EXHIBIT (5)(a) =================================GRAPHIC OMITTED================================ SPECIMEN SPECIMEN NBN Co NBN Co COMMON SHARES COMMON SHARES NUMBER ============ ============= ============ ============= SEE REVERSE FOR CERTAIN DEFINITIONS CUSIP THIS CERTIFICATE IS TRANSFERABLE IN BOSTON OR IN NEW YORK CITY Van Kampen Trust for Investment Grade Municipals Organized Under the Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This certifies that is the owner of - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Common Shares of beneficial interest of $0.01 par value per share of Van Kampen Trust for Investment Grade Municipals CERTIFICATE OF STOCK (hereinafter called the "Trust") transferable on the books of the Trust by the holder hereof in person or by duly authorized attorney upon surrender of this certificate properly endorsed. This certificate is not valid unless countersigned by the Transfer Agent and registered by the Registrar. Witness the facsimile seal of the Trust and the facsimile signatures of its duly authorized officers. Van Kampen Trust for Investment Grade Municipals MASSACHUSETTS SEAL TRUST * Dated: /s/ A. Thomas Smith /s/ Stephen J. Boyd Secretary Executive Vice President COUNTERSIGNED AND REGISTERED: STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR, BY: Authorized Signature (c) NORTHERN BANK NOTE COMPANY ================================================================================ THE TRUST WILL FURNISH WITHOUT CHARGE TO EACH SHAREHOLDER WHO SO REQUESTS A STATEMENT OF THE POWERS, DESIGNATIONS, PREFERENCES AND RELATIVE, PARTICIPATING, OPTIONAL OR OTHER SPECIAL RIGHTS OF EACH CLASS OF SHARES OR SERIES THEREOF AND THE QUALIFICATIONS, LIMITATIONS OR RESTRICTIONS OF SUCH PREFERENCES AND/OR RIGHTS. ANY SUCH REQUEST SHOULD BE MADE TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TRUST. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations: TEN COM- as tenants in common UNIF GIFT MIN ACT-______Custodian_______ (Cust) (Minor) TEN ENT- as tenants by the entireties under Uniform Gifts to Minors JT TEN- as joint tenants with Act _________________________ right of survivorship and (State) not as tenants in common Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list. For value received, ___________ hereby sell, assign and transfer unto ______________________________________________________________________________ PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE - ------------------------------------ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS OF ASSIGNEE ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Shares of the Trust represented by the within Certificate, and do hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint _________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Attorney to transfer the said shares on the books of the within-named Trust with full power of substitution in the premises. Dated, ________________ X _______________________________________________ NOTICE: THE SIGNATURE TO THIS ASSIGNMENT MUST CORRESPOND WITH THE NAME AS WRITTEN UPON THE FACE OF THE CERTIFICATE IN EVERY PARTICULAR, WITHOUT ALTERATION OR ENLARGEMENT, OR ANY CHANGE WHATEVER. SIGNATURE(S) GUARANTEED: _____________________________________ THE SIGNATURE(S) SHOULD BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION, (BANKS, STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS WITH MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM), PURSUANT TO S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15.