Currency Collecting History

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing’s Public Gallery: A Century of Educating Visitors About American Currency

June 20, 2026June 15, 2026 by

For over a century, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing has opened its doors to millions of curious visitors, offering an unparalleled look at how America’s paper money is designed, printed, and finished. Understanding the BEP’s public tour history adds rich context to any currency collection and reveals the fascinating intersection of security, craftsmanship, and public transparency.

The Black Market and US Currency Abroad: How Cold War Dollar Demand Shaped Post-War Note Survivorship

June 15, 2026 by

Millions of American banknotes vanished into foreign black markets during the Cold War, creating unexpected scarcity patterns that still puzzle collectors today. Understanding how postwar dollar hoarding in Eastern Europe, Asia, and Latin America affected note survivorship can completely change how you evaluate condition rarity versus print rarity.