Visiting the Bureau of Engraving and Printing is one of the most interesting places to visit for both kids and adults. Seriously, where can you actually see millions of dollars being printed.
During your 35 minute tour, you will see the various steps of currency production, beginning with large, blank sheets of paper, and ending with wallet-ready bills. How cool is that? The Washington, D.C. facility is not the only site, the Fort Worth, Texas facility was created to meet increased currency production demands – it opened its doors in 1991.
Fun facts we learned on our tour:
- Crane’s paper is the only supplier to BEP.
- 95% of production is to replace old bills.
- It takes 7-10 years as an apprentice to become a Master Engraver
- Security changes to bills to thwart counterfeiters takes place every 7-10 years
- The largest bill printed is a $100 bill
This tour is a total thumbs up and the tour guides are great at answering questions from both adults and kids. My daughter asked the guide why is money green? His answer is that green ink was most likely readily available at the time they started printing money.
How much is your height worth in dollars?
Fun Fact not mentioned at the BEP. The current Secretary of the Treasury signature appears on currency printed during their tenure. President Obama has nominated his Jacob Joseph “Jack” Lew to be the next Secretary of the Treasury replacing Timothy Geithner.
Here is what1 Million Dollars in $10 Notes Looks Like!
Just in case you haven’t seen it, this is Jake Lew’s signature. The Big Question – Will he continue to sign his signature as he has always done or change it? What do you think?
And my favorite fun fact about the Bureau of Engraving and Printing is their url is moneyfactory.gov. Somebody had a sense of humor when they decided on requesting the domain name. Visit moneyfactory.gov for more fun facts about US Currency and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Location: 14th and C Streets, SW
Washington DC 20228
Tickets: Free
Non- peak months (September – February), tickets are not needed but I recommend arriving early as possible. We arrived at 8:30 am on a cold wintery day when tickets were not required and there were was one tour ahead of us and 50 people waiting for the next one.
Peak months (March – August) – Tickets are need to enter the BEP This is one of the most popular places in DC and while they run tours all day long, tickets can run out by early morning.
Information, directions and hours: http://www.moneyfactory.gov/
Disclosure: NYC Single Mom was not compensated for this post.
I’ve always wanted to go to the BEP! And that’s funny about it’s domain name! Thanks for sharing!