Bureau of Engraving and Printing

Imagine being in the presence of millions of dollars at once. And that is just one thrilling aspect of a tour at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. You'll watch as the millions are printed on what used to be large blank rolls of paper. This tour is rich with history as the same engraving tools are used from 125 years ago. You'll witness this process with the graver, the burnisher, and the hand-held glass in all its fascinating detail. You'll also learn all kinds of money trivia like how long the average 1-dollar bill remains in circulation (only 21 months!) and how many tons of inks it takes per day to replace worn bills. They say the best way to recognize a counterfeit is to study the original. By the end of this tour, you'll feel like an expert.