The entire building, constructed of marble, is majestic and elegant, demonstrating the Federal Reserve's strong financial backing. The Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank is the world's most powerful bank, home to the largest reserves of US dollars and gold. The Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank actually comprises twelve banks and twenty-five regional branches across the United States. Although originally established to stabilize and protect the U.S. banking system, its current primary responsibility is to control inflation. The entrance hall features an exhibition on the story of money. A nearly circular display charts the evolution of money from its origins as an item of exchange to its development into the currency of today. This global exhibition even features early Chinese copper coins, silver coins, and bank notes, which is quite fascinating. The next exhibit showcases how bank employees will perform their duties in the future. The exhibition focuses on the $20 bill, demonstrating how to distinguish genuine bills from counterfeit ones. The large-denomination bills offer a glimpse into larger-denomination US dollars than you've ever seen before. In short, you can see a wide variety of US dollar specimens. Entering the inner room, through half-foot-thick reinforced glass, you can see staff pushing carts of hundred-dollar bills back and forth, machines counting the bills, and so on. The process of producing and destroying old and damaged US dollars is on display here. A large cart of hundred-dollar bills holds approximately $3 million. All operations are monitored by comprehensive surveillance cameras, so anyone attempting to remove the bills to be destroyed would be taking a risk. Near the glass wall is a row of screens where you can select a question from a menu and click on it to receive the answer. You can learn about the US banking system and the Federal Reserve's important role in the US financial sector. Learning about the evolution and policy changes of US banks is a valuable experience. The next exhibit focuses on the challenges facing banks. According to the Federal Reserve's charter, its purpose is to help counter the effects of inflation and deflation and to actively participate in creating an environment that promotes high employment, stable prices, national economic growth, and rising consumer prices. Another important responsibility is to facilitate the safe and efficient flow of funds within the banking system. To date, by encouraging technological innovation in areas such as electronic transfers, the Federal Reserve has significantly improved the efficiency of the payment system. The earliest money transfers were made via telegraph, dating back to 1918. Eventually, the Federal Reserve will move toward a future of paperless or electronic money. Once that happens, its daily duties—replacing old currency and confiscating counterfeit bills—will cease to exist. In the hallway, a giant gold brick stands. The handle on the outside lets you feel its weight and indicates its current dollar value.