The U.S. government printed less money in September compared to August, according Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) figures released on Friday.

643,200,000 U.S. banknotes were manufactured last month worth $4,028,800,000. That compares to 667.5 million notes worth $10.5 billion in August.

While the production pace was just slightly down with some 24 million fewer notes (nearly negated when considering September had one less day than August), the total dollar value of money printed was substantially lower at less than half. The difference between months is mostly due to zero $100 bills produced in September.

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The 2008 Cleveland First Day $2 Single Notes went on sale Wednesday at 7:30 A.M. EDT, and were gone within hours. “Sold-Out” was the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) message that customers saw online Wednesday morning.

With the Cleveland notes having a limited 10,000 quantity, and each in crisp, uncirculated condition with a beginning serial number of “2008xxxxD,” the banknotes were quickly grabbed up — just as this year’s previous Atlanta, New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Dallas and Richmond collector $2 offerings.

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The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) has announced new sale dates of October 1 for the 2008 Cleveland $2 Single Notes and October 20 for the 2008 Philadelphia $2 Single Notes. Both collector notes will be available on their respective days at 7:20 A.M. EDT. Each has a price tag of $7.95.

In May, the BEP delayed Cleveland note sales "due to system maintenance." That was followed in June by a similar announcement delaying Philadelphia notes. The two were actually skipped over with the release of the Richmond $2 singles in late July.

The $2 collector series are extremely popular. Each previous offering from designated Reserve Banks Atlanta, New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Dallas, and Richmond sold out within a few short hours.

The single notes feature:

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The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP), the government agency responsible for printing U.S. currency, reported August production totals on Tuesday that shows a quicker pace.

667,520,000 U.S. banknotes were manufactured in August worth $10,547,200,000. That compares to 576 million notes worth $9.8 billion in July.

Substantially more $1s, $5s, $20s, and $100s were produced for the month while the volume of $10s printed were identical to July’s figures.

In addition, the BEP printed 1.92 million $100 star notes, which are replacements for misprinted notes or certain serial numbers, like 000 000 000. Star notes are generally more desirable to collectors, as they are rarer.

Spread across the 31 days in August and counting weekends and holidays, the BEP averaged more than 21.5 million notes per day with a total daily face value worth about $340 million, which would be enough for every man, woman and child in the U.S. to have slighter over $1.

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The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) is responsible for printing U.S. currency, and their reported July banknotes totals have been released. Note production was substantially lower for the month.

576,000,000 U.S. banknotes were manufactured in July worth $9,766,000,000. That compares to 649.6 million notes worth $15.5 billion in June.

More than $5 billion of the difference came from a reduction of $100s in July. Fewer $5s were also produced while the quantity of $1s, $10s and $20s slightly increased.

Spread across the 31 days in July and counting weekends and holidays, the BEP averaged nearly 18.6 million notes per day with a total daily face value worth $315 million, which would be enough for every man, woman and child in the U.S. to have slighter over $1.

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The 2008 Richmond First Day $2 Single Notes were gone within a few hours of their availability. "SOLD OUT" was the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) message sent to its customers in the middle of Wednesday afternoon.

The Richmond single banknote joins this year’s other $2 collector notes — Atlanta, New York, San Francisco, Chicago and Dallas — that were gone within hours.

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New $20 single collector notes are now available through the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP). The offering is the third and final installment of the Series 2004 $20 Single Notes with each priced at $45.

Available banknotes include those issued from the following Federal Reserve Districts:

• Series 2004 $20 Single Cleveland Note
• Series 2004 $20 Single Richmond Note
• Series 2004 $20 Single Chicago Note
• Series 2004 $20 Single St. Louis Note

The issuance of the Series 2004 $20 note on October 9, 2003 was the first introduction to the subtle background colors for U.S. currency since the 1905 $20 Gold Certificate.

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The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) has announced the sale of 2008 $2 Richmond notes will begin today, July 30, at 7:30 A.M. EDT.

The Cleveland and Philadelphia $2 notes have been passed over, having been placed in a delay mode in May and June so the BEP could complete "system maintenance improvements."

Although these two notes are still not available, the Richmond banknote is with an exception. Online orders are not yet fully automated, like they were in the past.

Customers are directed to download a PDF order form, complete the purchase information, and then e-mail (moneyfactory.sales@bep.treas.gov) or fax (1-888-891-7585) the order to the BEP.

Orders may also be placed via their toll free number 1-800-456-3408.

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The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) was slow in reporting June printed banknote totals, but they picked up the pace in bottom line production numbers.

Today’s released data reflects a manufacturing output of 649,600,000 U.S. banknotes in June worth a total of $15,504,000,000. That compares to 614.9 million notes worth $13.5 billion in May.

More than $1 billion of the difference came from new $20s, as none were printed in May. New $5s also stuck out with a nearly doubling amount.

Spread across June’s 30 days and counting weekends and holidays, the BEP averaged nearly 21.7 million notes per day with a total daily face value worth $516.8 million. Read the rest of this entry »

Today the U.S. Mint released the James Madison Presidential $1 Coin Historical Signature Set™ for a price of $19.95.

This set is the fourth in the series and features:

• A proof James Madison Presidential Dollar,
• an intaglio print of the President from the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP),
• an official James Madison signature, and
• a leather-like folder showcasing the coin, print and signature

The proof coin is brilliant, with a sharp relief and mirror-like background. The frosted foreground gives a special cameo effect.

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