Philadelphia was the first financial capital of the county. The U.S. Constitution established the minting of coins and creating of legal tender, and Philadelphia has a deep history in making money. For example, check for a "P" on your coins. Those coins were made right here in Philadelphia. Learn everything from how money is made to how it is used by the Federal government.
Before you leave for the trip, introduce the students to vocabulary and events.
Vocabulary
Coin: metal money issued by a government
Currency: paper money issued by a government
Engraving: a method of making an image where the image is cut into a metal sheet or some other hard surface. The surface is then inked. Ink catches in the cuts and, when paper is pressed over the surface, the ink transfers to the paper.
Federal Reserve Bank: a bank owned by the government to hold its money
Legal tender: money authorized by a government
Mint: a place that makes metal money
Money: a medium of exchange, like coins or currency
