St. Louis Fed Economy Museum Reopens After Two Years

March 28, 2022

Outdoor banners read: Free Economy Museum at the St. Louis Fed

ST. LOUIS — After a two-year hiatus, the St. Louis Fed’s Economy Museum has reopened with a larger exhibit space, featuring digital games, ancient currency, a stock trading pit, counterfeit money and the opportunity to lift a solid gold bar.

“We’ve recently expanded our space to 7,000 square feet, adding exciting new exhibits that help people better understand the role of money in our economy and lives,” said Tom Shepherd, museum director. “We’re delighted to welcome back visitors so they can learn about all things economy and currency.”

During the pandemic-related closure, the museum staff added 1,400 square feet that includes a currency-themed gallery named The Vault. Exhibits include:

The Gold Bar: The Economy Museum is one of the few places in the country where visitors can lift a genuine gold bar. It’s 9.75 inches long, 1.5 inches tall, weighs nearly 28 pounds and is 99.999% pure gold. On loan from the U. S. Mint, the bar is housed in a specially designed case that gives guests the opportunity hold $867,000 of real gold (value of gold bar as of March 28, 2022).
Design Your Own Currency: Add your face to a $100 bill with this digital exhibit. If art is more your speed, you can draw your own currency.
Cash Lab: Learn about the security features of currency and see if you can spot a counterfeit bill seized by the U.S. Secret Service.
History of Money: View rare currencies made from porcelain and glass, plus 4,000-year-old clay tablets.
Art of Cash: This collection highlights some of the largest-denomination notes ever printed, such as Zimbabwe’s $100 trillion note, as well as colorful currencies featuring exotic animals, famous world leaders and a racetrack.
Fed Shreds: Learn what your height is worth in shredded money.
Journey of Money Wheel: Spin the Journey of Money Wheel and learn how money flows through the economy with videos and interactive displays.

The museum also features a gift shop where visitors can pick up a free shredded-money souvenir or purchase other small mementos, such as jewelry, gold bar merchandise, currency-themed items, clothing, books, coins, toys and soap with real money inside.

The museum is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and admission is free. All visitors eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19 are required to be fully up to date on their vaccinations to visit the museum. View Visiting the St. Louis Fed page for more details.

For more information about the museum, call 314-444-7309.