with
the Unitholder's adjusted basis for the Unit.  Before adjustment, this basis
would be cost, if the Unitholder had purchased his Units.  For Federal
income tax purposes, if the Trustee disposes of a Trust asset (whether 
by sale, payment on maturity, retirement or otherwise), gain or loss will 
result to each Unitholder; such gain or loss is to be computed by measuring 
the Unitholder's aliquot share of the total proceeds from the transaction
against his basis for his fractional interest in the asset disposed of (such 
basis being determined by apportioning the basis for his Units among all of 
the Trust's assets ratably according to their values as of the valuation
date nearest the date on which he purchased his Units).  A 
Unitholder's basis in his Units and the basis for his fractional
interest in each Trust asset must be reduced by the amount of his aliquot 
share of interest received, if any, on Bonds delivered after the
Unitholder's settlement date to the extent that such interest accrued
on the Bonds during the period from the Unitholder's settlement date
to the date such Bonds are delivered to the Trust and must be reduced 
annually for amortization of premiums, if any, on obligations held by the
Trust.
 
    Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion, for Maryland State
and local tax purposes, that:

    (1)  The Trust will not be recognized as an association taxable as a
corporation, and the income of the Trust will be treated as the income of
the Unitholders.

    (2)  Interest received by the Trust on obligations of the State of
Maryland or its political subdivisions and authorities, or of territories
and possessions of the United States (to the extent federal law exempts
interest on obligations of territories or possessions of the United States
from state taxation) will be exempt from Maryland state and local income
taxes when allocated to an individual Unitholder of the Trust.

    (3)  Interest or profit realized from a sale or exchange of bonds
issued by the State of Maryland or one of its political subdivisions
derived from the Trust by a financial institution, as defined in Section
8-101(c) of the Tax-General Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland,
will be subject to the Maryland state franchise tax on financial institutions,
except to the extent such interest is expressly exempt from the Maryland state
franchise tax by the statutes which authorize the isuance of such Bonds
(See Section 8-204 of the Tax-General Article of the Annotated Code of
Maryland).


    (4)  A Unitholder will not be subject to Maryland state or local
income tax with respect to gain realized when Bonds held in the Trust are 
sold, redeemed or paid at maturity, except with respect to gain realized upon 
a sale, redemption, or payment at maturity of such Bonds as are issued by or 
on behalf of the United States' territories or possessions, their political
subdivisions and authorities; such gain will equal the proceeds of sale, 
redemption or payment, less the tax basis of the Bond (adjusted to reflect 
(a) the amortization of Bond premium or discount, and (b) the deposit in the 
Trust after the Unitholder's settlement date of Bonds with accrued
interest).
 
    (5)  Gain realized by a Unitholder from the redemption, sale or
other disposition of a Unit will be subject to Maryland state income tax
and Maryland local income tax except in the case of individual Unitholders
who are not Maryland residents.

    (6)  Maryland presently imposes an income tax on items of tax preference
with reference to such items as defined in the Code.  For taxable years
beginning after December 31, 1986, interest paid on certain private activity
bonds constitutes a tax preference pursuant to Section 57 (a) (5) of the
Code.  Accordingly, if the Maryland Series holds such bonds, 50% of the
interest would be taxable by Maryland under the provisions of Section
10-205(f) of the Tax-General Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland,
subject to a threshold amount.

    (7)  Interest on indebtedness incurred or continued (directly or
indirectly) by a Unitholder to purchase or carry Units in the Trust
will not be deductible for Maryland State or local income tax purposes.

    (8)  Trust Units will be subject to Maryland inheritance and estate tax 
only if held by Maryland residents.

    (9)  Neither the Bonds nor the Units will be subject to the Maryland
personal property tax, sales tax or use tax.

    This letter is not to be construed as a prediction of a favorable outcome
with respect to any issue for which no favorable prediction is made herein, or
as a guaranty of any tax result, or as offering an assurance or guaranty that 
a Maryland state or local taxing authority might not differ with our 
conclusions, or raise other questions or issues upon audit, or that such 
action may not be judicially sustained.

    We have not examined any of the Bonds to be deposited in the Fund and held
by the Trust, and express no opinion as to whether the interest on any such
Bonds would in fact be tax-exempt if directly received by a Unitholder;
nor have we made any review of the proceedings relating to the issuance of the
Bonds or the basis for the bond counsel opinions or the opinions of Messrs.
Chapman and Cutler referred to herein.

<PAGE>

    We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm in such Registration
Statement and the Preliminary Prospectus included therein.  In giving
such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within the category of 
persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, 
as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.


