Does anyone ever remember seeing the documentary on the Discovery channel years back about the process of how paper money is made? I was wondering what the actual name of that documentary was and if it is for sale. I cant seem to find it on their website and would love to see it again. Any help on this would be appreciated. Thanks!!!
Could it be this National Geographic Channel show that you are thinking of? http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/episode/money-factory-2651/Overview Not airing again until August 3rd. Came across it the other day and couldn't wait so I went and found a copy to download. It also goes under the title "Megastructures - Money Factory"
Im actually thinking this isnt it. I think the program I saw was definitely on Discovery, talked about the paper they bring in from a specific mill somewhere up in the Northeast and went through the entire process. This program, however, looks neat also so I thank you for posting it and I will see if I can find this one also. Thanks!!!
When I first clicked on this I was hoping it was about the Discovery Man vs. Wild with Will Ferrill on tonight...it was pretty good.
I definately think it was the How Its Made program, i remember seeing it a while back on discovery and it seems to be exactly what youre describing. Not sure how to get it though...
That is well covered by the Megastructures Money Factory episode I found. To summarize, that episode featured Some moron who counterfeited a bunch of $20's and got caught after spending a $20 trying to play video games in a casino in vegas, A lengthy segment on the paper and mentions that it has been provided by Crane Paper Co. Covers how the paper is made, the watermarks, security threads, etc.. as well as security at the BEP. A segment on engraving, including interview with Thomas Hipshen who I guess is a current engraver at the BEP. A segment on the actual printing process, including how they automatically scan for and detect printing errors. Also some coverage of the COPE process. Then a segment on coins which was actually quite interesting, followed by more on counterfeiting currency and then a segment on shredding and how the BEP replaces damaged currency. Not sure if it's the same show, but is nonetheless very interesting.
History Channel has a few different shows on Paper Money as well. http://www.history.com/minisite.do?content_type=mini_home&mini_id=52493
yes! i remember it and have been trying to find it also with no avail. it covered the federal reserve and showed how they do transfers of gold bars while wearing metal shoes.... have you found it yet?
Discovery Channel shows documentaries?! I thought they just showed people fishing on boats and people stranded in the wild. Wow that must have been before my time...
That's correct. Crane & Co. of Dalton Massachusetts via Wikipedia. And the company History on their corporate web site.
I too believe the OP may be searching for the Modern Marvels series which aired on The History Channel. You can check the Money episode out in a couple of separate clips on YouTube, each video is about 15 minutes long: Money - Part One Money - Part Two Money - Part Three I'll have to view this again to see if the gold moving clip mentioned is in this documentary, but they do cover the gold rush and various aspects of the Treasury's history. In Modern Marvels - Money, banknote paper begins to be discussed in Part 2 at 5:20 minute mark. Additionally, The National Geographic Channel often runs an episode of Explorer called, The Secret History of Gold (preview). You may have seen the metal boots in this program. They often run this show when PM prices rise, on long weekend holidays or other times suitable for a gold rerun. There is a segment on YouTube here.
Some reading this thread may also be interested in this a story from a while back on currency production. It's not video but it goes into the production of the "new" $100 notes: Behind the scenes with the next-gen $100 bill via CNET [July 1, 2010] The photo gallery is at the bottom of the page, scroll down for a series of 25 images.
One more to share, if you are interested in the history of US paper currency... This is a link to another CoinTalk thread I started some time back. Just follow the links to the CSPAN video: BEP Historical Resource Center: Video Tour from CSPAN3
As is the actual recipe for the rag/linen paper pulp mix, the components that define the hue of the colors of ink and plenty of other secrets to keep these securities secure.
