By Mr. and Mrs. J. J.
Zaveri. Tour to see real factory that is manufacturing American
currency! The world’s leading securities manufacturer.
Located in the heart of
the Nation's Capital, the BEP's Washington, DC Tour and Visitor
Center is a great place to learn all about U.S. paper currency. We
were excited to see millions of dollars being printed, as we walked
along the viewing gallery above, overlooking the production floor.
About an hour experience includes an introductory film, and gallery
tour of the production process.
We could get lots of
information about how money is made (Pun intended). Once inside,
there is information about the institution and its services, such as
coin engraving and money printing, among the designing of the money
and other additional solutions. We saw the printing Intaglio press
right from the blank paper (raw material) to, quality assurance
check, to cutting, automatic packing and so forth. Unforgettable
experience of life time, to see millions of dollars being staked in
front of us. We also learnt history of money, how to recognize fake
money, and what are the main differences with real bills (money).
A question was asked to our tour guide: Q – why it is necessary to
print millions of dollars every day? Ans – 90% - 95% money is given
to bank in exchange of soiled or spoiled notes. Q – What do you do
with the damaged notes? Ans – The serial number is deleted from the
database, the damaged notes are then shredded. The shredded paper is
sold back as souvenir in the exhibition gallery (at the exit), then
he said “we make money out of the shredded money” and we smiled.
Here is a picture showing the outer core of a candle, contains
approximately $500 in real shredded U.S. Currency, bought from the
Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP).
If you are in Washington
DC, you should plan a visit (early morning), to educate yourself
about the advancements and history of our currency. You will get
rare chance to see the BEP’s business in a manner many people would
never be able to experience.
The mission of the
Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) is to design and manufacture
high quality security documents that deter counterfeiting and meet
customer requirements for quality, quantity and performance. As its
primary function, the BEP prints billions of dollars - referred to
as Federal Reserve Notes - each year for delivery to the Federal
Reserve System. The Federal Reserve operates as the nation's central
bank and serves to ensure that adequate amounts of currency and coin
are in circulation. The BEP also advises other Federal agencies on
document security matters. In addition, the BEP processes claims for
the redemption of mutilated currency. The BEP's research and
development efforts focus on the continued use of automation in the
production process and counterfeit deterrent technologies for use in
security documents, especially United States currency.
1685. French Playing
Card Currency in North America.
North America's first
experience with paper money: card money in New France. Apart from
medieval China, the world had never seen government paper money
until the colonial government of Massachusetts emitted a fiat paper
issue in 1690. The only exception was a curious form of paper money
issued five years earlier in Quebec, which became known as "card
money."
Washington, D.C.
formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as
Washington, is the capital of the United States
Museum of News:
Newseum,
Washington D. C. USA. Great learning experience. One can learn how a
real TV studio works in the Newseum TV Studio.
