I’m currently reading a book called The History of Money by Jack Weatherford that’s scaring me to death. Reading his chapter about the financial decline of the Roman Empire is like watching today’s news.
Another chapter contains information about the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Washington, DC, the largest producer of security documents in the United States, and it reminded me of the time Ruth and I toured BEP. It’s certainly one of the more interesting free things to do in our national capital, and it’s wise to arrive early during peak season because tickets are required as you can see from the info below that I just copied and pasted from BEP’s website.
Washington, DC Tour Office, 14th and C Streets, S.W., Washington, DC 2022, (866) 874-2330 (toll-free). Free tickets are required for all tours from the first Monday in March through the last Friday in August, on a first-come, first-served basis. The ticket booth is located on Raoul Wallenberg Place (formerly 15th Street). We offer same day tickets only. The Ticket Booth opens at 8:00 a.m. – Monday through Friday, and closes when all tickets have been distributed. Lines form early (some days as early as 5:30 a.m.) and tickets go quickly, most days.
You can also arrange for a tour through your Congressperson. But we didn’t. Ruth and I were just plain lucky to get in on our first try.
Producing millions of dollars regularly is just one of BEP’s functions. Another is printing hand-engraved invitations to the White House. Mine apparently always get lost in the mail, but that’s another subject–the US Postal Service.
Abraham Lincoln began BEP in 1861 with 6 employees and, my, how it has grown. The Fun Fact handout we were given noted that BEP produces 37 million notes a day worth $696,000,000 using 18 tons of ink. Don’t tell anyone in Congress.
Someone asked about the $100,000 bill, and we were told that denominations larger than $100 are only used for bank transfers. We were also informed that the average dollar wears out in less than 2 years but that the $100 bill lasts nine years in circulation.
It’s unbelievable how much you learn in 40 minutes on this excellent tour as you ogle millions of dollars being made and passing below, so near and yet so untouchable. I could go on and on, but it’s better if you just take the tour yourself. You’ll feel richer.
Hank