_______________________
(N.1)It is understood that, from time to time, some uninvested cash may be 
held in the Trust.



(N.2)Section 2.01 of the Indenture provides that the Depositor may deposit
delivery statements relating to contracts for the purchase of Bonds (rather 
than actual Bonds) into the Trust.  We understand that, should any such 
contract to purchase Bonds fail, the Depositor intends to pay to all 
Unitholders an amount equivalent to the interest that would have been
paid to such Unitholders had the contract not failed.  Such amount
will constitute taxable income for Federal income tax purposes.

Very truly yours,



VENABLE, BAETJER AND HOWARD



<PAGE>

EXHIBIT 3.3


(ON CHRISTIAN, BARTON, EPPS, BRENT & CHAPPELL LETTERHEAD)

12/16/94

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

Attn:  James J. Wesolowski, Esquire
       General Counsel


United States Trust Company of New York,
as Trustee of Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust
Series 774,   
Virginia Traditional Trust 296
770 Broadway
New York, New York  10003

Gentlemen:

    We have acted as special Virginia counsel to Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust,
Series 774 (the "Fund") concerning a Registration Statement (No. 33-56749)
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Registration Statement"),
covering the issuance by the Fund of units of fractional undivided
interest pursuant to a Trust Indenture and Agreement dated as of the date
hereof between John Nuveen & Co. Incorporated and United States Trust Company
of New York.  The Fund will issue units in several State Trusts, one of which
is the Virginia Traditional Trust (the "Virginia Trust" or "Trust", the
units of which are referred to as "the Units").  The Units will be purchased
by various investors (the "Unitholders").  Each Trust will be administered as
a distinct entity with separate certificates, investments, expenses, books
and records.
    The assets of the Virginia Trust will consist of interest-bearing
obligations issued by or on behalf of the Commonwealth of Virginia, its
counties, municipalities, authorities or political subdivisions, and, provided
the interest thereon is exempt from Virginia income taxes by the laws or
treaties of the United States, by or on behalf of United States territories
or possessions, including Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands and the
Northern Mariana Islands, and their political subdivisions and authorities
(the "Bonds").

    You have requested our opinion as to the application of Virginia state and
local taxes to the Trust and the Unitholders.  In rendering our
opinion, we have assumed that the interest on all Bonds in the Trust will be 
exempt from Federal income tax.  Furthermore, in rendering our opinion, we 
have relied on the opinion of Messrs. Chapman and Cutler, of even date 
herewith, that:
 
    (1)  the Trusts are not associations taxable as corporations for Federal
income tax purposes and tax-exempt interest received by each of the Trusts on
Bonds deposited therein will retain its status as tax-exempt interest, for
Federal income tax purposes, when distributed to a Unitholder;

    (2)  each Unitholder of a Trust is considered to be the owner of a
pro rata portion of such Trust under Subpart E, sub-chapter J of Chapter 1 of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and will have a taxable event when the Trust
disposes of a Bond or when the Unitholder redeems or sells Units . . . .
If the Trustee disposes of Bonds (whether by sale, payment on maturity,
redemption or otherwise), gain or loss is recognized to the Unitholder.
The amount of any such gain or loss is measured by comparing the
Unitholder's pro rata share of the total proceeds from such disposition
with the Unitholder's basis for his or her fractional interest in the
asset disposed of.  In the case of a Unitholder who purchases Units,
such basis (before adjustment for earned original issue discount and 
amortized bond premium, if any) is determined by apportioning the cost of the
Units among each of the Trust assets ratably according to value as of the 
date of acquisition of the Units.  The tax cost reduction requirements of 
said Code relating to amortization of bond premium may, under some 
circumstances, result in the Unitholder realizing a taxable gain when
his or her Units are sold or redeemed for an amount equal to their original
cost.
 
    Based upon the foregoing, we are of the following opinion:

    The Trust will be treated as a trust for Virginia income tax purposes and
not as an association taxable as a corporation.  As a result, income of the
Trust will be treated as the income of the Unitholders.

<PAGE>

    The calculation of Virginia taxable income begins with federal adjusted
gross income in the case of an individual or federal taxable income in the 
case of a corporation, estate or trust.  Certain modifications are specified, 
but no such modification would require the addition of interest on the Bonds.
Accordingly, amounts representing tax-exempt interest for federal income tax
purposes received or accrued by the Trust with respect to the Bonds, will not 
be taxed to the Trust or to the Unitholders for Virginia income tax
purposes.  To the extent that interest on obligations of the Commonwealth or
any political subdivision or instrumentality thereof is included in federal
adjusted gross income, Virginia law provides that the income shall be 
subtracted in arriving at Virginia taxable income.  In addition, Virginia 
income tax exemption is independently provided for interest on certain 
obligations, including those issued by industrial development authorities 
created pursuant to the Virginia Industrial Development and Revenue Bond Act, 
by the Virginia Housing Development Authority, by the Virginia Resources 
Authority and by the Virginia Education Loan Authority.  Where such an 
independent exemption is provided, interest on such obligations is exempt 
from Virginia income taxation without regard to any exemption from federal 
income taxes.


