By: GeneCooper
Image: Gene Cooper, GIGAmacro ⧉

Uploaded: 25 Aug 2009
Last Updated: 25 Aug 2009

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The Department of the Treasury, Bureau of Engraving and Printing, redeems partially destroyed or badly damaged currency as a free public service. Every year the U.S. Treasury handles approximately 30,000 claims and redeems mutilated currency valued at over $30 million. The Office of Financial Management/Mutilated Currency Division, located in the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, uses experts to examine mutilated currency and will approve the issuance of a Treasury check for the value of the currency determined to be redeemable. Here are a few interesting facts related to the tarnished bill above... Currency paper is composed of 25% linen and 75% cotton. Red and blue synthetic fibers of various lengths are distributed evenly throughout the paper. Prior to World War I the fibers were made of silk. Between the Fort Worth, Texas and the Washington, DC Facilities approximately 18 tons of ink per day are used. During fiscal year (FY) 2008, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing produced approximately 38 million notes a day with a face value of approximately $629 million. 95% of the notes printed each year are used to replace notes already in, or taken out of circulation. Have you ever wondered how many times you could fold a piece of currency before it would tear? About 4,000 double folds (first forward and then backwards) are required before a note will tear. The average life span of a $1 bill is 21 months. Information provided courtesy of the US Bureau of Engraving and Printing http://www.bep.treas.gov/