Money, Money, Everywhere…
Today in 1792, the U.S. Mint was established by an act of Congress with the Coinage Act of 1792. The first mint, was established in Philadelphia, with additional mints located in Denver, San Francisco, West Point, NY and the U.S. Bullion Depository at Fort Knox, KY.
The role of the mint is to produce not only domestic coins for public circulation (about 30 billion coins annually), but also commemorative medals, proof and uncirculated sets for collectors.
The other government department involved in creating money is a Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) which is responsible for printing all of the paper currency and postage stamps for the U.S. The BEP also produces engraved invitations for the White House, treasury securities government identification cards, and naturalization certificates.
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Washington, DC offers a 45-minute tour of their printing facility where you can watch various denominations of money being printed and stand only feet from millions of dollars in currency.
In 2005, the Bureau printed over 3.5 billion $1 and $20 bills, and over 500 million $5, $10, and $100 bills.
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
14th & C Streets, SW
Washington DC 20228
Dates and Times – weekdays only and run every 15 minutes between 9:00 a.m. and 10:45 a.m., and 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. From May through August, additional tours run from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
For tour information or possible closure due to Homeland Security code of orange or visit the online guide or call 1-866-874-2330.
Tickets – free, but first-come, first-served tickets are required (March – August). The ticket booth opens at 8:00 a.m. and closes when all tickets have been distributed for the day. Tickets can go quickly, often within an hour, so plan on arriving early if possible.
The Visitor Center is open from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., with extended summer hours until 7:30 p.m.
Nearest Metro Subway Station – Smithsonian Station – Blue and Orange line – use the Independence Ave. exit at 12th Street.
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[...] to be confused with the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, where visitors can watch as millions of dollars gets printed, the Treasury Building is the [...]