MILLIONS to SEE in MIDTOWN (10/5/14)

There is five million dollars in fives on a cart just a few feet from Peachtree. It is hidden in plain sight, but most people walk right by it.

Midtown, Atlanta, Georgia is home to the nation’s 12 th Federal Reserve, and the Atlanta Monetary Museum. It’s a ‘Must See’ presented by partners of the Smithsonian Institution.

Yes, there’s money! Plenty of it, in fact. The public is allowed to watch as ample supplies of money are counted, stacked, and neatly tucked away by giant robots, along with the help of some helpful Atlanta Fed worker bees.

Depressingly enough-- -there’s a cart on a display about waist high that contains the cash. You can look at it. You can’t get to it, of course. But it’s something to marvel about…a lot of security goes into keeping it on the cart!

At the museum, a free ticket, by the way-- -you’ll learn about the turbulent history of banking in America. One fascinating exhibit shows the history of money; including bartering, examples of rare coins and currency. Did you know people used to trade rabbits as money?

The museum features a display on the future of money, which seems to imply that the future is in retina scans and eyeball recognition theory. Basically, Debit Cards will be the next wagon wheel to fit squarely in the history of money display.

Interactive, multimedia exhibits explain the Federal Reserve's role in the economy; and don’t miss the view of the bank's automated vault and cash processing areas.

The Atlanta Monetary Museum is located inside of the Federal Reserve Building at 1000 Peachtree Street. The Entrance is in front guarded by the impressive American eagle sculpture. The Eagle, which was completed in 1964, was made in Rome, Italy, by American sculptor Elbert Weinberg. It has a wing span of 16 feet.

Parking is available on 11 th Street. The Museum is open 9-4pm M-F, except holidays. You must go through a security screening to enter, so no guns or Trading Rabbits! The tour takes just over an hour.

-- -- Ray Macon