    As a general rule, to the extent that gain (whether as a result of the
sale of Bonds by the Trust or as a result of the sale of a Unit by the
Unitholder) is subject to federal income taxation, such gain will be
included in the Unitholder's Virginia taxable income.  Under the
language of certain enabling legislation, however, such as the Virginia 
Industrial Development and Revenue Bond Act, the Virginia Resources Authority
Act and the Virginia Housing Development Authority Act, profit made on the
sale of obligations issued by authorities created thereunder is expressly
exempt from Virginia income taxation.  Such enabling legislation does not
appear to require a disallowance in the calculation of Virginia taxes of any
loss that may be deductible for federal income tax purposes with respect to
such obligations, although the Virginia Department of Taxation has taken a
contrary view. 

    No income tax is imposed by any political subdivision of the Commonwealth 
of Virginia.  The Commonwealth of Virginia does not impose a gift tax.  The 
Virginia estate tax is equal to the maximum state death tax credit allowable 
against the federal estate tax payable by the estate.

    We have not examined any of the Bonds, nor have we made any review of the
proceedings relating to the issuance of the Bonds or the basis for any 
opinions with respect to their validity or the tax-exempt status thereof for 
federal income tax purposes.  We have made no independent investigation as 
to, or passed on, the operation of the Trust or the sale of the Units in 
Virginia or in any other state.  No opinion was requested, nor is any opinion 
expressed, with respect to any tax consequences to the sponsor of the Trust, 
any underwriters, or any broker-dealers.

    We should point out that to the extent the Trust consists of property of
persons domiciled in Virginia, the Trust will in our opinion be considered a
"resident trust" for Virginia income tax purposes.  While we do not believe 
that the mere ownership by the Trust of the Bonds constitutes sufficient 
nexus to subject the Trust to the tax jurisdiction of Virginia, we express no 
opinion as to whether any activities with respect to the sale of Units in 
Virginia may establish such a nexus.  If a sufficient nexus exists, then if 
the Trust is required to file a federal fiduciary income tax return it will 
also be required to file a Virginia fiduciary income tax return.  Any such 
return would be for information purposes only, since each transaction of the 
Trust should be treated as a transaction of the several Unitholders,
and not as a transaction of the Trust that could give rise to Virginia
taxable income of the Trust.
 
    We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement and to the use of our name and the reference to our firm in the
Registration Statement and the prospectus included therein.

Very truly yours,


CHRISTIAN, BARTON, EPPS, BRENT & CHAPPELL

<PAGE>

EXHIBIT 4.1

(ON STANDARD & POOR'S CORPORATION LETTERHEAD)

12/16/94

John Nuveen & Company
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois  60606

Re:     NUVEEN TAX EXEMPT UNIT TRUST, SERIES 774

        This is in response to your requests regarding the above-captioned
fund which consists of separate underlying insured and traditional unit
investment trusts, SEC file # 33-56749.

        INSURED TRUSTS.

        With respect to the insured trusts we have reviewed the information
presented to us and have assigned a 'AAA' rating to the units of each insured
trust and a 'AAA' rating to the securities contained in each insured trust.
The ratings are direct reflections of the portfolio of each insured trust,
which will be composed soley of securities covered by bond insurance policies
that insure against default in the payment of principal and interest on the
securities contained in each insured trust for as long as they remain
outstanding.  We understand that the bonds described in the prospectus are the
same as those in the attatched list.  Since such policies have been issued by
MBIA which has been assigned a 'AAA' claims paying ability rating by S&P, S&P
has assigned a 'AAA' to the units of each insured trust and a 'AAA' rating to
the securities contained in each trust.

        You have permission to use the name of Standard & Poor's Corporation
and the above-assigned rating in connection with your dissemination of
information relating to the insured trusts provided that it is understood
that the ratings are not 'market' ratings nor recommendations to buy, hold or
sell the units of the insured trusts or the securities contained in the
insured trusts.  Further, it should be understood the rating on the units of
each insured trust does not take into account the extent to which the trust's
expenses or portfolio asset sales for less than the principal required to be
paid on the portfolio assets.  S&P reserves the right to advise its own
clients, subscribers, and the public of the ratings.  S&P relies on the
sponsor and its counsel, accountants, and other experts for the accuracy and
completeness of the information submitted in connection with the ratings.  S&P
does not independently verify the truth or accuracy of any such information.

