Treasury Department

Ink, Steel, and Stone: How the BEP’s Move to Independence Avenue Shaped American Currency History

June 15, 2026 by

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing’s relocation from the Treasury Building to its iconic Independence Avenue facility in 1914 was more than a change of address. For collectors, this transition period produced some of the most fascinating and historically significant notes ever printed, with distinct characteristics that remain hotly pursued a century later.

Faces of Money: How the BEP Chose Which Portraits Appeared on Which Denominations

June 15, 2026 by

The portraits on US currency were not chosen by artists or historians alone. Behind every face on every bill lies a fascinating intersection of political maneuvering, aesthetic debate, Congressional pressure, and Treasury Department policy stretching back more than 150 years. Understanding this history gives collectors a richer appreciation for the notes they hold and sharper insight into why certain portrait changes make specific series so collectible.