The E-Sylum:  Volume 8, Number 50, November 27, 2005, Article 8

GETTING CURRENCY IMAGES FROM THE B.E.P.

In the same issue of MPC Gram (No. 1378) Fred Schwan
discusses the lengthy process publishers must go through
to get approved images of new U.S. currency for publication.

He writes: "One of the last pieces missing from the book
has been images of the $10 Series 2004A notes. The design
was released about two months ago. You have seen pictures
in the numismatic press and possibly even in the general
media.

Of course we wanted to include images of the new design
in the book even if they have not yet been released because,
among other things, the notes might be out by the time that
the book is and certainly will be circulating during most
of the functional life of the catalog.

I went to the BEP web site. You can do the same. Anyway,
I found that some low resolution images are readily
available. These are certainly suitable for reproduction
in newspapers, but not suitable for use in the book. The
site includes information about requesting high resolution
images.  The intended use must be provided. That was no
surprise although it would not do any good if there was no
checking on the requestor. Much to my surprise the process
then required submitting a written request requiring
substantial personal and business information. I jumped
those hoops then was told that it would take a few weeks
for approval.

I must point out that the staff was helpful and stayed
in contact via email. Yesterday I received an email that
the images had been shipped and would arrive via Fedex
today. The sender also explained that after I received
the CD, I would have to call the BEP to obtain the
required password to open the images.

The package arrived today. The CD has nice BEP markings,
a serial number and bar code. It would make a nice addition
to my collection except that the provided documents
demand the return of the CD. Darn.

Everything went OK with the computer, but as promised
a password was required before I could open the thing.
I called the BEP. The person was pleased to hear from me
and had expected the call. The first few tries were
unsuccessful because of the syntax of the password,
but ultimately they extracted two recognizable files
(one each face and back).

I then ran Photoshop and attempted to open the files.
The file for the face opened, easily and quickly. It
also printed without problem. The back however would not
open in Photoshop. I got the same message that was
discussed in the past about the software not allowing
images of paper money! Double darn. I then tried
importing the images into the software being used to
lay out the book (In Design CS).  They BOTH imported
just fine and also print fine.  Fortunately for me the
images were nicely cropped etc so that I only needed
to drop them in."

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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