        This letter evidences our consent to the use of the name of Standard &
Poor's Corporation in connection with the rating assigned to the units of each
insured trust in the registration statement or prospectus relating to the
units and the trusts.  However, this letter should not be construed as a
consent by us, within the meaning of section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933,
to the use of Standard and Poor's Corporation in connection with the ratings
assigned to the securities contained in the insured trusts.  You are hereby
authorized to file a copy of this letter with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.

        Please be certain to send us three copies of your final prospectus as
soon as it becomes available.  Should we not receive them within a reasonable
time after the closing or should they not conform to certification received by
us, we reserve the right to nullify the ratings.


<PAGE>



        TRADITIONAL TRUSTS.

        With respect to the traditional unit investment trusts within the
above-captioned fund, we have reviewed the information presented to us and we
hereby confirm that the ratings indicated in the prospectus as being assigned
by Standard & Poor's Corporation to the securities contained in each
traditional trust of such fund are, according to our records, the ratings
currently assigned by Standard & Poor's Corporation to such securities.  You
understand that Standard & Poor's Corporation has not consented to, and will
not consent to, being named as "expert" under the federal securities laws,
including and without limitation, Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933,
with respect to the ratings on any securities contained in any of the
traditional trusts.

        Please note that the 'AAA' rating assigned to the units of each
insured trust does not apply to the units of any of the traditional trusts.


                                          STANDARD & POOR'S CORPORATION

                                          
                                          Vincent S. Orgo



 
<PAGE>

EXHIBIT 4.2

(On Kenny Information Systems, Inc. Letterhead)

12/16/94

John Nuveen & Company
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606
Re:  Nuveen Tax Exempt Unit Trust, Series 774

Gentlemen:

     We have examined the registration statement File No. 33-56749,
for the above captioned trust.  We hereby acknowledge that
Kenny S&P Services, a division of Kenny Information Systems, 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 Kenny Information
Systems, 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,


John R. Fitzgerald



<PAGE>

                                   MEMORANDUM

                 Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit Trust, Series 774
                               File No. 33-56749


    The Prospectus and the Indenture filed with Amendment No. 1 of the
Registration Statement on Form S-6 have been revised to reflect information
regarding the execution of the Indenture and the deposit of bonds on 12/16/94,
and to set forth certain statistical data based thereon.  In addition, there 
are a number of other changes from the Prospectus as originally filed to which
reference is made, including the increase in the size of the Fund, a
corresponding increase in the number of Units and a change in the individual
trusts constituting the Fund.  All references to the Units, prices and related
statistical data will apply to each trust of the Fund and the Units thereof
individually.

    Except for such updating, an effort has been made to set forth below each 
of the changes and also to reflect the same by marking the Prospectus 
transmitted with the Amendment.  Also, differences between the Final 
Prospectus relating to the previous series of the Nuveen Tax-Exempt Unit 
Trust and the subject Prospectus have been indicated.

                                    FORM S-6

    FACING SHEET.  The file number is now shown.

                                 THE PROSPECTUS

     PAGE 3.       The "Estimated Long-Term Return" and "Estimated Current
Return" to Unitholders under each Trust under each of the distribution
plans are stated.

     PAGES 4 - 5.  Essential information for each of the Trusts, including
applicable footnotes, has been completed for this Series.

     PAGES 5 - 6.  The date of the Indenture has been inserted in Section 1
along with the size and number of Units of each of the Trusts.

     PAGE 8 et seq. The following information for each Trust appears on the
pages relating to such trust:

         The estimated daily accrual of interest under the plans of
         distribution for each of the Trusts

         Data regarding the composition of the portfolio of each
         Trust

         Disclosure regarding the states' economic and legislative
         matters relevant to investors of state trusts

         Concentrations of issues by purpose in each Trust

         The approximate percentage of the bonds in the
         portfolio of each Trust acquired in distributions where
         the Sponsor was either the sole underwriter or manager
         or member of the underwriting syndicate

         The percentage of "when issued" bonds in the portfolio
         of each Trust

         The schedule of investments for each Trust, including
         the notes thereto

         Descriptions of the opinions of the special tax
         counsel for state trusts

         The Record Dates and Distribution Dates for
         interest distributions for each Trust

         The distribution table for each Trust

         Taxable Equivalent Estimated Current Return Tables for residents
         of the respective jurisdictions

         The statements of condition for each Trust
         and the accountant's report with regard thereto.

         The amount of the Trustee's Fee

                             THE INDENTURE

The Schedules to the Indenture have been completed.


CHAPMAN AND CUTLER


Chicago, Illinois

12/16/94


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